IranTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

Asia

Last checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record

Iran treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 3 come in on paperwork with a supply cap, 1 has no published rule we could find and 3 need only your prescription.

Serious penalties: Drug trafficking is among the most serious criminal offences in Iran, and controlled substances are heavily criminalised. Its 2025 INCB submission does describe a working traveller rule for prescribed controlled medicines, but it names no individual substance, and amphetamine-type stimulants are strongly associated with illicit methamphetamine there. Confirm your specific medicine in writing with the IFDA and an Iranian mission before you travel.

ActionA doctor's certificate naming you, the medication, the dose and the length of treatment, covering no more than 180 days' supply

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By medication

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

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Not named: Unclear
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is not named in Iran's law (Law on Psychotropic Substances 1975, Lists 1 to 4 as replaced by Cabinet decree of 4 December 2005), so no rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Restrictedmax 180 days' supply
Iran permits all three ADHD stimulant classes with a prescription and original, FDA-approved packaging, presented at customs, with quantity tied to length of stay.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Restrictedmax 180 days' supply
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; bring with a prescription in original, intact packaging. No specific Iran ban found, but medicines should be original FDA-approved products with full documentation.
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Restrictedmax 180 days' supply
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)

Prescription

Quantity: 180 days. Only the amount needed to cover your stay; beyond 6 months you must see a physician in Iran for an extension
Permit: Not required. No traveller import permit is published and none is asked for. What the table requires is a valid medical prescription, and the original prescription produced at customs on arrival.
Documents: prescription, original packaging

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Restricted

Quantity: 180 days. Amount for length of stay; beyond 6 months requires an Iranian physician's involvement.
Permit: Not published. No Iranian permit is published for a traveller's own medication; the quantity is tied to the length of stay. Beyond about six months the route is an Iranian physician's involvement rather than an import permit.

Not internationally controlled

Prescription

Atomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; bring with a prescription in original, intact packaging. No specific Iran ban found, but medicines should be original FDA-approved products with full documentation.

Responsible authority

Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) - Iranian Controlled Substances Authority (contact: A. Abdollahiasl, Pharm.D., Ph.D.)

Tel: +98-21-66405591; Fax: +98-21-66466918; email: ICSA@fda.gov.ir

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

A doctor's letter for Iran, filled in with your medications and your stops, ready to sign.

A$59

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 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 Iran embassy or consulate before travelling.