How Much Does Ritalin Cost?
Ritalin is a Schedule II controlled substance used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other attention disorders. The cost of prescription Ritalin depends on the pharmacy and insurance, but on average, it is $5 per 5 mg pill. Due to the addictive nature of Ritalin, doctors may hesitate to prescribe the medication or refuse to offer the medication as an initial treatment. This could push people to purchase Ritalin on the streets.
Street Ritalin costs $10 or more per pill, depending on the location, supply, and demand. However, possessing Ritalin without a prescription carries a steep penalty, including jail time.
If you or a loved one has an addiction to prescription Ritalin, Zinnia Health can help. Contact our experts at (855) 430-9439 to learn how our residential addiction programs can help you achieve sobriety for good.
What Is the Average Cost of Ritalin?
Like Adderall, Ritalin is a prescription medication that helps bring relief to those with disorders like ADHD and narcolepsy. At a pharmacy, the price of Ritalin depends on the:
- Manufacturer
- Strength
- Location
On average, Ritalin can cost anywhere from $1 to $5 per pill. Some health insurance plans fully cover the cost or offer a cheaper prescription.
Some people purchase large quantities of Ritalin, believing that taking more than one will work better. This makes selling Ritalin very lucrative, albeit criminal. The street value of one Ritalin pill can be as much as $10 or more.
People who purchase Ritalin on the streets are more likely to come in contact with other illegally sold pharmaceuticals like Valium, Vicodin, Vyvanse, Percocet, oxycodone, and Xanax.
What Factors Drive the Cost of Ritalin?
How much street dealers charge for Ritalin is solely up to them. They could charge $10 one day and $20 the next. However, the price has held steady, mainly due to a low demand for the drug on the street.
Factors that drive the current price include:
- Location
- Dose
- Operational risk
Due to the recent one-dose Ritalin shortage, street prices could increase.
How Much Does Ritalin Cost in Other Countries?
The street price of Ritalin varies, depending on supply and demand. Purchasing Ritalin in other countries may have steep penalties, such as revocation of your visa and even jail time.
According to StreetRx, in the United Kingdom, Methylphenidate is £5 to £30 for a 10 mg pill on the street.
The price for Ritalin in Canada isn’t listed, though the penalties for carrying Ritalin without a prescription are.
According to Canada.ca, controlled prescriptions like Ritalin must be prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or nurse practitioner. The label must include directions for use, patient information, and the pharmacy that provided the medication.
You must also declare this medication to customs when arriving in Canada or leaving Canada. By not doing so, you risk being charged with illegally possessing a controlled substance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Does Ritalin Look Like?
Prescription Ritalin comes in various sizes and colors depending on the manufacturer. However, all prescription Ritalin has identifying markers, such as the manufacturer’s name and dose imprinted on the front and back of each pill.
Counterfeit Ritalin pills can look like the real thing. Often, they contain the same markings, making them nearly impossible to distinguish from real ones. However, counterfeit Ritalin may contain dangerous additives such as cleaning products or even drugs like fentanyl.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid responsible for over 70,000 overdose deaths in the United States. Some fentanyl is so potent that a brief exposure can cause an overdose.
The only way to know that the Ritalin you’re receiving is genuine is to purchase it from a pharmacy with a physician’s prescription.
If you’re unsure whether the Ritalin you have is genuine, consult your pharmacist or a healthcare professional.
What Is the Legal Status of Ritalin?
The prescription drug Ritalin is a methylphenidate that falls under the classification of stimulants. Stimulant medications increase activity in the brain and body.
When used appropriately, Ritalin is quite helpful in improving focus and impulse control. This is why students and those working long hours are tempted to use Ritalin. However, using Ritalin without a prescription can cause adverse effects, including addiction.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Ritalin is a Schedule II controlled substance due to its higher-than-average potential for abuse. Despite this classification, Ritalin remains legal in the United States with a legitimate physician’s prescription.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) states that abusing Ritalin is illegal. Abuse includes using Ritalin in a manner that is not prescribed, such as crushing and snorting the pills or using more than recommended on the bottle.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Diversion Control Division states that federal law prohibits buying controlled substances, such as Ritalin, without a valid prescription. Buying Ritalin without a prescription is punishable by a fine and imprisonment.
Are you tempted to purchase Ritalin without a prescription? If so, you may be struggling with prescription drug abuse. Drug addiction treatment programs like supervised detox, 12-step, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you address and overcome the addiction. For more information, contact Zinnia Health’s free phone number at (855) 430-9439.
Why Is Street Ritalin Dangerous?
Ritalin affects neurotransmitters in the brain, which results in a release of dopamine and norepinephrine. This combination enhances focus and improves concentration. Using more than recommended may result in an elevated heart rate and blood pressure and increased agitation.
Other side-effects of street Ritalin abuse include:
- Cardiovascular complications
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
When a doctor writes a Ritalin prescription, they consider the patient’s age, weight, and condition. Without medical intervention, there is no way to tell how much Ritalin a person should take. This makes buying Ritalin on the streets dangerous.
How Much Ritalin Does a Person Need?
How much Ritalin a person needs depends on the severity of their condition. Medical professionals may prescribe enough for 30 days before reassessing the patient to see if they need more. If a physician feels that their patient no longer needs Ritalin, they may prescribe a less addictive alternative or refer the patient to a different type of treatment.
This may cause a person to purchase Ritalin on the streets. People who buy illicit Ritalin do so at a much smaller quantity due to its inflated price.
On the streets, Ritalin is sold by the pill, which is typically in milligrams.
How Is Street Ritalin Used?
Street Ritalin is available in tablet form, though users may not ingest the tablet. For faster delivery, some users crush Ritalin pills into powder before snorting or mixing it with liquid to inject it.
Buying Ritalin powder is risky and may contain additives such as household cleaning products or other dangerous substances.
Getting Help for Addiction
Abruptly quitting Ritalin can result in withdrawal symptoms, such as agitation and nervousness. If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping Ritalin, contact your healthcare provider or Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439. Our substance abuse treatment options are designed to simultaneously address mental health conditions and addiction.