FDA pharmacologic class
Stimulants
7 medicines are in FDA's class of central nervous system stimulants (stimulants): methylphenidate (Ritalin), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin), caffeine, dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), amphetamine (Dyanavel) and methamphetamine; 10 combination products also contain one. 16 of the 17 are listed from generic labelers (FDA NDC Directory, October 8, 2026). The lowest pharmacy cost is migraine 250-250-65 mg cplt at $0.0648 per unit (NADAC).
Which medicines are stimulants?
| Medicine | Brand names | Generic labelers (all forms) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage | Recalls since 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methylphenidate | Metadate, Relexxii, Ritalin | 31 labelers | $0.158 per tablet 10 mg tablet | Yes | In shortage | 55 |
| Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine | Adderall, Mydayis | 25 labelers | $0.233 per tablet 10 mg tablet | Yes | In shortage | 23 |
| Acetaminophen and aspirin and caffeine | Excedrin | 39 labelers | $0.0648 per unit 250-250-65 mg cplt | No | No current entry | 3 |
| Lisdexamfetamine | Vyvanse, Arynta | 19 labelers | $2.44 per capsule 20 mg capsule | Yes | In shortage | 11 |
| Dexmethylphenidate | Focalin | 13 labelers | $1.45 per capsule 10 mg capsule | Yes | No current entry | 2 |
| Caffeine | none listed | 7 labelers | $0.083 per tablet 200 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Acetaminophen and butalbital and caffeine | Fioricet, Butal | 35 labelers | $0.122 per tablet 50-325-40 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry | 2 |
| Dextroamphetamine | Xelstrym, Dexedrine, Zenzedi | 14 labelers | $0.373 per tablet 10 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry | 24 |
| Amphetamine | Adzenys, Dyanavel, Evekeo | 13 labelers | $0.449 per tablet 10 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine and codeine | none listed | 5 labelers | $0.798 per capsule 50-325-40-30 mg capsule | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Aspirin and butalbital and caffeine | none listed | 5 labelers | $0.948 per capsule 50-325-40 mg capsule | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Aspirin and caffeine and orphenadrine | Norgesic, Orphengesic | 3 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Aspirin, butalbital, caffeine and codeine | none listed | 4 labelers | $1.00 per capsule Ascomp with codeine capsule | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Caffeine and ergotamine | Cafergot, Migergot | 3 labelers | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Dexmethylphenidate and serdexmethylphenidate | Azstarys | none listed | $14.40 per capsule 26.1 mg-5.2 mg capsule | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Methamphetamine | none listed | 3 labelers | $5.10 per tablet 5 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Acetaminophen and caffeine and dihydrocodeine | Trezix | 1 labeler | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
Source: FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (NDC Directory, openFDA); CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA shortages and recalls (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay?
Each medicine's most widely listed form, per unit, in the NADAC survey: what pharmacies paid, not what a patient pays; strengths differ, so compare like with like.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price