BrazilTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
South AmericaLast checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record
Brazil treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 5 come in on paperwork with a supply cap and 2 need only your prescription.
Serious penalties: Carrying a controlled medicine without a prescription, or in a quantity beyond individual use, is an offence; Portaria 344/98 lists F and E are proscribed outright. Buying or posting a controlled medicine into Brazil is a separate act (importacao) that is prohibited for lists A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C2 and C5 except by ANVISA's exceptional authorisation, a route built for patients in Brazil with a Brazilian prescriber and not for a traveller's own supply.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Brazil records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Restrictedmax 30 days' supply
Methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are registered in Brazil (Ritalina, Concerta, Venvanse), so no question of an unregistered medicine arises. Carry the prescription and a doctor's letter; keep the medicine in its dispensed packaging.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Restrictedmax 30 days' supply
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Restrictedmax 30 days' supply
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Restrictedmax 60 days' supply
Atomoxetine is not internationally scheduled, but Brazil controls it: it is on List C1 of Portaria 344/98 (other substances under special control), item 10 in the current list (RDC 999/2025, Annex I, page 7). Travellers may carry it in or out only with a medical prescription, in a quantity sufficient for their individual use (Portaria 6/1999, art. 64). Keep it in its original packaging.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Restrictedmax 30 days' supply
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Intuniv (guanfacine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; carry with a normal prescription in original packaging.
- Qelbree (viloxazine)Prescription
The same rule as Intuniv above.
Rules by drug class
Narcotic (opioids)
Restricted- Quantity
- 30 days. Brazil's INCB submission (ANVISA GPCON, 2016): lists A1 and A2 narcotics, a quantity enough for a maximum of 30 days of treatment, or 5 ampoules. Art. 64 of Portaria 6/1999 frames the same limit as 'a quantity sufficient for individual use'. For more, contact ANVISA before travel.
- Permit
- Not required. No prior authorisation for a traveller carrying their own prescribed medicine with the prescription (Portaria 6/1999 art. 64). ANVISA's exceptional-import authorisation in SEI is for importing a medicine into Brazil, not for carrying one; it needs a Brazilian prescriber.
- Documents
- prescription, doctor letter, original packaging
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Restricted- Quantity
- 30 days. Brazil's INCB submission (ANVISA GPCON, 2016): list A3 and B2 psychotropics, which is where methylphenidate, the amphetamines and lisdexamfetamine sit, a quantity enough for a maximum of 30 days of treatment, or 5 ampoules; list B1, 60 days. For more, contact ANVISA before travel.
- Permit
- Not required. Methylphenidate (list A3) and the amphetamines (A3/B2) are covered by the same art. 64 rule: prescription, quantity for individual use, no prior authorisation for a traveller's own supply. ANVISA's importacao page prohibits importing A3/B2 medicines except by exceptional authorisation; that page governs buying or posting a medicine into Brazil and does not mention travellers.
- Documents
- prescription, doctor letter, original packaging
Not internationally controlled
PrescriptionAtomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; carry with a normal prescription in original packaging.
Responsible authority
National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), Management of Controlled Drugs (GPCON)
e-mail: med.controlados@anvisa.gov.br, rel@anvisa.gov.br; Phone: +55 61 3462 5429; Fax: +55 61 3462 5879; www.anvisa.gov.br
Sources
The sources behind everything above, so you can check it yourself rather than take our word for it. Always confirm the current rule with the source before you travel.
- Regras de bagagem: medicines in accompanied baggage for personal use (ANVISA ports, airports and borders)Government, 2024-03-28
- Importação de medicamentos sujeitos a controle especial por pessoa física (exceptional-import authorisation via SEI; not the travel rule)Government, 2020-10-02
- Lei 11.343/2006, the Drugs Law (current text): drugs are the substances in the Portaria 344 lists, art. 66; carrying them without authorisation is an offence, art. 33Government, 2006-08-23
- Portaria SVS/MS 6/1999, rules implementing Portaria 344 (official AnvisaLegis text): travellers may carry controlled medicines only with a prescription, art. 64Government, 1999-01-29
- Portaria SVS/MS 344/1998, controlled substances regulation: travellers need a copy of the prescription, art. 32 para 2; seizure without it, art. 33; its 1998 lists are supersededGovernment, 1998-05-12
- ANVISA RDC 999/2025, Portaria 344 lists update 97: amphetamine, dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate in List A3, page 4; unchanged through RDC 1.036/2026Government, 2025-11-24
- Viagem com medicamentos: consular page sending travellers to ANVISA and med.controlados@anvisa.gov.brGovernment, 2023-01-25
- INCB Travellers table: Brazil (ANVISA GPCON submission: prescription; 30 days for lists A1, A2, A3, B2; 60 days for B1)Treaty body, 2016
- Portaria SVS/MS 6/1999, rules implementing Portaria 344 (CFF copy): travellers carry controlled medicines with a prescription, for individual use, art. 64, page 13; no transit ruleSecondary, 1999-01-29
Your trip pack
A doctor's letter for Brazil, filled in with your medications and your stops, ready to sign.
The rules above are free and stay free. The pack is the paperwork that goes with them: a checklist for each stop in travel order, a printable PDF, and the letter to take to your GP.
Build your trip packCommon questions
This page organises publicly available government information and links. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules change and enforcement varies, so always confirm with the official sources above or the Brazil embassy or consulate before travelling.