Lisdexamfetamine in China: Amphetamine Ban, Legal Risk and ADHD Plan

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse) is banned in China as a Category I narcotic. Bring no supply and plan an alternative before you travel.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, classified as a narcotic under China's Narcotics Control Act; the active ingredient amphetamine is prohibited
Prescription required: Not applicable, lisdexamfetamine is not registered for medical use in China
Available locally: No, no local brand is available; lisdexamfetamine has no marketing authorisation in China
Storage: Room temperature, away from heat and moisture; original packaging required
Max supply to carry: Bringing any quantity carries serious legal risk; no authorised import pathway exists
Key document: Do not travel with Vyvanse or Elvanse to China; consult your prescribing doctor about alternatives before departure
Emergency alternative: Contact your home prescriber immediately if you require a medication change; do not attempt to obtain lisdexamfetamine locally.

Lisdexamfetamine in China: what travellers need to know

Lisdexamfetamine, sold globally as Vyvanse (in the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico) and Elvanse (in the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy), is not registered for medical use in China. Its active metabolite, amphetamine, is classified as a narcotic, making any import a serious criminal matter.^[1]

This guide explains the legal position, the risks of attempting to bring lisdexamfetamine into China, and the steps you should take before departure to plan a safe alternative.

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 China with lisdexamfetamine

According to China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) guidelines, no import permit, doctor's letter, or translated prescription will legally authorise you to bring Vyvanse or Elvanse into China. The critical document you need before travel is a written plan from your prescribing doctor for a medication change.^[2] Learn more about legal alternatives through our ADHD in China guide.

What your doctor's letter must include for travel planning

Ask your prescribing doctor to prepare a letter confirming your current medication, the reason a switch is needed for travel to China, and any alternative medication you have agreed. Include your full name, diagnosis, current dose, and the doctor's registration number and clinic letterhead. This letter will not authorise import of lisdexamfetamine, but it will be essential documentation if you need emergency care in China.

Any documentation for an alternative medication prescribed for China travel should ideally include a Chinese translation, as customs officers and hospital staff may not read English. Notarisation is not required for a personal doctor's letter, but a clear, professional format reduces delays at the border.

How much lisdexamfetamine to bring

The answer is zero. Amphetamine-class substances are listed in China's Table I of Narcotic Drugs, placing them in the most restricted category with no provision for personal medical import. There is no approved quantity, no exemption process, and no legal pathway for travellers.^[3]

Do not split your supply to reduce risk

Some travellers assume carrying a small quantity reduces legal exposure. In China, the presence of any quantity of an amphetamine-class substance can constitute a drug offence. Do not attempt to travel with any Vyvanse or Elvanse, regardless of quantity or packaging.

Packing and storing lisdexamfetamine for travel

Do not pack Vyvanse or Elvanse for travel to China. If you are travelling with an agreed alternative medication, keep it in its original, labelled packaging and store it at room temperature away from direct sunlight and moisture. Beijing's climate can be hot and humid in summer, so avoid leaving any medication in a hot car or direct sun. Carry all medication in hand luggage to maintain oversight throughout the journey.

Airport security with lisdexamfetamine

Airport security in your departure country will screen carry-on bags, but the legal risk with lisdexamfetamine arises at Chinese customs, not at the departing security lane. Do not attempt to conceal any Vyvanse or Elvanse in your luggage departing for China. If you are transiting through a third country, check that country's rules separately, as some transit nations conduct baggage checks.

Customs and medication import rules for China

China Customs requires travellers to declare controlled and narcotic substances on arrival. Lisdexamfetamine has no authorised import category under Chinese customs regulations. Declaring it honestly does not protect you from prosecution; it may accelerate it. There is no fee, permit, or prior approval process that legalises entry.^[4]

Amphetamine-class drugs carry serious criminal penalties in China

Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of amphetamine. Amphetamine is classified in Table I of China's List of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances under the Narcotics Control Law. Possession, import, or trafficking of narcotic substances in China can result in criminal detention, imprisonment of 3 to 15 years for possession, and capital punishment for large-scale trafficking. A foreign prescription provides no legal protection. Do not travel to China with any quantity of Vyvanse or Elvanse.

Lisdexamfetamine availability in China

Neither Vyvanse nor Elvanse has received marketing authorisation from China's NMPA. No pharmacy in China, whether in a major city like Beijing or Shanghai or elsewhere, stocks lisdexamfetamine. There is no generic equivalent available under any Chinese brand name.^[2]

Methylphenidate-based medications do have a limited authorised presence in China, but these are different drugs with different clinical profiles. Any switch must be discussed with your prescribing doctor before departure, not improvised once you arrive. Refer to our methylphenidate in China guide for more context on availability and import guidelines.

Finding a doctor who can help in China

International private hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai, such as Beijing United Family Hospital and Parkway Health, have English-speaking psychiatrists.^[5] A private consultation typically costs ¥800 to ¥1,500 (~$119 to $224 / ~€104 to €195). However, no Chinese psychiatrist can legally prescribe lisdexamfetamine. Any consultation would be to assess alternative medications available under Chinese drug law.^[5]

Telemedicine consultations with your home prescriber may be possible depending on your home country's telehealth rules, but they cannot result in a Chinese prescription. Plan your medication management before you leave.

Search for providers near your destination

Use Nomedic's provider search to find English-speaking doctors and hospitals in China.

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Storing your alternative medication in China

Beijing's summer temperatures regularly exceed 35°C, and humidity is high from June to August. Store any medication in a cool, dry location inside your accommodation. Most hotels have in-room safes or can arrange refrigeration on request. Do not leave medication in a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight near a window.

What to do if something goes wrong in China

If you have travelled to China with an agreed alternative medication and it is lost or damaged, contact your travel insurance provider's emergency assistance line first. Then visit the nearest international private hospital with your prescription documentation and doctor's letter.

If your alternative medication runs out, contact an English-speaking psychiatrist at an international hospital. They cannot prescribe lisdexamfetamine, but they may be able to bridge your care with a locally available option. Contact your home prescriber by video call to coordinate any changes.

“我需要看精神科医生 (Wǒ xūyào kàn jīngshén kē yīshēng) (I need to see a psychiatrist. 我的药丢了 (Wǒ de yào diū le)) My medication is lost. 请帮我叫医生 (Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào yīshēng) (Please call a doctor. 最近的药店在哪里 (Zuì jìn de yào diàn zài nǎlǐ)) Where is the nearest pharmacy?”

I need to see a psychiatrist. My medication is lost. Please call a doctor. Where is the nearest pharmacy?

China's emergency ambulance number is 120, police is 110. For urgent medical assistance, major international hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai operate 24-hour emergency departments with English-speaking staff.^[6]

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in China?

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is banned in China. Its active metabolite, amphetamine, is classified in Table I of China's List of Narcotic Drugs, with no medical use recognised under Chinese law. There is no exemption, permit, or prescription pathway that permits import.

Can I bring lisdexamfetamine into China?

No. Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of amphetamine, which is a Table I narcotic in China. Carrying any quantity across the Chinese border, regardless of documentation or packaging, carries the risk of criminal detention and prosecution. Do not attempt to travel with Vyvanse or Elvanse to China.

Is lisdexamfetamine available in Chinese pharmacies?

No. Lisdexamfetamine has no marketing authorisation from China's NMPA and is not stocked at any pharmacy in China, whether in Beijing, Shanghai, or elsewhere. No local brand name or generic equivalent exists.

Is Elvanse available in China?

No. Elvanse is the European brand name for lisdexamfetamine, sold in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Ireland, among other countries. Like Vyvanse, it contains lisdexamfetamine and is not approved or available in China. Neither brand name nor the generic can be obtained through Chinese pharmacies or hospitals.

Do I need a doctor's letter to travel to China if I take Vyvanse or Elvanse?

A doctor's letter will not authorise you to bring lisdexamfetamine into China. What you need is a letter from your prescriber outlining a medication change plan for your trip. Any alternative medication that is a controlled substance in China will require its own documentation.

What if I run out of my ADHD medication in China?

Contact an English-speaking psychiatrist at an international private hospital in Beijing or Shanghai. They cannot prescribe lisdexamfetamine, but they may offer a locally available alternative. Coordinate any medication change with your home prescriber by video call before agreeing to a new drug.

What ADHD medications are available in China if I cannot bring Vyvanse?

Methylphenidate has a limited authorised presence in China under the brand Ritalin, classified as a Category II psychotropic substance under Chinese regulations. Any switch from lisdexamfetamine to methylphenidate must be agreed with your prescribing doctor before travel, as the two medications are not interchangeable.

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.