Benzodiazepines in Egypt: Controls, Import Rules and Brands

All benzodiazepines are controlled under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960. Bring a doctor's letter and your personal supply (20-30 days).

Quick reference

Drug class: Benzodiazepine anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and hypnotics, all members are controlled under Egyptian law
Controlled substance: Yes, all eight active ingredients are controlled under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960 and subject to Ministry of Health and Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) oversight.
Prescription required: Yes. A valid prescription and an official doctor's letter are required for all benzodiazepines at Egyptian customs. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted at Egyptian pharmacies for dispensing controlled substances, a local Egyptian specialist prescription is required for any in-country refill.
Available locally: Diazepam: yes (Valium, generic diazepam). Alprazolam: limited (Alprax by Sigma Egypt; Xanax brand availability is inconsistent). Clonazepam: limited (Rivotril). Lorazepam: limited availability; confirm stock before travel. Temazepam, oxazepam, triazolam: not reliably stocked at community pharmacies, bring a full supply. Midazolam: hospital/clinical use only; not dispensed in community pharmacies.
Storage: Store between 15°C and 30°C. Protect from light and moisture. Keep in original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label intact.
Max supply to carry: Personal-use quantity for the duration of the trip, generally capped at 20-30 days. Carry only what you need for your stay. Quantities suggesting non-personal use risk confiscation and prosecution under Law No. 182 of 1960.
Key document: An official, stamped doctor's letter on headed notepaper stating your name, the medication's INN and brand, dose, frequency, quantity carried, and confirmation of personal use. Contact the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in your country of departure before travel if you are uncertain whether your specific active ingredient requires prior authorisation.
Emergency alternative: If your specific benzodiazepine is unavailable locally, consult a licensed Egyptian psychiatrist, only they can assess and prescribe an appropriate locally registered alternative; do not self-substitute.

Benzodiazepine options in Egypt

Active ingredient	Available locally?	Local brand(s)	Controlled status	Prescription required?	Max supply
Alprazolam	Limited	Alprax (Sigma Egypt); Xanax (inconsistent stock)	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes, local specialist prescription required	20-30 days personal use
Diazepam	Yes	Valium; generic diazepam (government-priced)	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes, local specialist prescription required	20-30 days personal use
Clonazepam	Limited	Rivotril	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes, local specialist prescription required	20-30 days personal use
Lorazepam	Limited	Ativan (verify stock locally)	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes, local specialist prescription required	20-30 days personal use
Temazepam	Not reliably stocked	No confirmed community pharmacy brand, bring full supply	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes	20-30 days personal use
Midazolam	Hospital/clinical use only	Dormicum, Hypnovel, hospital dispensing only	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes, not dispensed at community pharmacies	Bring full personal supply
Oxazepam	Not reliably stocked	No confirmed community pharmacy brand, bring full supply	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes	20-30 days personal use
Triazolam	Not reliably stocked	Halcion (availability unconfirmed), bring full supply	Yes, Law No. 182/1960	Yes	20-30 days personal use

Benzodiazepines in Egypt: what changes when you travel

Egypt regulates alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Rivotril/Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, and triazolam as controlled substances under Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960 and its amendments^[1]. Every member of the class requires a doctor's letter and carries a personal-use quantity limit at customs.

The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), operating under the Ministry of Health, enforces pharmacy and narcotic import regulations at ports of entry^[2]. Ministry of Health inspectors at Cairo International Airport and other entry points may examine medications. Quantities suggesting non-personal use can result in confiscation and prosecution.

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. Drug laws change, verify all rules with the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate and the Egyptian Drug Authority before you travel.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to Egypt with benzodiazepines

Because all benzodiazepines are controlled under Law No. 182 of 1960, an official, stamped doctor's letter is mandatory for every active ingredient in this class^[3]. The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) and Ministry of Health inspectors assess your documentation at the port of entry.

For some active ingredients, pre-approval via the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in your country of departure is advisable, contact the Embassy at least two months before travel^[1] to confirm whether your specific benzodiazepine requires prior authorisation. Refer to our benzodiazepines travel guide for more details on building your pre-travel documentation pack.

What your doctor's letter must include

Your full legal name. The medication's INN (international nonproprietary name) and brand name. Dose and frequency. Exact quantity you are carrying. Your diagnosis (condition name). Doctor's signature and registration number on clinic letterhead. If you take more than one benzodiazepine, each must be listed separately. An Arabic translation, while not universally required, reduces the chance of delays at customs.

Keep the original pharmacy dispensing label on every pack, customs inspectors use it to verify the substance against your letter. A letter in English is generally accepted, but carrying an Arabic translation alongside it removes ambiguity.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment at least four weeks before departure.

Is my specific benzodiazepine (INN and brand) registered and stocked in Egypt, or should I plan for no local refill?
If my medication is unavailable in Egypt, which locally registered alternative would you consider appropriate, and can you include that information in my doctor's letter for a local Egyptian psychiatrist to review?
Can you write the doctor's letter using the INN alongside the brand name, and include your medical registration number and clinic letterhead as required by Egyptian customs?
How many days' supply should I carry, given Egypt's personal-use quantity limit of approximately 20-30 days, and what happens if my trip extends?
Do you have a direct contact method (email or phone) that an Egyptian doctor or pharmacist could use to verify my prescription history in an emergency?

How much benzodiazepine to bring

Egyptian regulations cap personal-use quantities at the exact dosage needed for the duration of the trip, generally recognised as 20-30 days^[3]. If your trip is shorter, carry only what you need, excess quantity flags a non-personal-use concern at customs. For trips approaching the 30-day limit, carry a small buffer (two to three extra doses) to account for travel delays, keeping the total within the documented quantity in your doctor's letter.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup of a few doses in checked baggage. Keep both portions in original packaging with pharmacy labels and the dispensing date visible. If hand luggage is misplaced, you will still have a small reserve while you seek replacement documentation.

Packing and storing benzodiazepines for travel

The EDA National Formulary specifies that benzodiazepines including clonazepam and diazepam should be stored between 15°C and 30°C, protected from light^[4]. Egypt's summer temperatures regularly exceed 35°C in Cairo; avoid leaving medication in a car, bag left in direct sun, or an unventilated hotel room during the hottest part of the day. All benzodiazepines in this class are oral tablets, none require refrigeration, so the cold-chain concern that applies to insulins does not apply here.

At the airport and border

Airport security with benzodiazepines

All benzodiazepines in this class are oral tablets, so you will not face the liquid-volume questions that apply to liquid medications or injectables. Keep your medication in its original blister pack or bottle, loose pills in an unmarked container will draw scrutiny from security staff and customs inspectors. Your doctor's letter and prescription should be in your carry-on, not your checked luggage, so they are immediately accessible if asked.

X-ray scanners can detect tablets; if a scan prompts inspection, present your doctor's letter calmly. Declare the medication proactively if there is a declaration channel, this signals transparency and reduces the risk of a prolonged customs interview.

Customs and import rules for benzodiazepines in Egypt

Medication import is governed by Pharmacy Law No. 127 of 1955 and Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960^[1]. Ministry of Health inspectors stationed at ports of entry have authority to inspect all personal medications. You must carry original packaging with the dispensing label intact, a valid prescription, and a stamped doctor's letter for any benzodiazepine. Personal-use quantities are generally recognised at 20-30 days^[5]; quantities beyond this will be assessed against your documented trip duration.

All benzodiazepines are controlled under Egyptian law

Every active ingredient in this class, alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, and triazolam, is a controlled substance under Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960. Carrying any of these without a valid doctor's letter and original pharmacy packaging risks confiscation at the border. Quantities suggesting non-personal use can result in detention and prosecution. If the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in your country of departure advises that your specific benzodiazepine requires prior authorisation, obtain that authorisation before you fly, do not rely solely on your home prescription.

While in country

Benzodiazepine availability in Egypt

Diazepam is the most consistently available benzodiazepine in Egypt, sold as Valium and under generic government-priced formulations at community pharmacies. Alprazolam is available under the brand Alprax, manufactured by Sigma Egypt^[6], though stock can be inconsistent outside Cairo and Alexandria.

Clonazepam is stocked at some pharmacies as Rivotril; the EDA National Formulary 2025 lists clonazepam and diazepam in the official national nervous system formulary^[4], confirming their registered status. Lorazepam (Ativan) has limited community pharmacy availability, verify stock at a major pharmacy in Cairo before relying on it.

Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam are not reliably stocked at community pharmacies in Egypt, bring your full supply of these. Midazolam (Dormicum, Hypnovel) is a hospital-only agent in Egypt; it is not dispensed at community pharmacies under any circumstances. A local Egyptian specialist prescription is required for all in-country dispensing; your home prescription will not be accepted at the pharmacy counter.

Medication prices in Egypt are government-set by the EDA. Where benzodiazepines are available, a pack of generic diazepam typically costs EGP 20-80 (~$0.40-$1.60 / ~€0.35-€1.35) at a community pharmacy; branded products such as Rivotril and Alprax range from approximately EGP 80-250 (~$1.60-$5 / ~€1.35-€4.20). These prices are only relevant if you obtain a local specialist prescription, without one, dispensing is not permitted.

Pharmacy phrases in Arabic

Use these phrases at the pharmacy counter when asking about your benzodiazepine.

“أنا أتناول دواءً من مجموعة البنزوديازيبينات, هل يتوفر لديكم هذا الدواء؟”

I take a benzodiazepine medication, do you carry this drug?

“هل يوجد بديل جنيس لـ [اسم الدواء]؟”

Is there a generic equivalent for [medication name]?

“أحتاج إلى رؤية طبيب نفسي, أين أقرب عيادة متخصصة؟”

I need to see a psychiatrist, where is the nearest specialist clinic?

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe benzodiazepines in Egypt

Only a licensed Egyptian psychiatrist can prescribe benzodiazepines; a general practitioner cannot legally issue a controlled-substance prescription for this class. In Cairo, private psychiatrist consultations typically cost around EGP 800-1,300 per session (~$16-$26 / ~€13-€22)^[7] at a private clinic.

English-speaking psychiatrists are available in Cairo at hospitals such as As-Salam International and Dar Al Fouad. For an overview of the private healthcare landscape, see the Egypt healthcare guide. Telemedicine platforms operating in Egypt can help locate a psychiatrist, but the controlled-substance prescription must ultimately be issued in person.

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Storing benzodiazepines while in Egypt

Egypt's climate presents a real storage challenge: Cairo summer temperatures exceed 35°C outdoors and air-conditioned rooms can fluctuate if power dips. Store your medication in the coolest, darkest part of your accommodation, a bedside drawer or suitcase away from windows is better than a bathroom cabinet, which experiences humidity from showers.

All benzodiazepines in this class are stable at room temperature (15-30°C); none require refrigeration. If you are staying in a resort with intermittent air conditioning, a small insulated pouch (without ice packs) protects against temperature spikes during day excursions.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your benzodiazepines in Egypt

If your benzodiazepines are lost or stolen, file a police report immediately, call 122 for police. A police report serves as formal documentation that the medication is gone, which supports any embassy assistance request and reduces the risk that a missing controlled substance is attributed to disposal or misuse.

Contact your embassy or consulate for emergency medical documentation assistance; some embassies can provide letters that help local authorities verify your prescription history, supporting your case with an Egyptian psychiatrist.

If your specific benzodiazepine is unavailable locally, consult a licensed Egyptian psychiatrist before making any change to your regimen. This is a controlled substance class; substitution between active ingredients requires clinical assessment. Never self-substitute one benzodiazepine for another, the decision belongs to the treating doctor, not to you or this guide. Diazepam is the most accessible locally available option for a psychiatrist to consider, but only a clinician can make that assessment.

Key Arabic phrases for emergencies

I take medication for a psychiatric condition: أنا آخذ دواءً لحالة نفسية (Ana aakhudh dawa' li-hala nafsiyya). Please call a doctor: من فضلك اتصل بالطبيب (Min fadlak ittasil bil-tabib). Where is the nearest pharmacy? أين أقرب صيدلية؟ (Ayna aqrab saydaliyya?). I have an emergency: عندي طارئ (Indee tari').

For medical emergencies in Egypt, call ambulance services on 123. Private hospitals in Cairo such as As-Salam International Hospital and Dar Al Fouad have English-speaking staff and can provide urgent psychiatric assessment.

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Frequently asked questions

Are benzodiazepines legal to bring into Egypt?

Benzodiazepines are legal to bring into Egypt for personal medical use, provided you carry an official, stamped doctor's letter, a valid prescription, and the medication in its original pharmacy packaging. All benzodiazepines are controlled under Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960, so carrying them without proper documentation risks confiscation and legal action. Personal-use quantities are generally recognised at 20-30 days; quantities beyond your documented trip duration are not permitted.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly to Egypt with benzodiazepines?

Yes. A stamped doctor's letter on headed notepaper is required for every benzodiazepine you carry into Egypt, as all are controlled under Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960. The letter must include your name, the medication's INN and brand, dose, frequency, quantity, and the doctor's registration number. Keep the letter in your carry-on alongside the original pharmacy packaging.

Which benzodiazepines are available at pharmacies in Egypt?

Diazepam (Valium and generic formulations) is the most reliably available benzodiazepine at Egyptian community pharmacies. Alprazolam is available as Alprax (manufactured by Sigma Egypt), with inconsistent stock outside Cairo and Alexandria. Clonazepam (Rivotril) is stocked at some pharmacies and is listed in the EDA's 2025 national formulary. Lorazepam (Ativan) has limited availability. Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam are not reliably stocked at community pharmacies; bring a full supply of these. Midazolam is dispensed only in hospital settings.

Can I get a Valium (diazepam) prescription in Egypt as a visitor?

Yes, but only a licensed Egyptian psychiatrist can write a prescription for diazepam or any benzodiazepine, a general practitioner cannot legally prescribe this class. A private psychiatry consultation in Cairo costs approximately EGP 800-1,300 (~$16-$26 / ~€13-€22). Your home prescription will not be accepted at an Egyptian pharmacy counter; a locally issued Egyptian prescription is required.

Is Xanax (alprazolam) available in Egypt?

Alprazolam is available in Egypt primarily under the brand Alprax, manufactured locally by Sigma Egypt; the Xanax brand itself has inconsistent availability at community pharmacies. A local Egyptian psychiatrist prescription is required to dispense it. Bring a full supply of your alprazolam from home and treat any local availability as a backup rather than a certainty.

What happens if I run out of benzodiazepines in Egypt?

Seek a licensed Egyptian psychiatrist at a private hospital in Cairo (such as As-Salam International or Dar Al Fouad) or in major resort cities. The psychiatrist can assess your situation and, if appropriate, write a local prescription for a registered benzodiazepine. Contact your embassy for emergency documentation support, and file a police report (122) if medication was lost or stolen. Do not attempt to obtain benzodiazepines without a local prescription.

What if my specific benzodiazepine brand isn't available in Egypt?

Consult a licensed Egyptian psychiatrist before making any change, never self-substitute one benzodiazepine for another, as the substitution decision requires clinical assessment. Diazepam is the most widely available locally registered option for a psychiatrist to consider. Bring the prescriber checklist from this guide to your appointment so the doctor understands your current regimen.

Related practical guide

Benzodiazepines Abroad: Why Customs Can Seize Your Prescription

A valid prescription does not protect your benzodiazepines at every border. Here is what customs officers actually check, and what happens when supply runs out abroad.