FOCALIN vs RITALIN LA

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 21, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. FOCALIN 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	FOCALIN	RITALIN LA
Rating	68/100	68/100
Pharmacy pays	~$46.03 /30	~$18.94 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Sandoz	Sandoz
Dosage forms	Tablet	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	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

focalin ritalin la

Rating

68/100

Pharmacy pays

~$46.03 /30

~$18.94 /30

Type

Active ingredient

DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Sandoz

Dosage forms

Tablet

Capsule, extended release

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Boxed warning

Half-life

—

about 2.7 hours

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Focalin or Ritalin La?

Focalin and Ritalin La are tied at 3.4 out of 5 by our independent rating.

Which is cheaper, Focalin or Ritalin La?

Ritalin La costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $18.94 vs $46.03 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 Focalin and Ritalin La?

Focalin contains Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride, 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.