can you tell me how much you pay for your meds and where?

[picklerick1215]

hi I got diagnosed last week, I went privately after a year of sending numerous referalls and getting nowhere. I was prescribed methylphenidate 5mg. I was just wondering if you can tell me how much you pay for it and where you buy it from, just so I can get price ranges and pick one (cheapest) thanks

[marvelousmatt]

Hi Picklerick,

As far as i know, you can get your prescription from any high street pharmacist, e.g. Boots.

But as for cost, with private prescriptions, it depends on the number of pills, the brand of pill and the dose.

For example;

-10mg Methylphenidate generic (no brand), will cost less than 10mg Methylphenidate as Ritalin brand.

-5mg of Methylphenidate, generic, will cost less than 10mg Methylphenidate, generic.

-10 pills, cost less than 20.

So whatever it costs you now, as you titrate to a higher dose the pills will be more expensive. when you finally reach an effective dose that you're happy on, you should try to get your ongoing prescriptions from the NHS (I think it's called a 'shared care agreement'), then you'll just pay the standard prescription charge.

Also, In my experience, some pharmacists don't have it, or don't have enough of it, on site. so they might need to order it in for you, which can take a few days.

As for cost, i've tried to look back at bank statements to work out how much it costs... But i've only found totals, not specifics.

5mg methylphenidate, generic, is not that expensive, compared to other ADHD drugs like Concerta, if you get it from Boots you might pay £20-£40 depending on how many pills you need.

Anyway, good luck with it.

Once you've bought them, tell us how much you had to pay, it could be helpful to other people to have a precise figure.

Also, 5mg is the starting dose, it's not very strong, so if it doesn't make a huge difference immediately, don't get too down about it!

Matt