DEXEDRINE SPANSULE vs RITALIN LA

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. DEXEDRINE SPANSULE and RITALIN LA are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	DEXEDRINE SPANSULE	RITALIN LA
Rating	70/100	68/100
Pharmacy pays	~$29.94 /30	~$18.94 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Impax	Sandoz
Dosage forms	Capsule, extended release	Capsule, extended release
Drug class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	Boxed warning
Half-life	—	about 2.7 hours
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

dexedrine spansule ritalin la

Rating

70/100

68/100

Pharmacy pays

~$29.94 /30

~$18.94 /30

Type

Active ingredient

DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Impax

Sandoz

Dosage forms

Capsule, extended release

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Boxed warning

Half-life

—

about 2.7 hours

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Dexedrine Spansule or Ritalin La?

By our independent rating, Dexedrine Spansule scores higher — 3.5 vs 3.4 out of 5 for Ritalin La. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Dexedrine Spansule or Ritalin La?

Ritalin La costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $18.94 vs $29.94 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Dexedrine Spansule and Ritalin La?

Dexedrine Spansule contains Dextroamphetamine Sulfate, while Ritalin La contains Methylphenidate Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.