Lisdexamfetamine in Brazil: Vyvanse Controls, Permits and Access

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a controlled substance in Brazil. Bring your full supply with documentation before you fly.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, classified under Portaria SVS/MS 344/1998, Class A3 by ANVISA
Prescription required: Yes, a notarised prescription from a licensed Brazilian physician is required for local dispensing
Available locally: Yes, sold as Vyvanse at licensed pharmacies with a valid Brazilian prescription
Storage: Room temperature, 15–30°C, away from moisture and direct light
Max supply to carry: 30-day supply maximum for controlled substances; bring your full trip supply with documentation
Key document: Doctor's letter in Portuguese (or with certified translation), original prescription, and original pharmacy packaging
Emergency alternative: Contact a private psychiatrist in a major city (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília) for a local prescription; methylphenidate is available locally as a fallback if your prescriber agrees.

Lisdexamfetamine in Brazil: what changes when you travel

Lisdexamfetamine, sold globally as Vyvanse (in Brazil, the US, Canada, and Australia) and as Elvanse (in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Ireland), is classified under ANVISA's List A3 of psychotropic substances under Portaria SVS/MS 344/1998. Brazil dispenses lisdexamfetamine at licensed pharmacies, but only against a Brazilian-issued prescription on a notarised pad.^[1]

This guide covers the controlled-substance classification, documentation you must carry, customs rules, local pharmacy access, and what to do if your supply is lost or runs out while you are in Brazil.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Documentation for travelling to Brazil with lisdexamfetamine

Because lisdexamfetamine is a List A3 controlled psychotropic under Portaria SVS/MS 344/1998, Brazilian federal health law requires that any dispensing at a local pharmacy be done against a notarised two-part prescription issued by a licensed Brazilian prescriber.^[1]

Your home-country prescription cannot be used to refill locally, so you must arrive with your full supply. Carry a detailed doctor's letter to explain the medication at customs and to any treating physician if something goes wrong. For a full checklist of import documentation, see our ADHD in Brazil guide.

What your doctor's letter must include

Full legal name; medication name as both INN (lisdexamfetamine) and brand (Vyvanse); dose and daily frequency; total quantity carried; diagnosis (single condition name); doctor's full name, signature, and registration number (CRM equivalent in your country); clinic name and letterhead. For Brazil, carry a certified Portuguese translation alongside the original-language letter.

Brazil does not require an apostille on a doctor's letter for personal medication import, but a certified Portuguese translation reduces the risk of delays at customs. Notarisation is required only when a document is being used in Brazilian legal proceedings, not for personal medical import.

How much lisdexamfetamine to bring

ANVISA guidelines permit travellers to carry up to a 30-day personal supply of controlled psychotropics without prior import authorisation. For trips longer than 30 days, contact ANVISA before departure, as additional documentation may be required.

Bring at least 20–30% more than your planned daily dose to account for delays, loss, or damaged capsules. Local refills are technically possible but require a Brazilian physician visit and a notificação de receita especial, which adds cost and time.

Split your supply

Pack your main supply in hand luggage and a backup in your checked bag. Keep both in original, labelled packaging. If one bag is lost or delayed, you retain access to your medication.

Packing and storing lisdexamfetamine for travel

Lisdexamfetamine capsules should be stored at controlled room temperature, between 15°C and 30°C, away from moisture and direct light.^[3] No refrigeration is required, which simplifies packing. Keep capsules in their original blister packs or bottles with the pharmacy label visible; customs officers will want to see these match your documentation.^[4]

Airport security with lisdexamfetamine

At security screening, carry your medication in original packaging in your hand luggage. Lisdexamfetamine is a solid capsule, so it is not subject to liquid restrictions. Place the medication in the tray separately so it is visible and officers can check it against your documentation without opening your bag. If asked, present your doctor's letter and prescription immediately rather than waiting to be prompted.^[4]

Customs and medication import rules for Brazil

Brazil's federal customs agency (Receita Federal) requires travellers to declare controlled psychotropic medications on arrival. Personal import without prior authorisation is permitted for up to 30 days when accompanied by the original prescription and a doctor's letter.

Select the red channel ("bens a declarar") and show your documentation proactively. Customs officers may log your medication details; this is routine for List A3 substances and does not indicate a problem.^[5]

Controlled substance warning

Lisdexamfetamine is a List B2 controlled psychotropic under Portaria SVS/MS 344/1998. Carrying it without documentation, in quantities exceeding a 30-day personal supply, or in non-original packaging may result in confiscation and referral to federal police. Do not transfer capsules to an unmarked container before or during travel.

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) availability in Brazil

Vyvanse is registered with ANVISA and sold at licensed Brazilian pharmacies under the same brand name. Dispensing requires a notificação de receita especial (special prescription form) issued by a licensed Brazilian physician; your home prescription cannot be used at a local counter.

Without a local prescription, you cannot obtain a refill in Brazil. Estimated retail cost for a 30-capsule pack of Vyvanse 30 mg is approximately R$350–R$550 (~$68–$107 / ~€59–€93), though this varies by pharmacy and region.^[2]

Finding a doctor who can prescribe lisdexamfetamine in Brazil

Only a licensed Brazilian psychiatrist or neurologist can issue a special prescription form for lisdexamfetamine. Private psychiatrist consultations in major cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília typically cost R$300–R$600 (~$58–$117 / ~€51–€102). English-speaking psychiatrists are available at private clinics in São Paulo (e.g. Hospital Sírio-Libanês,^[6] Hospital Albert Einstein) and Rio de Janeiro.

Telemedicine consultations with Brazilian-registered physicians are possible through platforms such as Doctoralia Brasil, but the physical prescription form must still be issued and handed over in person or by post for controlled substances. Refer to our Brazil travel guide for broader context on healthcare options.

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Storing lisdexamfetamine while in Brazil

The FDA product label specifies storage at controlled room temperature, 15°C to 30°C, away from light and moisture.^[3] Brazil's tropical climate, particularly in coastal cities and the Amazon basin, regularly exceeds 30°C in summer (December to March). Store capsules in an air-conditioned room, not in a car glovebox or bag left in direct sunlight.

If your accommodation loses power, move the medication to a cool, shaded indoor space; brief temperature excursions of a few hours above 30°C are unlikely to degrade solid oral capsules significantly, but prolonged heat exposure should be avoided.

What to do if something goes wrong with your lisdexamfetamine in Brazil

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report (Boletim de Ocorrência) immediately; this document will support any insurance claim and is useful if you need to explain a missing supply to customs on departure. Contact your travel insurer's emergency line and your home prescriber the same day.

If you run out unexpectedly, seek a private psychiatrist in the nearest major city to obtain a Brazilian notificação de receita especial (special prescription form). Because lisdexamfetamine is a controlled substance in Brazil, a pharmacy cannot dispense it without that document regardless of what documentation you carry from your home country. Your embassy or consulate may be able to provide a list of English-speaking physicians if you are unable to locate one independently.

“Eu tomo lisdexanfetamina (Vyvanse). Você pode me indicar um psiquiatra? Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima? Por favor, ligue para um médico.”

I take lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Can you refer me to a psychiatrist? Where is the nearest pharmacy? Please call a doctor.

Brazil's national ambulance number is 192 (SAMU) and police is 190. For urgent psychiatric or medical concerns, SAMU can direct you to the nearest public hospital emergency department.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I bring lisdexamfetamine into Brazil from another country?

Yes, personal import of up to a 30-day supply is permitted without prior ANVISA authorisation. You must declare it at customs, carry it in original packaging, and have your original prescription and a doctor's letter (ideally in Portuguese) with you.

Is Vyvanse legal in Brazil?

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is legal in Brazil and is registered by ANVISA. It is a List A3 controlled psychotropic under Portaria SVS/MS 344/1998, so it requires a valid Brazilian notificação de receita especial (special prescription form) to be dispensed locally.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with Vyvanse to Brazil?

A doctor's letter is not a legal requirement at the border, but it is strongly advisable. Without one, customs officers may delay or confiscate your medication. A letter in Portuguese confirming your diagnosis, the medication name (lisdexamfetamine / Vyvanse), dose, and trip duration reduces the risk significantly.

What if I run out of lisdexamfetamine while in Brazil?

You will need to see a private Brazilian psychiatrist who can issue a notificação de receita especial. Private consultations cost approximately R$300–R$600 (~$58–$117 / ~€51–€102) in major cities. Bring all your original documentation to the appointment as evidence of your existing prescription.

Is Vyvanse available in Brazilian pharmacies?

Yes, Vyvanse is sold under the same brand name at licensed pharmacies across Brazil. You must have a Brazilian-issued special prescription form to obtain it; your home-country prescription will not be accepted at the counter.

Is Elvanse available in Brazil as an alternative to Vyvanse?

Elvanse is the brand name used for lisdexamfetamine in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Ireland, but it is not sold under that name in Brazil. The same active ingredient is marketed in Brazil as Vyvanse. If you are prescribed Elvanse in Europe, Vyvanse is the Brazilian equivalent.

How much does Vyvanse cost in Brazil without insurance?

A 30-capsule pack of Vyvanse typically retails at around R$350–R$550 (~$68–$107 / ~€59–€93) at private pharmacies, depending on the dose and location. This cost does not include the psychiatrist consultation needed to obtain the special prescription form.

Related practical guide

10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication

ADHD stimulants are banned outright in some countries and tightly controlled in many others. Here is the practical checklist every traveller needs before setting off.