Adderall in Canada: Schedule I Status, Supply and Prescribing

Adderall is not legally available in Canada. The active ingredient amphetamine is a Schedule I substance, and Adderall XR is available by prescription only.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Amphetamine is a Schedule I controlled substance under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Adderall XR was previously marketed in Canada but was withdrawn in 2005 by Health Canada over cardiac safety concerns; it was later re-evaluated and Adderall XR returned to the Canadian market, though Adderall IR (immediate-release) has never been approved in Canada.
Prescription required: Yes. A Canadian physician's prescription is required. No specialist designation is mandated in most provinces, though many prescribers are psychiatrists or paediatricians.
Available locally: Adderall IR is not approved in Canada. Adderall XR has Health Canada approval and is dispensed at major pharmacy chains. Sibling brands Adderall XR, Mydayis (not available in Canada), and generic amphetamine XR products are the closest local alternatives.
Storage: Store at room temperature, 15–30°C, away from moisture and direct light. No refrigeration required.
Max supply to carry: Canada's CDSA permits importing a personal supply of Schedule I controlled substances only under a Health Canada exemption. In practice, travellers are advised to bring no more than a 30-day supply with documentation.
Key document: A physician's letter naming Adderall or Adderall XR specifically (brand name plus INN: amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), dose, and duration of travel. Keep medication in original labelled packaging.
Emergency alternative: If Adderall is unavailable, a Canadian physician can assess and prescribe Adderall XR or a generic amphetamine extended-release product, but any switch requires a local consultation.

Where to find Adderall in Canada

Shoppers Drug Mart
Adderall XR is stocked at many locations, but Adderall IR (immediate-release) is not approved in Canada and will not be dispensed. A Canadian prescription is required.
CAD 80–160/month (~$58–$117 / ~€54–€108) for Adderall XR, depending on dose and province; generic amphetamine XR is lower.
Limited
Rexall
Adderall XR available with Canadian prescription. Stock can be intermittent given ongoing ADHD stimulant supply pressures across Canada.
CAD 80–160/month (~$58–$117 / ~€54–€108)
Limited
Pharmasave
Regional chain with locations across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Phone ahead to confirm Adderall XR stock before attending.
CAD 80–160/month (~$58–$117 / ~€54–€108)
Intermittent
London Drugs
Western Canada chain. Adderall XR dispensed with valid Canadian prescription; Adderall IR is not stocked as it lacks Health Canada approval.
CAD 80–160/month (~$58–$117 / ~€54–€108)
Intermittent

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Adderall in Canada: what you need to know before you travel

Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) occupies an unusual position in Canada: Adderall IR is not approved by Health Canada^[1], while Adderall XR has a Canadian Drug Identification Number and is dispensed at major pharmacy chains. Sibling brands Adderall XR and generic amphetamine extended-release products are the practical options if you need a local prescription. For the full customs and import paperwork flow, see our ADHD in Canada guide.

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.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to Canada with Adderall

Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine is a Schedule I controlled substance under Canada's CDSA^[2]. Carry your medication in its original pharmacy-labelled packaging and bring a physician's letter naming Adderall or Adderall XR by brand, plus the INN (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), dose, and your travel dates.

Naming Adderall on your doctor's letter

The letter should list the brand name ('Adderall' or 'Adderall XR') AND the international generic name (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) plus strength and dose. Canada Border Services Agency officers may search either name, so including both reduces delays at the border.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring these questions to your appointment before departure.

If Adderall IR is unavailable in Canada, can you write a backup letter or prescription naming Adderall XR or a generic amphetamine extended-release product, so a Canadian physician has something to reference?
Can the doctor's letter explicitly state both the brand name (Adderall) and the INN (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), your dose, and the duration of your trip?
If my trip extends beyond 30 days, what is the approved pathway to arrange an additional supply or a Canadian prescriber referral?
If I need to transition from Adderall IR to Adderall XR mid-trip because IR is unavailable, what should I expect clinically and what questions should I ask the Canadian physician?
What is the best way to reach you or your practice from Canada if I have a supply or documentation emergency?

How much Adderall to bring

Health Canada guidance advises travellers to carry no more than a 30-day personal supply^[3] of a Schedule I controlled substance when entering Canada. Because Adderall IR is not approved in Canada, you cannot obtain a refill locally. Bring your full trip supply plus a small buffer, and do not ship medication through the post.

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Adderall in Canada

Declare Adderall at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) customs counter on arrival. Carry your medication in the original pharmacy-labelled bottle, as tablets loose in a bag or unlabelled container may be questioned. Security screening at Canadian airports follows the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) rules^[4]: prescription medication is permitted in carry-on and does not need to fit within liquid quantity limits. Keep your physician's letter accessible throughout your journey, not packed in checked luggage.

While in country

Adderall availability in Canada

Adderall vs sibling brands in Canada

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in Canada
Adderall	ADHD	Immediate-release tablet	Not approved by Health Canada. Cannot be dispensed.
Adderall XR	ADHD	Extended-release capsule	Health Canada approved. Available at major pharmacy chains with Canadian prescription.
Mydayis	ADHD (adults)	Extended-release capsule (triple-bead)	Not approved by Health Canada. Not available.
Generic amphetamine XR	ADHD	Extended-release capsule	Available in Canada; dispensed as a substitute when Adderall XR is on backorder.

Adderall IR has never received a Health Canada Drug Identification Number and cannot be legally dispensed at any Canadian pharmacy^[5]. Adderall XR is the only branded amphetamine/dextroamphetamine product with Health Canada approval, alongside generic amphetamine extended-release capsules. Supply of all amphetamine-based ADHD medications in Canada has been under intermittent strain since 2022, driven by global active pharmaceutical ingredient shortages.

Adderall XR is not covered under most provincial drug benefit programmes for adults without qualifying low-income or disability status. Out-of-pocket cost for Adderall XR runs approximately CAD 80–160 per month (~$58–$117 / ~€54–€108)^[6] depending on strength and dispensing fee. Generic amphetamine XR is typically 30–50% cheaper than branded Adderall XR.

Pharmacy phrases for English and French in Canada

“Avez-vous de l'Adderall XR en stock?”

Do you have Adderall XR in stock?

“Sinon, avez-vous une capsule générique d'amphétamine à libération prolongée?”

If not, do you have a generic amphetamine extended-release capsule?

“J'ai une ordonnance pour de l'amphétamine/dextroamphétamine. Pouvez-vous vérifier si une formulation est disponible?”

I have a prescription for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. Can you check if any formulation is available?

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Switching to a different brand or generic in Canada

Because Adderall IR is unavailable in Canada, any traveller who runs out faces a transition to Adderall XR or a generic amphetamine extended-release product. These are the same active ingredient but differ in release profile, which a Canadian physician must assess before dispensing. Mydayis (lisdexamfetamine metabolite, triple-bead formulation) is not approved in Canada either, so it cannot serve as a local fallback. The transition decision requires a Canadian prescription, which means a local medical consultation. As amphetamine/dextroamphetamine is a Schedule I controlled substance under the CDSA, no pharmacy will dispense it without one.

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Adderall in Canada

If your Adderall is lost or stolen, report the loss to local police and obtain a report number. Then contact a walk-in clinic or urgent care centre: a Canadian physician can assess you and, if appropriate, issue a Canadian prescription for Adderall XR or a generic amphetamine extended-release product. Bring your physician's letter, any remaining original packaging, and your police report. Pharmacies in major cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary stock Adderall XR; phone ahead to confirm before travelling across the city.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Adderall legal in Canada?

Adderall XR is legal in Canada with a valid prescription, as it holds Health Canada approval and is dispensed at major pharmacy chains, though travellers should note that Adderall IR (immediate-release) has never been approved in Canada. Amphetamine is a Schedule I controlled substance under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, so importing a personal supply requires a Health Canada exemption and travellers are advised to carry no more than a 30-day supply, kept in original labelled packaging and accompanied by a physician's letter naming the medication, dose, and duration of travel.

Is Adderall available in Canada?

Adderall IR (immediate-release) is not approved by Health Canada and cannot be dispensed at any Canadian pharmacy. Adderall XR (extended-release) does have a Health Canada Drug Identification Number and is available at major chains including Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall, subject to a valid Canadian prescription. Generic amphetamine extended-release capsules are also available as a lower-cost alternative.

What is the difference between Adderall and Adderall XR in Canada?

Adderall IR is an immediate-release tablet with a shorter duration of action. Adderall XR is an extended-release capsule designed for once-daily dosing. In Canada, only Adderall XR is Health Canada approved; Adderall IR has no Drug Identification Number and is not legally dispensed. The two are not therapeutically interchangeable without a physician's assessment of the appropriate dose and timing.

Can I switch from Adderall IR to Adderall XR in Canada if my usual formulation isn't available?

A switch from Adderall IR to Adderall XR is within the same active ingredient (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) but involves a different release profile. A Canadian physician needs to assess the appropriate dose before issuing a prescription for Adderall XR. Do not attempt to self-adjust dosing between formulations. Visit a walk-in clinic with your existing physician's letter and original packaging.

Do I need a Canadian prescription to buy Adderall XR at a pharmacy in Canada?

Yes. Adderall XR is a Schedule I controlled substance under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. No Canadian pharmacy can dispense it without a valid Canadian prescription. Your prescription from another country cannot be filled directly; you will need to see a Canadian physician who can issue a local prescription after reviewing your documentation.

How much does Adderall XR cost in Canada without insurance?

Adderall XR costs approximately CAD 80–160 per month (~$58–$117 / ~€54–€108) out of pocket, depending on strength and the dispensing pharmacy's fees. Generic amphetamine XR is typically 30–50% cheaper. Most provincial drug benefit programmes do not cover Adderall XR for adults without qualifying circumstances, so most travellers will pay full price.