GuyanaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
South AmericaLast 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 — 3 to 10 years' imprisonment, doubling toward life if aggravated — with no published personal-medical or traveller exemption, and 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.
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)Unclear
The Act's Second Schedule, Part II names Amphetamine, Dexamphetamine, Methamphetamine, Methylphenidate, Phencyclidine and Phenmetrazine as controlled psychotropic substances, so methylphenidate and dexamfetamine are domestically scheduled. As with opioids, no personal-use, medical or traveller exemption, quantity allowance or application form is published. CANU's declare-or-risk-arrest warning is written for travellers transiting Guyana; no arrival-specific sentence is published. Contact CANU or the Food and Drugs Department before travelling.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Dexamphetamine (dexamfetamine)Unclear
The same rule as Vyvanse 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 Vyvanse 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
- Not published. No traveller permit or application route for personal ADHD-stimulant medication is published.
Not internationally controlled
PrescriptionAtomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; treat as ordinary prescription medicines. Carry prescription and original packaging.
Responsible authority
Guyana Food and Drug Department (Ministry of Health); Guyana Revenue Authority (Customs)
Sources
The source 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
A doctor's letter for Guyana, 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 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 Guyana embassy or consulate before travelling.