ADHD Medications Around the World: Brand Names by Country

Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet, Rubifen: the same active ingredient, sold under a different name in every country. Here is what your medication is called where you are travelling.

ADHD medication brand names: why the name on your packet changes at every border

The active ingredient in your tablet does not change when you land. The name on the packet almost certainly does. A traveller carrying methylphenidate prescribed as Ritalin may walk into a Spanish pharmacy asking for Ritalin and be told it does not exist there, because Spain sells the immediate-release formulation as Rubifen.

This guide maps the generic names to the brand names you will actually encounter, country by country. It covers methylphenidate, amphetamine-based medications, lisdexamfetamine, and atomoxetine across the regions where travellers most commonly run into confusion.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Medication availability, brand names, and scheduling status change. Verify current rules with your prescriber, the destination country's drug regulator, and your embassy before you travel.

Methylphenidate: the same molecule, a dozen brand names

Methylphenidate is the most widely prescribed ADHD medication globally. The INN (International Nonproprietary Name) is methylphenidate, and it appears on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines^[1]. Despite that, no single brand dominates internationally.

Europe

In Germany, methylphenidate is sold as Ritalin (immediate-release), Medikinet (immediate and modified-release), and Concerta (extended-release OROS). In France, Ritalin is the principal brand, and methylphenidate is classified as a narcotic^[2] under French law, requiring a specialist-issued controlled prescription.

Spain sells immediate-release methylphenidate as Rubifen, not Ritalin. Concerta (extended-release) is also licensed in Spain^[3] but has faced documented supply shortages since 2024. Portugal stocks Ritalin and Concerta. The Netherlands uses Ritalin and Medikinet.

In the United Kingdom, Ritalin, Equasym (immediate-release), Medikinet, and Concerta XL are all available. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) classifies methylphenidate as a Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.

Asia-Pacific

Japan is the most restrictive destination for methylphenidate travellers. Concerta is the only methylphenidate brand approved in Japan^[4], and it was delisted for ADHD in 2007 before being relisted in 2013. Ritalin exists in Japan but is licensed only for narcolepsy. If you are travelling to Japan with ADHD, see our dedicated guide to learn what you can and cannot bring.

South Korea stocks Concerta and Metadate (extended-release) through hospital-affiliated pharmacies. Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) oversees Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Concerta, and Rubifen in that market. In India, Ritalin is available at licensed pharmacies under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, which controls methylphenidate under Schedule X.

Thailand sells Concerta and Ritalin as Category 2 psychotropics under the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518. Indonesia classifies methylphenidate as a Group II psychotropic under Government Regulation No. 44 of 2010, and stocks it under the brand Prohiper at hospital pharmacies.

The Americas

Mexico stocks Concerta and Ritalin at major pharmacy chains such as Farmacias del Ahorro and Farmacia Guadalajara. Both require a local prescription; a foreign prescription cannot be used for an in-country refill under COFEPRIS rules.

Argentina stocks Ritalin and Concerta through ANMAT-registered pharmacies. Canada sells Ritalin, Biphentin (methylphenidate modified-release), and Concerta. Brazil uses Ritalin and Ritalina (the Portuguese-language label) as well as Concerta.

Amphetamine salts (Adderall): available in fewer countries than you expect

Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and widely prescribed in the United States and Canada. Outside North America, it is either banned outright or simply not registered for sale. For more information, see our previous article on countries where Adderall is banned.

Japan bans amphetamines under the Stimulants Control Act with no medical exemption. Thailand classifies amphetamine as a Category 1 narcotic under the Narcotic Drugs Act B.E. 2522. Indonesia lists it as a Category I narcotic under Law No. 35 of 2009. Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, and Australia have not approved Adderall for sale. No local alternative carrying the Adderall brand name exists in those markets.

If you take amphetamine salts and are travelling outside North America, you need a plan before departure. Your prescriber can assess whether a switch to methylphenidate or atomoxetine is clinically appropriate for the duration of your trip.

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse / Elvanse): the brand split that confuses travellers most

Lisdexamfetamine is sold as Vyvanse in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. The same molecule is sold as Elvanse in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. France approved lisdexamfetamine in 2025 under the brand name Xurta^[5], dispensed as a narcotic requiring specialist initiation.

Portugal dispenses lisdexamfetamine as Elvanse, requiring a local psychiatrist's prescription. Spain does not have Vyvanse or Elvanse listed; the medication is not approved by AEMPS for that market.

Thailand and Indonesia ban lisdexamfetamine. Japan does not have it registered. Malaysia classifies it under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If you carry Vyvanse or Elvanse into any of those countries, you are carrying an unregistered or banned substance at the border.

Atomoxetine (Strattera): the non-stimulant with fewer border complications

Atomoxetine is not a controlled substance under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. That makes it logistically simpler to carry across borders than stimulant-based options. It is prescription-only in every market where it is approved.

Strattera is the brand name in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Brazil. Spain and Portugal sell it as Strattera as well. The UAE classifies atomoxetine as a controlled substance under Federal Decree No. 14 of 1995, requiring a Ministry of Health permit for import.

China stocks atomoxetine as Strattera at licensed hospitals. India stocks it under the Strattera brand at select private pharmacies, but supply is inconsistent outside major cities.

The documentation problem: brand name mismatches at customs

Customs officers check the name on your packet against the name on your prescription. If those do not match, you can face delays even if the substance is identical. This happens most often when a traveller's home pharmacy labelled the packet with the generic name but the destination country only recognises the brand, or vice versa. All methylphenidate products are controlled substances under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, so customs scrutiny is real.

The practical fix is to carry a doctor's letter that states the INN (International Nonproprietary Name), the brand name in your home country, the daily dose, and the duration of your trip. Ask your prescriber to include the phrase 'for personal medical use during travel'.

Some countries require more than a letter. Japan requires a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (import confirmation certificate) from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for quantities of methylphenidate above a one-month supply. Germany requires a Schengen certificate for Schedule III psychotropics crossing into or out of Schengen area countries. Prepare these documents at least four weeks before departure.

Quick-reference brand name table

The table below maps the generic name to the brand name you are most likely to find, by country. 'Not registered' means the drug is not approved for sale; it does not necessarily mean it is banned.

Methylphenidate IR (immediate-release): Germany: Ritalin, Medikinet. France: Ritalin. Spain: Rubifen. UK: Ritalin, Equasym. Japan: Ritalin (narcolepsy only). Australia: Ritalin, Rubifen. Mexico: Ritalin. Brazil: Ritalina. India: Ritalin. Thailand: Ritalin. Indonesia: Prohiper.

Methylphenidate ER (extended-release): Germany: Concerta, Medikinet retard. France: Concerta. Spain: Concerta. UK: Concerta XL. Japan: Concerta. South Korea: Concerta. Australia: Concerta. Mexico: Concerta. Canada: Concerta, Biphentin.

Lisdexamfetamine: USA: Vyvanse. Canada: Vyvanse. Australia: Vyvanse. Brazil: Vyvanse. UK: Elvanse. Germany: Elvanse. Ireland: Elvanse. Denmark: Elvanse. France: Xurta. Portugal: Elvanse. Spain: not registered. Japan: not registered. Thailand: banned. Indonesia: banned.

Atomoxetine: USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, China: Strattera. UAE: Strattera (import permit required).

Carry your IPS before you travel

An International Patient Summary (IPS) lists your medications by INN, dose, and prescriber. It is readable by healthcare professionals in any country and can be shown at a pharmacy or border checkpoint when your brand name does not match. Build your medical record on Nomedic before you travel so you always have your current medication list in a format that crosses language barriers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring Adderall to Japan?

No. Amphetamine (the active ingredient in Adderall) is banned in Japan under the Stimulants Control Act with no medical exemption. There is no permit process that allows import. Speak to your prescriber about alternatives before you travel.

Is Ritalin available in Spain?

Ritalin is not sold under that brand name in Spain. The immediate-release methylphenidate equivalent in Spain is Rubifen, dispensed from a psychiatrist's prescription. Concerta (extended-release) is licensed but has faced supply gaps since 2024.

What is Vyvanse called in the UK?

Lisdexamfetamine is sold in the UK as Elvanse, not Vyvanse. It is classified as a Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and requires a specialist prescription.

What ADHD medication can I get in Australia if I run out?

Australia's TGA approves Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Concerta, Rubifen, Vyvanse, Strattera, and several generics. You will need a local prescription from an Australian-registered psychiatrist to access them. Bring sufficient supply for your trip plus a letter from your prescriber in case of delays.

Does Germany use the same brand names as the UK for methylphenidate?

Partly. Both Germany and the UK stock Concerta and Ritalin. Germany also dispenses Medikinet (immediate and modified-release), which is not available in the UK. The UK additionally offers Equasym, which is not sold in Germany.

Is atomoxetine (Strattera) easier to travel with than methylphenidate?

For most destinations, yes. Atomoxetine is not scheduled under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, so it does not trigger the same customs controls as methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine. The exception is the UAE, which classifies atomoxetine as a controlled substance and requires an import permit.