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SingaporeTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

Asia

Last checked 24 Jul 2026High confidenceHow we rate a record

Singapore treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 4 need approval before you arrive and 3 need only your prescription.

Serious penalties: Severe (capital) drug penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act; Fourth-Schedule substances (cannabis, cannabinols, mescaline, psilocybin) absolutely prohibited.

ActionHealth Sciences Authority (HSA) approval, applied for at least 14 days before you arrive
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By medication

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

  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Permit requiredmax 90 days' supply

    Same HSA approval rule.

  • Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Permit requiredmax 90 days' supply

    The same rule as Vyvanse above.

  • Dexamphetamine (dexamfetamine)Permit requiredmax 90 days' supply

    The same rule as Vyvanse above.

  • Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription

    Atomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; up to a 3-month supply of non-controlled medicines is generally allowed without a permit, but check the HSA ingredient classification tool.

  • Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Permit requiredmax 90 days' supply

    Appendix A names the ingredient 'Amphetamine', not the Adderall brand or salt-mixture term interpreted

  • 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
90 days. Up to 3 months' doses, tied to itinerary
Permit
Required. Apply at least 14 days ahead. Prior HSA approval; apply ≥2 weeks before arrival.
Documents
prescription, doctor letter, medication photos, customs declaration

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Permit required
Quantity
90 days
Permit
Required. Apply at least 14 days ahead. Same prior-approval rule.
Documents
  • Prescription
    • A pharmacy dispensing label, a prescription or a doctor's letter is accepted, as long as it shows both your name and the prescriber's.
    • Must state: the generic (INN) name of each medicine, not just the brand, the strength of each medicine, your daily dose, the total quantity you are carrying.
    • Translation into English required.
  • Certificate from the destination's authority: HSA approval email
    • HSA emails the approval to you. Carry it: officers can ask for it at the checkpoint.
    • Must be issued or approved by the destination's health authority before you travel.
  • Photographs of your medication
    • Uploaded with the online application, not carried at the border. Photos must show the product name, active ingredients, strength, directions and the quantity dispensed.
    • Must state: the generic (INN) name of each medicine, not just the brand, the strength of each medicine, the total quantity you are carrying.
  • Original packaging
    • Each medicine in its original container, with the pharmacy label showing your name, the medicine and the quantity.

Connecting through Singapore

Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) explicitly exempts direct airside transit from its medication-approval requirement. The HSA personal-medications page states verbatim: 'You do not need an approval from us for carrying personal medications if you are only transiting through Singapore without clearing the Singapore immigration (i.e. staying only within the transit zone).' HSA distinguishes this 'personal medications' category (which includes controlled/prescription-only substances that would otherwise need prior HSA approval to bring into Singapore, e.g. methylphenidate, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine) from a separate, narrower 'prohibited medications' list, which the same page says remains banned even in the transit zone ('prohibited medications are NOT allowed to be brought in, even if you are not clearing immigration'). Since methylphenidate, amphetamines and lisdexamfetamine sit in Singapore's controlled-but-permit-approvable category (not the outright-prohibited category) for entry purposes, HSA's own transit carve-out applies to them: travellers who stay airside and do not clear immigration do not need the pre-approved HSA permit that would otherwise be required to enter Singapore with these medicines. The page does not enumerate methylphenidate/amphetamine/lisdexamfetamine by name in the transit paragraph itself, so travellers should still keep medication in original packaging with a copy of the prescription as good practice, but no HSA approval/permit is required purely for staying in the transit area of Changi Airport.

If you clear immigration: If you clear Singapore immigration for a connection or overnight layover (any landside transit), this is legally equivalent to entry. The full HSA prior-approval requirement applies: apply to HSA at least 2 weeks before travel, for up to 3 months' supply.

Staying airside, never clearing immigration:
no approval needed. HSA says no approval is needed if you stay inside the transit zone and never clear immigration. The exception is medicines Singapore prohibits outright, which are cannabis-based; no ADHD stimulant is on that list.
Clearing immigration for a layover:
the full entry rules apply. The transit exemption is written to cover people who stay airside, so clearing immigration puts you back under the full approval requirement.
Overnight layover, leaving the airport:
the full entry rules apply. An overnight stay inside the transit zone still counts as airside. Leaving the airport means clearing immigration, which needs the approval.
Changing airports:
no official guidance found, so assume the full entry rules apply. Not addressed by HSA. Changi's terminals connect airside so this rarely arises.
Checked bag travelling without you:
no official guidance found, so assume the full entry rules apply. Not addressed. HSA's guidance assumes you are carrying the medicine yourself.

Responsible authority

Health Sciences Authority (HSA)

hsa_ptm@hsa.gov.sg; +65 6866 1111

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.

Application forms and portals

1 form for Singapore, found and organised with your apply-by date in the trip pack.

A$19

Plus a doctor's letter pre-filled with your medications and every stop, the deadline counted back from the day you fly, and a checklist in travel order.

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Common questions

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 Singapore embassy or consulate before travelling.