RussiaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

Europe

Last checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record

Russia treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 3 are not allowed in at all, 1 has no published rule we could find and 3 need only your prescription.

Serious penalties: Russia prohibits carriage of any substance in 'List I' of its legislation; only Lists II and III may be carried for treatment. Both an export certificate (from your country of residence) and an import certificate (Russia) are required, plus a certified Russian translation of foreign-language documents. Amphetamine-type ADHD stimulants and some codeine products may map to prohibited/tightly-controlled tiers. Confirm against Russian Government Decree No. 681.

ActionA written answer from Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 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 Russia records specifically for that medication.

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Not named: Unclear
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is not named in Russia's law (Government Decree 681, Lists I to IV, government.ru pages 1 to 6), so no rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Banned
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is on List I of Government Decree No. 681 (psychotropic substances section, listed as Метилфенидат (риталин)), and Russia's traveller table prohibits List I substances outright. No certificate route exists for it. Do not bring it in.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Banned
Dexamfetamine is not named in Government Decree No. 681, but it is on List I through the entry 'Амфетамин и его производные' (amphetamine and its derivatives) and the List I note that brings in stereoisomers of listed substances. (Levamfetamine, the other isomer, is listed separately in List III.) Russia's traveller table prohibits List I substances outright. No certificate route exists for it. Do not bring it in.
Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; however Russia maintains its own 'potent substances' list, so verify status and carry a prescription with a certified Russian translation.
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Banned
Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall) are on List I of Government Decree No. 681 (psychotropic substances section, listed as Амфетамин и его производные, with the List I note covering the salts of listed substances), and Russia's traveller table prohibits List I substances outright. No certificate route exists for it. Do not bring it in.
Intuniv (guanfacine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.
Qelbree (viloxazine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.

Rules by drug class

Narcotic (opioids)

Permit required

Quantity: No official traveller quantity is published
Permit: Required. An export certificate from the country of residence AND an import certificate for Russia are both required for the specific substance; no numeric limit is published. List I substances are prohibited.
Documents: prescription, home authority certificate, import permit, customs declaration

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Banned

Quantity: No fixed day limit stated; amount must match the prescription/medical documents. Only substances in Lists II and III of Russian legislation may be transported for treatment; List I substances are prohibited.
Permit: No permit or certificate is available for this medicine. Russia's certificate route applies only to medicines in Lists II and III of its controlled list, and this medicine is in List I, which may not be brought in.

Not internationally controlled

Prescription

Atomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; however Russia maintains its own 'potent substances' list, so verify status and carry a prescription with a certified Russian translation.

If a country asks for a certificate from your own health authority

Australia does not issue export certificates for personal medication. There is no Australian office that endorses a traveller's certificate the way a Schengen country's health authority endorses an Article 75 certificate. The Office of Drug Control licenses commercial exporters, and the TGA regulates products rather than certifying individual travellers, so neither will stamp your paperwork.

What to do instead: ask your prescriber for a signed letter on practice letterhead giving your name and passport number, each medicine by generic and brand name, strength, daily dose, total quantity and the dates it covers, plus the prescriber's registration number and contact details. Have it dated close to departure, and carry the original dispensing labels.

Then contact the destination's authority in writing before you book, say plainly that Australia does not issue the certificate they ask for, and ask what they will accept in its place. Keep the reply. A written answer from the authority is the strongest document you can carry, and it is the only thing that closes this gap.

Connecting through Russia

ADHD stimulants may not be carried through Russia. Russian law lets a patient in transit carry only List II and III medicines for treatment (Federal Law 3-FZ, article 32). ADHD stimulants are in List I, so the ban applies when you connect through Russia as well. The law makes no exception for staying airside. Nothing is published on connecting through Russia with atomoxetine, guanfacine or viloxazine.

Responsible authority

Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

127994, Moscow, Rachmanovski per. 3/25 p.1,2,3,4; Tel: +7 495 628-44-53; Fax: +7 495 628-50-58; E-mail: info@minzdrav.gov.ru; Web: https://minzdrav.gov.ru

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

Russia 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 Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 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 Russia embassy or consulate before travelling.