Diazepam in Egypt: Controls, Import Rules & Pharmacies

Quick reference

Drug class: Benzodiazepine
Controlled substance: Yes, controlled under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: Yes, generic diazepam is dispensed at licensed pharmacies; no catalog-listed local brand confirmed. A local prescription is required.
Storage: Room temperature, below 30°C, away from direct light and moisture
Max supply to carry: 30-day personal supply recommended; no confirmed statutory cap, but quantities above a personal-use threshold raise customs scrutiny
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating your name, diagnosis, medication name (INN and brand), dose, frequency, and quantity carried. Arabic translation strongly advised.
Emergency alternative: Visit a private hospital such as Dar Al Fouad or As-Salam International in Cairo and present your documentation to a psychiatrist or neurologist who can issue a local prescription.

Diazepam in Egypt: what changes when you travel

Diazepam, sold internationally as Valium, Diastat, Valpam, and Stesolid, is a controlled substance under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960. Carrying it without proper documentation exposes you to serious legal risk at the border.^[1] Egypt's summer heat, which regularly exceeds 35°C, also requires attention to storage during transit.

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 Egypt with diazepam

Egypt controls benzodiazepines under the Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 and its executive regulations. You must carry a doctor's letter alongside your prescription to pass customs without issue. Having the letter translated into Arabic significantly reduces delays at Cairo International Airport.^[2]

What your doctor's letter must include

Full legal name, medication name (INN: diazepam; brand: Valium or equivalent), dose and frequency, quantity carried, diagnosis (one word or ICD code), doctor's signature, registration number, and clinic letterhead. Request an Arabic translation or have it notarised by a certified translator before departure. Egypt does not require an apostille, but a certified translation carries weight with customs officers.

Egypt does not formally require a pre-travel import permit for personal quantities of diazepam carried by a patient with documentation. However, quantities that appear to exceed personal use may be held at customs pending review, so keep your supply clearly proportionate to the trip duration.

How much diazepam to bring

Egypt has no codified statutory cap on the quantity of diazepam a patient may import for personal use, but customs officers apply a practical threshold aligned with the trip length. Bring no more than a 30-day supply, matching the standard limit recognised by the INCB guidelines for personal medical supplies of psychotropics.^[5]

Add a 20% buffer above your calculated dose to allow for delays or losses. Refills in Egypt require a local prescription from an Egyptian-registered physician, which adds time and cost, so arriving with a full supply is the safer approach.

Split your supply between bags

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original packaging with pharmacy labels and accompanying documentation.

Packing and storing diazepam for travel

Diazepam tablets are stable at room temperature and should be stored below 30°C, protected from light and moisture. Egypt's summer temperatures frequently exceed 35°C, so avoid leaving medication in a car, on a windowsill, or in checked luggage placed in the hold of small regional aircraft without climate control. Keep tablets in a cool, dark compartment of your carry-on during transit and transfer to a hotel room away from direct sunlight on arrival.

Airport security with diazepam

Diazepam tablets are solid and are not subject to liquid restrictions at airport security. Keep the medication in its original labelled packaging inside your carry-on so it is immediately identifiable if screeners ask. You are not obliged to declare medication at security, but having your doctor's letter accessible speeds up any queries without delay.

Customs and medication import rules for Egypt

Egypt Customs Authority requires travellers carrying controlled medications to present a valid prescription and a doctor's letter at the point of entry. Diazepam is listed under Egypt's controlled substances schedule administered by the Ministry of Health. Declare the medication at the customs desk if you are carrying a quantity that could raise questions. Failure to declare a controlled substance can result in confiscation or detention.^[3]

Controlled substance warning

Diazepam is a controlled substance under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960. Carrying it without a valid prescription and supporting doctor's letter constitutes a criminal offence under Egyptian law. Penalties range from confiscation to detention. Always carry original packaging, a certified prescription, and an Arabic-translated doctor's letter.

Diazepam availability in Egypt

Generic diazepam is dispensed at licensed Egyptian pharmacies, but a valid prescription issued by an Egyptian-registered physician is required. No internationally recognised brand such as Valium has been confirmed as stocked under that name in Egyptian retail pharmacies. A 30-tablet pack of generic diazepam 5 mg costs approximately £E 15-40 (~$0.29-$0.77 / ~€0.25-€0.66); prices vary by pharmacy and governorate.^[4] To check the availability of other benzodiazepines like alprazolam, see our benzodiazepines in Egypt guide.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe diazepam in Egypt

Private hospitals in Cairo, including Dar Al Fouad Hospital (Giza) and As-Salam International Hospital (Maadi), have English-speaking psychiatrists and neurologists who can assess your case and issue a local prescription.

A private specialist consultation costs approximately £E 800-1,500 (~$15-$29 / ~€13-€25). Use Nomedic's provider search to locate doctors near your destination before you travel.

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Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in Egypt.

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Storing diazepam while in Egypt

Diazepam tablets must be kept below 30°C and away from direct sunlight and humidity. In Egypt's summer months (June to September), ambient temperatures in Cairo and southern regions often exceed 38°C. Store your medication in an air-conditioned hotel room, away from windows, and never in a bathroom cabinet where humidity is elevated. If you are staying in a location without reliable air conditioning, a small insulated pouch kept in the coolest spot available provides adequate short-term protection for tablets.

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

If your medication is lost or stolen, report it to the nearest police station (emergency: 122) and obtain a written report for your insurer. Access your medication record from your Nomedic IPS to show a local physician the exact INN, dose, and frequency without needing to recall it under stress.

If you run out unexpectedly, go to a private hospital emergency department and present your documentation to a psychiatrist or neurologist. Do not attempt an abrupt discontinuation without medical supervision. A physician can issue a local prescription for generic diazepam dispensed at a licensed pharmacy.

“أحتاج إلى ديازيبام بوصفة طبية | لدي حالة طبية تستلزم هذا الدواء | من فضلك اتصل بطبيب | أين أقرب صيدلية؟”

I need diazepam with a prescription | I have a medical condition requiring this medication | Please call a doctor | Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Egypt's ambulance number is 123. For urgent psychiatric or neurological care, As-Salam International Hospital in Cairo (+20 2 2524 0250) has 24-hour emergency services with English-speaking staff.^[6]

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Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency in your IPS, readable by any clinician worldwide.

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Frequently asked questions

Is diazepam legal in Egypt?

Diazepam is legal in Egypt for personal medical use when accompanied by a valid prescription and a doctor's letter. It is a controlled substance under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960, so carrying it without documentation constitutes a criminal offence.

Can I bring diazepam into Egypt?

Yes, you can bring diazepam into Egypt for personal use. Carry your original prescription, a doctor's letter (preferably translated into Arabic), and keep the medication in its original labelled packaging. Quantities proportionate to your trip length are accepted; amounts that appear to exceed personal use may be held for review.

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

Yes. Because diazepam is a controlled substance in Egypt, a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead is essential to avoid confiscation at customs. The letter should include your name, diagnosis, medication name (INN and brand), dose, frequency, and the quantity you are carrying. An Arabic translation adds a practical layer of protection.

Is diazepam available at pharmacies in Egypt?

Generic diazepam is available at licensed Egyptian pharmacies, but only with a prescription issued by an Egyptian-registered doctor. The international brand Valium is not confirmed as stocked under that name in Egyptian pharmacies; the generic is the standard dispensed form.

Is Valium available in Egypt?

Valium, the internationally recognised brand name for diazepam, is not confirmed as stocked under that brand name in Egyptian pharmacies. Generic diazepam is the dispensed form and is equivalent in active ingredient. Bring your full supply of Valium or your prescribed generic from home and use local generic diazepam only as a last resort with a valid Egyptian prescription.

What if I run out of diazepam in Egypt?

Go to a private hospital emergency department and present your original documentation to a psychiatrist or neurologist who can issue a local prescription. Do not stop diazepam abruptly; seek medical supervision as soon as possible.

Can I get a diazepam prescription from a doctor in Cairo?

Yes, private hospitals in Cairo with English-speaking psychiatrists and neurologists, such as Dar Al Fouad and As-Salam International, can assess your case and issue a local prescription. A specialist consultation costs approximately £E 800-1,500 (~$15-$29 / ~€13-€25). Bring your existing prescription and doctor's letter to support the consultation.

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.

Diazepam in Egypt: Controls, Import Rules and Pharmacies