FOCALIN vs RITALIN-SR

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 23, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. FOCALIN and RITALIN-SR 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-SR
Rating	68/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$46.03 /30	~$18.94 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Sandoz	Novartis
Dosage forms	Tablet	Tablet, extended release
Drug class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	None
Half-life	—	about 2.7 hours
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

focalin ritalin-sr

Rating

68/100

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$46.03 /30

~$18.94 /30

Type

Active ingredient

DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Sandoz

Novartis

Dosage forms

Tablet

Tablet, extended release

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Boxed warning

None

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-SR?

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

Which is cheaper, Focalin or Ritalin-SR?

Ritalin-SR 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-SR?

Focalin contains Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride, while Ritalin-SR 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.