How to get prescribed adderall without insurance

Adderall is a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, which is a sleeping disorder. It is a prescription medication that can become costly without insurance. On average, it costs $284.54 for thirty tablets of 20mg name brand Adderall. This price can be affected by the dosage strength, taking a generic brand, and if the medication is immediate or extended-release.

Prescription medications can get expensive, especially if you are buying them each month. When your insurance isn’t cutting it, Mira is here to help. For as low as $45 per month, Mira members can get up to 80% off over 1,000 different medications like Adderall. Sign up today to see where you can save. 

The Cost of Adderall

We collected information online from different pharmacies across the country to find a good cost estimate for Adderall. Since Adderall is a prescription medication, it cannot be obtained over the counter, which ultimately makes it a more expensive drug.

Without insurance, we found that it costs around $284.54 for thirty tablets of 20mg brand name Adderall. These costs were obtained online and may vary depending on where you live and which pharmacy you go to. The cheapest option for Adderall was found at Walgreens for $215.28. 

Cost of Adderall Without Insurance at Major Pharmacies

Pharmacy

Cost Without Insurance (20 mg, 30 tablets)

CVS

$293

Rite Aid

$333

Walgreens

$215.28

Costco

$295

Giant Pharmacy

$307

Kroger Pharmacy

$297

Giant Eagle Pharmacy

$268

Weis Pharmacy

$268

Source: GoodRx

Adderall Safety Disclaimer 

Adderall is one of the most misused drugs used to treat ADHD. Some medical providers may prescribe this medication for off-label use to treat anxiety, depression, or even weight loss. By misusing this drug, you could potentially experience serious cardiovascular problems and even sudden death. It is crucial to only use this drug for what it is intended for. 

It is also very common for Adderall to be sold or given away to other people, which is against the law. You should never take or buy Adderall from a source other than your doctor or pharmacy. Adderall purchased from other sources could be both unsafe and unreliable, leading to potential health problems. 

Although the ‘street price’ of Adderall may be cheaper than purchasing from a pharmacy, getting Adderall from other sources can be extremely dangerous. 

There are other ways to save money on an Adderall prescription, like MiraRx. MiraRx is a service that provides up to 80% off on over 1,000 different prescription medications, including Adderall. For only $45 per month, members will receive access to discounted prescription medications as well as low-cost urgent care visits and same-day lab testing. 

Factors that Influence the Cost of Adderall

There are many factors that can influence the cost of an Adderall prescription. Prices are not always transparent, and you may not be aware of the cost upfront, so it's important to note what may be affecting the cost of your medication. Some factors that may influence the cost of Adderall include using a brand name, the dosage, and if you are taking immediate versus extended-release. 

Generic vs. Brand Name

In general, brand-name medications are much more expensive than generic medications. The FDA estimates that generic drugs can cost up to 85% less than their brand-name counterpart. Generic drugs are exactly the same as brand-name drugs and go through the same testing and approval process. They have the same safety, dosage, and effectiveness as the brand-name medication on the market. You should never be wary of taking a generic drug, and it's a great option for saving money on many prescriptions. 

Below is a comparison of the cost of generic and brand name Adderall at different pharmacies. As expected, the generic medication is much cheaper than the brand name. The average cost of brand name Adderall is about $285, while the average cost of the generic counterpart is about $61.

Cost Comparison of Generic and Brand Name Adderall

Source: GoodRx

How to get prescribed adderall without insurance

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Adderall is available in many different doses, which are prescribed for different reasons. Doctors will typically prescribe the lowest dosage when first starting an Adderall prescription. The strength can be adjusted depending on the severity of the condition and if it seems to be relieving symptoms of ADHD or narcolepsy. 

The dosage may also vary depending on the age of the patient. Children are typically given a lower strength prescription than adults. 

Below is a cost comparison of different doses of brand-name Adderall. Adderall doses are available in: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. The cheapest dosage for 30 tablets of name brand Adderall is 7.5 mg, averaging at $264.34. On the other hand, the most expensive dosage for 30 tablets of name brand Adderall is 10 mg, averaging at $310.57. 

Cost Comparison of Different Adderall Doses

Pharmacy

Cost of 5 mg

Cost of 7.5 mg

Cost of 10 mg

Cost of 12.5 mg

Cost of 15 mg

Cost of 20 mg

Cost of 30 mg

CVS

$294

$259.12

$294

$302

$294

$293

$294

Rite Aid

$335

$259.12

$333

$302

$333

$333

$336

Walgreens

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

$205.48

$215.28

$220.85

Costco

$299

$259

$297

$302

$287

$295

$296

Giant Pharmacy

$298

$259

$307

$302

$287

$307

$307

Kroger Pharmacy

$297

$296

$297

$302

$297

$297

$297

Giant Eagle Pharmacy

$298

$259.12

$323

$302

$287

$268

$322

Weis Pharmacy

$298

$259

$323

$302

$287

$268

$265

Source: GoodRx

Immediate vs. Extended Release

The final factor that may affect the cost of an Adderall prescription is if the drug is immediate release or extended-release. The above prices have all been for immediate release (IR) Adderall, which is typically taken multiple times a day. It lasts around four to six hours.

Extended-release (XR) Adderall is typically taken only once a day in the morning, as it should last throughout the entire day. Like IR Adderall, your doctor will typically prescribe the lowest dosage possible to start and adjust accordingly. 

Below is a cost comparison between generic brand Adderall IR and Adderall XR. On average, Adderall XR is much more expensive than IR, averaging at $191 for 30 tablets of a 20 mg prescription. The cheapest option of Adderall XR was found at Costco for $69. 

Cost Comparison of Adderall IR vs. Adderall XR

Pharmacy

Adderall IR Cost Without Insurance (20 mg, 30 tablets)

Adderall XR Cost Without Insurance (20 mg, 30 tablets)

CVS

$46

$200

Rite Aid

$54

$200

Walgreens

N/A

N/A

Costco

$34

$69

Giant Pharmacy

$53

$217

Kroger Pharmacy

$52

$184

Giant Eagle Pharmacy

$91

$201

Weis Pharmacy

$95

$266

Source: GoodRx

Adderall Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If your doctor is suggesting that taking Adderall may be a good option for you, you may have several questions and concerns. Below are the answers to some common questions about Adderall. 

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a combination drug of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It has been an FDA-approved drug since 1996 and is commonly used to treat both ADHD and narcolepsy. The drug works by stimulating neurotransmitters in the brain to release increased levels of adrenaline, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Together, these work together to relieve symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy, including inattention, impulsivity, and the inability to stay awake. 

How to get prescribed adderall without insurance

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The type of Adderall you are prescribed will determine when you will take it throughout the day. If your doctor prescribes you Adderall IR, you will take it one to three times a day, taking your first dose sometime in the morning. Consecutive doses should be taken every four to six hours. You may take adderall with or without food. 

If your doctor prescribes you Adderall XR, you should take it sometime in the morning, as taking it later in the day could affect your sleeping patterns. You can also take this with or without food, but it should remain consistent. These capsules should be swallowed whole, not crushed or chewed. This could cause the effects of the drug to be released at once, rather than what they are intended for. 

What are ADHD and narcolepsy?

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is a very common neurodevelopmental disorder in children. Although most commonly diagnosed in children, many adults are diagnosed later in life as well. Symptoms may present differently in all people, but they can have a significant effect on school, work, daily tasks, and even relationships with others. Adderall is a common treatment for ADHD, as well as therapy. 

Some common symptoms of ADHD include:

  • Poor planning
  • Mood swings
  • Squirming or fidgeting
  • Forgetting/losing things frequently
  • Difficulty dealing with stress
  • Trouble multitasking
  • Poor time management
  • Making careless mistakes

Sources: CDC & Mayo Clinic

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that can also be treated with Adderall. Individuals with narcolepsy experience extreme drowsiness and may find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time. Some of the symptoms of narcolepsy include:  

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy)
  • Sleep paralysis
  • Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
  • Hallucinations

Source: Mayo Clinic

Does Adderall help with anxiety or depression?

No, Adderall does not help with anxiety or depression. In fact, the side effects of Adderall can increase symptoms of these two disorders. According to the FDA, people with a history of depression or bipolar disorder should not take Adderall. It is possible for this medication to interfere with antidepressants or anxiety medications. 

There are other medications you can take to treat anxiety and depression. Therapy may be a great option to help manage these conditions as well. 

Are there risks to taking Adderall?

There are many potential risks to taking Adderall. As stated above, developing symptoms of anxiety or depression may occur. Therefore, it is always important to discuss the risks and benefits of taking Adderall with your doctor before beginning to take this prescription medication. Other potential side effects include:

  • Insomnia
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Stroke
  • Panic attacks
  • Loss of appetite
  • Addiction

Does Adderall change your personality?

If Adderall is used for an extended period of time, it may have an effect on your mood and behavior, especially if you are taking it in high doses. This could put a strain on relationships with other people and other aspects of your life. If you are feeling the adverse effects of Adderall, speaking with a therapist or your doctor may help to ease these symptoms. 

Bottom Line 

Adderall is a commonly used drug to treat both ADHD and narcolepsy. As a prescription medication, Adderall can become costly if you don’t have insurance. On average, it costs $284.54 for 30 tablets of 20 mg Adderall IR. This cost can be affected greatly by using a generic versus name brand, the dosage taken, and if it is extended or immediate release. You should make sure to only take adderall for what it is intended for and to always purchase from a pharmacy. 

If you cannot afford your Adderall prescription, Mira is here to help. For only $45 per month, you’ll receive up to 80% off on your medication, as well as low-cost urgent care visits, and same-day lab testing. Don’t wait any longer, sign up for Mira today.