GuyanaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

South America

Last checked 20 Jul 2026Low confidence: check with the embassyHow we rate a record

Guyana 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: Guyana criminalises unauthorised possession of any scheduled narcotic or psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act (section 4(1)), with a more serious offence for possession in or near a school, a public place or a place where children gather (section 4(2)). Possession on a prescription from a practitioner registered in Guyana is exempt (section 4(3)(b)); a prescription from a doctor registered only overseas does not meet that exemption, and there is no traveller exemption. Importing a controlled drug without a licence falls within the Act's definition of trafficking (sections 2 and 5). CANU warns travellers transiting Guyana that an undeclared controlled prescription medicine may result in arrest.

We could not find strong recent official guidance for this country. Contact the embassy or consulate directly before you travel.

ActionA written answer from Guyana Food and Drug Department (Ministry of Health); Guyana Revenue Authority (Customs) naming your medication, before you book

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By medication

Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Guyana records specifically for that medication.

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Not named: Unclear
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is not named in Guyana's law (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10, First and Second Schedules, pages 114 to 124), so no rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear
Guyana lists amphetamine, dexamfetamine and methylphenidate as controlled psychotropic substances (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Second Schedule, Part II, page 123). Under the Act, possession is an offence unless you hold a licence or authorisation from the Minister, or the medicine was prescribed by a practitioner registered in Guyana (section 4(3), page 20). A prescription from a doctor registered only in another country does not meet that exemption. Bringing a controlled drug into Guyana without an import licence falls within the Act's definition of trafficking. The only licence process in the law is written for trade importers. No exemption, quantity allowance or application form for travellers is published, and no official source says how the Act is applied to a visitor's own prescribed medicine. The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) warns travellers transiting Guyana that controlled prescription medicine not declared to customs may result in arrest. Contact CANU or the Food and Drugs Department before travelling.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Unclear
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; treat as ordinary prescription medicines. Carry prescription and original packaging.
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Unclear
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
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: No traveller quantity or personal-use allowance for a narcotic (opioid) is published by CANU, the Food and Drugs Department or GRA Customs.
Permit: Not published. No traveller permit or application route for personal opioid medication is published. The only Food and Drugs Department import-permit process found (GRA's pharmacy tax-exemption route) is for pharmacies, not travellers.
In force: Since 1988.

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Unclear

Quantity: No traveller quantity is published for methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts or lisdexamfetamine.
Permit: Required. The Act allows import or possession only under a licence or authorisation from the Minister (section 23; Regulations, regulation 27). The only application process in the law is a trade import licence. No permit, form or processing time for travellers is published.

Not internationally controlled

Prescription

Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; treat as ordinary prescription medicines. Carry prescription and original packaging.

Connecting through Guyana

Section 18 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10, forbids bringing any controlled drug into Guyana in transit, whether or not it is landed or transhipped, unless it is moving between countries where its export and import are lawful and it is accompanied by a valid export authorisation. This covers the ADHD stimulants on the Act's Second Schedule. The only exceptions (section 18(6)) are post, aircraft that fly over Guyana without landing, and ships' or aircraft medical stores; there is no exception for passengers. The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) advises travellers transiting Guyana to declare the medicine to customs. Contact CANU before connecting through Guyana.

Responsible authority

Guyana Food and Drug Department (Ministry of Health); Guyana Revenue Authority (Customs)

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.

Your trip pack

Guyana needs a permit before you fly. The pack works out your apply-by date from your travel date.

A$59

We have not found an application form or portal for travellers here, so the pack gives you Guyana Food and Drug Department (Ministry of Health); Guyana Revenue Authority (Customs) 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 pack

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 Guyana embassy or consulate before travelling.