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Key takeaways
Azstarys treats ADHD by combining serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate to help to increase alertness and focus.
The monthly cost of Azstarys without insurance can be more than $500.
There is no generic version of Azstarys available.
Azstarys may be covered by insurance, but definite coverage details and costs vary by plan.
Azstarys is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 and older. It is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that contains two active ingredients: serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate. Since dexmethylphenidate has the potential for abuse and misuse, Azstarys is a controlled substance, and the Food and Drug Administration requires Azstarys to be sold with a boxed warning. The cost of Azstarys without insurance can vary depending on the dosage and pharmacy location.
RELATED: ADHD medication and children
How much does Azstarys cost without insurance?
At the time of publication, the average retail price for a one-month supply of Azstarys—30 capsules containing 39.2 mg serdexmethylphenidate and 7.8 mg dexmethylphenidate each—is $571, which is about$19 per pill. Annually, this can add up to $6,852.
Is there a generic for Azstarys?
Currently, there is no generic version of Azstarys. “It is a brand-name-only medication made by Corium,” says Sid Khurana, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and medical director of outpatient services at Nevada Mental Health in Las Vegas.
Azstarys was FDA approved in 2021. An analysis of patents and regulatory protections suggests that the earliest potential generic availability is 2037.
Is Azstarys covered by insurance?
Azstarys coverage depends entirely on whether your health insurance plan lists it on its drug formulary or the list of CNS stimulants covered by the plan. Some insurance plans require additional information from the prescribing healthcare provider before covering Azstayrs. According to Corium, the manufacturer of Azstarys, 160 million people have commercial insurance coverage for Azstarys, although it doesn’t share any information about how much they pay out of pocket for the drug.
Compare Azstarys prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Azstarys (serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate) | $571 per 30, 39.2 mg/7.8 mg capsules of Azstarys | $382 per 30, 39.2 mg/7.8 mg capsules of Azstarys | See latest prices |
| Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) | $48 for 30, 5 mg tablets of Focalin | $5 for 30, 10 mg tablets of generic Focalin | See latest prices |
| Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate extended-release) | $521 for 30, 10 mg extended-release capsules of Focalin | $41 for 30, 10 mg extended-release capsules of generic Focalin | See latest prices |
| Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) | $569 for 30, 70 mg capsules or chewable tablets of
Vyvanse |
$74 for 30, 30 mg capsules of generic Vynase | See latest prices |
| Ritalin (methylphenidate) | $196 for 90, 20 mg tablets of Ritalin | $3 for 60, 10 mg tablets of generic Ritalin | See latest prices |
| Concerta (methylphenidate extended-release) | $643 for 30, 36 mg extended-release tablets of Concerta | $34 for 30, 36 mg tablets of generic Concerta | See latest prices |
| Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) | $404 for 30, 20 mg tablets of Adderall | $18 for 60, 20 mg tablets of generic Adderall | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get Azstarys without insurance
It’s not easy for the average person to afford expensive brand-name medications without insurance. There is no patient assistance program for Azstarys, but there are other ways to save on an Azstarys prescription, even if you do not have insurance.
Here are a few ways to save money on Azstarys without insurance.
1. Use a SingleCare discount card
A SingleCare prescription discount card may help reduce the out-of-pocket cost of Azstarys. For instance, instead of paying around $571 for 30 capsules, someone with a SingleCare discount card could pay $382 at participating pharmacies. That’s a savings of $2,268 per year.
2. Consider alternative ADHD medications
There are no generic or over-the-counter alternatives to Azstarys, however, there are other FDA-approved medications for ADHD. For example, switching to generic Focalin XR with a SingleCare prescription discount card could mean paying $41 instead of $571 per month for ADHD treatment. Anyone struggling to afford Azstarys without insurance should ask a prescribing healthcare provider for additional information and medical advice regarding alternatives.
RELATED: Adderall alternatives
There are alternative ADHD medications available at lower costs compared to Azstarys. “Alternatives include Focalin and Focalin XR, which are available in generic form and are similar,” Dr. Khurana says. “These medications are often covered by insurance and can be relatively cheaper for out-of-pocket costs.”
RELATED: Azstarys vs. Vyvanse
3. Compare prices at different pharmacies
Retail prices for Azstarys vary by pharmacy location. Websites like SingleCare may help you find the lowest price available in a town or in your area. Calling ahead to check prices at different pharmacies may also save hundreds of dollars annually.
4. Consider getting insurance
One of the best ways to save on Azstarys is to get health insurance. ADHD typically requires long-term treatment.
“A manufacturer coupon can help with copays or annual costs for the first year,” Dr. Khurana explains. However, there is no Azstarys coupon, copay savings card, or program for uninsured patients on Azstarys.
Even obtaining insurance that does not cover Azstarys can help. The manufacturer of Azstarys, Corium, offers a copay card for eligible commercially insured patients. If you have insurance that doesn’t cover Azstarys, you could pay as little as $60 per prescription with the copay. If your insurance does cover Azstarys, you could pay as little as $15 per prescription.
Sources
- Corium launches innovative ADHD treatment AZSTARYS™ (serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate) in the U.S. for patients age 6 years and older, PR Newswire (2021)
- Azstarys drug patent profile, DrugPatentWatch, thinkBiotech (2024)
- Azstarys savings and support, Corium (2024)
