Dominican RepublicTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
North AmericaLast checked 20 Jul 2026Low confidence: check with the embassyHow we rate a record
Dominican Republic treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 4 have no published rule we could find and 3 need only your prescription.
Serious penalties: Carrying methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts or an opioid medicine into the Dominican Republic without a medical prescription risks the medicine being held at the border. The official passenger protocol makes the prescription mandatory for medicines that contain controlled substances. It also says an import permit from DIGEMAPS, applied for through the VUCE single window, is required if a product contains substances under special control, if the quantity is more than personal use, or if an inspector decides one is needed.
We could not find strong recent official guidance for this country. Contact the embassy or consulate directly before you travel.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Dominican Republic records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Not named: Unclear
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is not named in Dominican Republic's law (Ley 50-88, art 8, Categories I to V, Ministry of Health copy, PDF pages 9 to 26), so no rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear
explicitly scheduled, Ley 50-88 Categoría II
- Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Unclear
Controlled by the express words of Ley 50-88, Category II, Acápite II item 1 ('amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers and their salts'): dexamfetamine is amphetamine's dextro optical isomer. The law's definitions also list Dexedrina among the stimulants.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; carry a prescription or doctor's letter and keep in original packaging.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Unclear
Controlled by the express words of Ley 50-88, Category II, Acápite II item 1 ('amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers and their salts'): mixed amphetamine salts are salts of amphetamine and its optical isomers.
- Intuniv (guanfacine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.
- Qelbree (viloxazine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.
Rules by drug class
Narcotic (opioids)
Unclear- Quantity
- Protocol requires only a 'reasonable' quantity for the trip; no number published for controlled-substance medicines.
- Permit
- Not published.
- Documents
- prescription, customs declaration
- In force
- Since 1 December 2024.
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Unclear- Quantity
- Same 'reasonable quantity' language as narcotics; no ADHD-stimulant-specific number published.
- Permit
- Required. The Dominican Republic's passenger protocol (customs and the health regulator DIGEMAPS, December 2024) lets travellers bring prescription medicines for personal use and says a medical prescription is mandatory for medicines that contain controlled substances. The same protocol says a DIGEMAPS import permit for personal consumption products, applied for through the VUCE single window with your passport, applies when the quantity is more than personal use, when an inspector decides one is needed, and also 'if the products contain substances under special control'. It does not say clearly whether 'special control' means these medicines, so we show the permit as required. The protocol gives no processing time. Ask DIGEMAPS before you travel.
- Documents
- prescription
Not internationally controlled
Prescription- Quantity
- No number is set, but the quantity must be reasonable for personal use during the trip or stay, in line with the length of stay and the dose. If inspectors see an excessive quantity they may hold the medicine and require an import permit.
Responsible authority
Direccion General de Aduanas (DGA); Ministry of Public Health; immigration authorities
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.
- Protocolo para el manejo de productos de consumo personal que ingresan a la República Dominicana a través de pasajerosGovernment, 2024-12
- Manual del Viajero · DGA · República DominicanaGovernment
- Productos Controlados > DIGEMAPSGovernment
- Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances, as amended (Ministry of Health copy): import licence, arts 29 and 40, pages 34 and 40; amphetamine isomers and methylphenidate in Category II, page 19; lisdexamfetamine not listedGovernment, 1988-05-30
- Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances (National Drugs Council copy, 1988 text): blocked to automated checks; Category II on the Ministry of Health copy, page 19Government
- Bienvenidos a la Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior de la República Dominicana - VUCERDGovernment
- Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances (law firm copy; use the Ministry of Health copy): amphetamine and methylphenidate in Category II, page 13Secondary, 1988-05-30
- Country Regulations for Travellers under the International Drug Control ConventionsTreaty body
Your trip pack
Dominican Republic needs a permit before you fly. The pack works out your apply-by date from your travel date.
We have not found an application form or portal for travellers here, so the pack gives you Direccion General de Aduanas (DGA); Ministry of Public Health; immigration authorities to contact, what to put in the request, and how long to allow. Plus a doctor's letter pre-filled with your medications and every stop, and a checklist in travel order.
Build your trip packThis 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 Dominican Republic embassy or consulate before travelling.