Lorazepam in Egypt: Import Rules, Controls and Pharmacy Access

Lorazepam is Schedule 3 in Egypt and cannot be brought in, even with a prescription. Plan an alternative with your prescriber before you book.

Quick reference

  • Drug class: Benzodiazepine
  • Controlled substance: Yes, controlled under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960 (benzodiazepines are listed in Schedule 3(D))
  • Prescription required: An Egyptian prescription is needed; a doctor may assess you and may issue one.
  • Available locally: Limited availability; no confirmed local brand names in catalog. Generic lorazepam may be dispensed at select pharmacies in Cairo and Alexandria.
  • Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from light and moisture
  • Max supply to carry: None (Schedule 3(D)).
  • Key document: None: cannot be carried.
  • Emergency alternative: Attend a private hospital in Cairo and request an emergency psychiatric or neurology consultation to obtain a local prescription.

Lorazepam in Egypt: what changes when you travel

Lorazepam, sold internationally as Ativan (US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Australia), Tavor (Germany, Italy), and Loreev XR (US), is a controlled substance under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960[1]. Egypt's Ministry of Health guidance says benzodiazepines cannot be carried into Egypt, even with a prescription.[2] Local pharmacy availability is limited and a local prescription is difficult to obtain for visitors, so agree a plan with your prescriber before you book.

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.

Planning your trip without carrying lorazepam

Because lorazepam is controlled under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960[1], documents do not make it lawful to bring into Egypt, and no permission process for travellers has been published. If you cannot travel without it, plan an alternative with your prescriber before you book; the Egyptian Drug Authority (hotline 15301) can answer questions in writing., and plan an alternative with your prescriber.

What to ask your prescriber

Ask well before travel whether a non-scheduled alternative is suitable for the trip. Do not stop lorazepam abruptly or change your dose without medical advice. If you need treatment while in Egypt, give a local doctor the INN (lorazepam; brand: Ativan or Tavor as applicable), your dose and your frequency.

Egypt has not published a permission process for travellers carrying scheduled medicines. No letter, translation or notarisation makes lorazepam lawful to carry, so treat the guidance above as the rule.

How much lorazepam can I carry?

None: lorazepam cannot be carried into Egypt. For prescription medicines that are not on Egypt's narcotics schedules, Egypt's Ministry of Health allows up to 3 months' supply, reduced to the length of stay[2], with a signed medical report and a prescription stating doses, in original packaging.

Do not pack a small amount

A small amount, a backup dose in checked luggage or a supply split between bags is still carrying lorazepam into Egypt. Egypt's Ministry of Health guidance says benzodiazepines cannot be carried in, so none of these options is safe.

Storing lorazepam

Lorazepam tablets should be stored below 25°C, protected from light and moisture. Egypt's summer temperatures in Cairo regularly exceed 35°C, so if you are using a locally dispensed supply, keep it in a cool, dark place and avoid leaving it in a car or in direct sunlight. An insulated pouch helps maintain a safe temperature on long journeys.

Airport security with lorazepam

Lorazepam tablets are solid oral medications and are not subject to the 100 ml liquid restriction at airport security, but airport security is not the obstacle for Egypt. Egypt's own rules are, and they say benzodiazepines cannot be carried in (see the next section). Do not pack lorazepam.

Customs and medication import rules for Egypt

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine, and benzodiazepines are listed as a class in Schedule 3(D) of the Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960 and subsequent amendments[1]. Egypt's Ministry of Health guidance says medicines in Schedules 1 and 3 cannot be carried into Egypt, even with a prescription and doctor's letter, and even if they are legal where you live[2]. Ministry of Health inspectors check personal medicines at the port of entry.

Egypt reissued its narcotics schedules by Ministerial Decree No. 44 of 2026 (17 February 2026)[3]. It still lists benzodiazepines and their derivatives as a class in Schedule 3, Section 4. Egypt's traveller guidance dates from 2018 and refers to the earlier schedules; no updated version has been published. No permission process for travellers has been published.

Controlled substance warning

Lorazepam is a controlled substance under Egyptian law. Carrying it into Egypt can lead to confiscation, detention and prosecution, whatever documents you hold. Egypt's Ministry of Health guidance says benzodiazepines cannot be carried in, even with a prescription.

Lorazepam availability in Egypt

Generic lorazepam is available in Egypt, but dispensing requires a local prescription from an Egyptian-licensed physician[4]. The international brands Ativan (US, Canada, UK), Tavor (Germany, Italy), and Loreev XR (US) are not confirmed as stocked under those brand names at Egyptian pharmacies. Do not bring lorazepam from home, because it cannot be carried into Egypt; ask your prescriber about a plan before you travel.

Where generic lorazepam is available, expect to pay approximately £E 40-100 per pack (~$0.77-$1.92 / ~€0.66-€1.66) depending on the strength and quantity, though prices vary by pharmacy and are subject to change. To check the availability of other benzodiazepines like diazepam, see our benzodiazepines in Egypt guide.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe lorazepam in Egypt

Private hospitals in Cairo such as As-Salam International Hospital and Cairo University Hospitals have English-speaking psychiatrists and neurologists[5] who may evaluate you and, at their discretion, issue a local prescription. A private consultation typically costs £E 500-1,500 (~$9.60-$28.80 / ~€7.98-€23.93). Telemedicine services based outside Egypt cannot issue Egyptian prescriptions.

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Storing lorazepam while in Egypt

The EMA product information for lorazepam specifies storage below 25°C, away from light and moisture. Cairo temperatures regularly exceed 35°C from May to September. Store your medication in the coolest part of your hotel room, away from windows, and avoid leaving it in a parked car.

Air-conditioned hotel rooms are the safest storage environment. If your accommodation lacks air conditioning during summer, request a room change or ask reception to store the medication in a cool location. Lorazepam does not require refrigeration, but sustained exposure to high heat and direct sunlight can degrade the tablets.

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

If your locally dispensed medication is lost or stolen, contact your travel insurer immediately and request a police report from the nearest station (dial 122 for Egypt Police). A police report and your original prescription documentation will support a travel insurance claim and may assist a local doctor in issuing a replacement prescription.

If you run out of a locally dispensed supply unexpectedly, go to a private hospital in Cairo or Alexandria with your documentation and request an urgent psychiatric or neurology consultation. For more on navigating Cairo's private hospital system, see Cairo's city guide. Do not abruptly stop taking lorazepam without medical supervision.

“أحتاج إلى لورازيبام / عندي وصفة طبية / من فضلك اتصل بطبيب / أين أقرب صيدلية؟”

I need lorazepam / I have a prescription / Please call a doctor / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Egypt's ambulance emergency number is 123[6]. For urgent care related to your medication, ask hotel reception to call an ambulance or arrange transport to the nearest accredited private hospital.

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Frequently asked questions

Is lorazepam legal in Egypt?

It is legal on an Egyptian prescription, but it cannot be brought in. Egypt's Ministry of Health guidance says benzodiazepines cannot be carried into Egypt, even with a prescription and doctor's letter, and even if they are legal where you live[2]. Lorazepam is controlled under Egypt's Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960[1], and benzodiazepines are listed as a class in Schedule 3. No permission process for travellers has been published. Speak to your prescriber about a plan for the trip before you book.

Can I bring lorazepam into Egypt?

No. Egypt's Ministry of Health guidance says medicines containing lorazepam cannot be carried into Egypt, even with a prescription and doctor's letter, and even if they are legal where you live. No permission process for travellers has been published. Speak to your prescriber about a plan for the trip before you book.

Does a doctor's letter let me fly with lorazepam to Egypt?

A doctor's letter does not make lorazepam lawful to bring into Egypt. Egypt has not published a permission process for travellers, and its own guidance lists benzodiazepines among medicines that cannot be carried. If you cannot travel without it, plan an alternative with your prescriber before you book; the Egyptian Drug Authority (hotline 15301) can answer questions in writing.

What if I run out of lorazepam in Egypt?

If you run out of a locally dispensed supply, go to a private hospital in Cairo, such as As-Salam International Hospital, and request an urgent consultation with a psychiatrist or neurologist who may issue an Egyptian prescription at their discretion. Bring all your existing documentation to support the consultation. Do not stop taking lorazepam abruptly without medical guidance.

Is lorazepam available in Egyptian pharmacies?

Generic lorazepam may be dispensed at hospital-affiliated pharmacies in Cairo and Alexandria, but it requires a prescription from an Egyptian-licensed physician. The international brand names Ativan and Tavor are not confirmed as stocked in Egypt, so do not rely on local refill.

Is Ativan available in Egypt?

Ativan, the brand name for lorazepam used in the US, Canada, UK, and several other countries, is not confirmed as stocked under that name in Egyptian pharmacies. Generic lorazepam may be available at hospital-affiliated pharmacies in major cities with a local prescription, but supply is not reliable. Do not bring lorazepam from home, because benzodiazepines cannot be carried into Egypt; talk to your prescriber about a plan before you travel.

Can I get a lorazepam prescription from a doctor in Egypt as a tourist?

A private doctor in Egypt can issue a prescription for lorazepam after a consultation, but it involves visiting a private hospital and undergoing a clinical assessment. As a controlled substance, prescribing is at the physician's discretion and not guaranteed for a tourist without established medical history. A private consultation costs approximately £E 500-1,500 (~$9.60-$28.80 / ~€7.98-€23.93).

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.

Read the practical guide →

Sources

  1. [1] Egypt Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960: Egyptian Drug Authority (full text)
  2. [2] Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population (CAPA): Guidelines for carrying medicines with travelers to Egypt for personal use
  3. [3] Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA): Ministry of Health and Population Decree No. 44 of 2026
  4. [4] Egyptian Drug Authority: Registered drug search
  5. [5] As-Salam International Hospital Cairo: Services directory
  6. [6] GOV.UK: Getting help, Egypt travel advice

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