Methylphenidate Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Methylphenidate	Rexulti (brexpiprazole)	Bupropion	Enter another drug to compare

Methylphenidate

Rexulti (brexpiprazole)

Bupropion

Prescription only

Methylphenidate can help improve symptoms of ADHD but may cause dependence and side effects include a headache, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. It is recommended that methylphenidate should not... View more

Prescription only

Rexulti is an atypical antipsychotic that may be used to treat adults with schizophrenia or depression, or used to relieve agitation associated with dementia in Alzheimer's disease. Most people... View more

Prescription only

Bupropion may be used in the treatment of depression or as an aid to smoking cessation; however, side effects may include insomnia, neuropsychiatric adverse events, or seizures. It carries a black... View more

More about Methylphenidate

More about Rexulti (brexpiprazole)

More about Bupropion

Ratings & Reviews

Methylphenidate has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 1082 ratings on Drugs.com. 61% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 17% reported a negative effect.

Rexulti has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 490 ratings on Drugs.com. 54% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 26% reported a negative effect.

Bupropion has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 2900 ratings on Drugs.com. 60% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 20% reported a negative effect.

View all 1082 reviews

View all 490 reviews

View all 2900 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

Loss of appetite (14.3%)
Anxiety (14.0%)
Depression (9.7%)
Insomnia (9.2%)
Headaches (6.7%)
Irritability (5.3%)
Mood swings (4.3%)

View all Methylphenidate side effects

Weight gain (21.8%)
Anxiety (9.4%)
Insomnia (7.8%)
Restlessness (6.5%)
Tiredness (6.1%)
Increased appetite (4.7%)
Depression (4.5%)

View all Rexulti side effects

Anxiety (16.4%)
Insomnia (11.6%)
Headaches (7.2%)
Sexual dysfunction (6.2%)
Irritability (6.2%)
Depression (5.6%)
Loss of appetite (5.6%)

View all Bupropion side effects

Drug Class

CNS stimulants

Atypical antipsychotics

Generic Availability

Lower cost generic

Lower cost generic approved

Lower cost generic

Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance

Quantity	30 each
Strength	10 mg
Per unit^*	$0.64
Cost^*	$19.22

View all Methylphenidate prices

Quantity	30 tablet
Strength	0.25 mg
Per unit^*	$54.27
Cost^*	$1,628.03

View all Rexulti prices

Quantity	30 each
Strength	150 mg/24 hours
Per unit^*	$1.44
Cost^*	$43.19

View all Bupropion prices

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Dosage Forms

Oral capsule, extended release
Oral solution
Oral tablet
Oral tablet, chewable
Oral tablet, extended release

Oral tablet

Oral tablet
Oral tablet, extended release

Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

4 hours

91 hours

30 hours

CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms

High potential for abuse

Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category

Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Summary unavailable.

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 207 drugs are known to interact with Methylphenidate:

23 major drug interactions (100 brand and generic names)
173 moderate drug interactions (730 brand and generic names)
11 minor drug interactions (33 brand and generic names)

A total of 600 drugs are known to interact with Rexulti:

136 major drug interactions (610 brand and generic names)
461 moderate drug interactions (1715 brand and generic names)
3 minor drug interactions (9 brand and generic names)

A total of 559 drugs are known to interact with Bupropion:

218 major drug interactions (951 brand and generic names)
336 moderate drug interactions (1872 brand and generic names)
5 minor drug interactions (16 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

Do not use alcohol or medications that contain alcohol while you are receiving treatment with... View more

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of brexpiprazole such as dizziness... View more

Using buPROPion with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

December 05, 1955

July 10, 2015

December 30, 1985

WADA Class View classifications

S6 - Stimulants

N/A

More Information

Patient Resources

Methylphenidate uses

Rexulti uses

Bupropion uses

Professional Resources

Prescribing information

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Methylphenidate Alternatives Compared

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