Is Methylphenidate a Generic Ritalin LA?

No -- methylphenidate is the active ingredient in Ritalin LA (and in several other medications), but is not a generic version of the medication. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off-patent and another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.