Adderall in France: Not Approved, Alternatives

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Amphetamine is listed on the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (INCB Green List) and classified as a stupéfiant (narcotic) under French law. Adderall is not approved in France and cannot be prescribed or dispensed there.
Prescription required: Not applicable: Adderall is not sold in France. Methylphenidate-based brands (Ritalin, Concerta) and lisdexamfetamine (Xurta) are the only stimulant ADHD medications licensed in France, each requiring a specialist initiation prescription.
Available locally: No. Adderall and Adderall XR are not registered with the ANSM (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé) and are not stocked in French pharmacies. Xurta (lisdexamfetamine) became available in France in 2025 as a separate approved alternative.
Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture. Standard tablet storage applies; no cold-chain requirement.
Max supply to carry: French customs allows narcotic medicines in a quantity matching the treatment period on your original prescription (28 days if none is stated). Bringing Adderall specifically carries legal uncertainty. See import notes.
Key document: Your original prescription and a doctor's letter naming the brand (Adderall or Adderall XR), the active ingredient (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), dose, and daily quantity. Arriving from another Schengen country, also carry a Schengen certificate from your home authority. Because Adderall is not approved in France, consult ANSM directly before travel.
Emergency alternative: If your supply runs out in France, a French psychiatrist can initiate Xurta (lisdexamfetamine) or methylphenidate. This requires a new local consultation and prescription and cannot be done at a pharmacy counter without it.

Where to find Adderall in France

Pharmacie de garde (duty pharmacy)
Adderall is not registered in France; no French pharmacy legally stocks it. Duty pharmacies can direct you to urgent psychiatric care if your supply runs out.
Not available
Unknown
Hospital pharmacies (pharmacies hospitalières)
Hospital pharmacies dispense specialist-initiated ADHD medications such as Xurta (lisdexamfetamine) and Ritalin LP (methylphenidate), but not Adderall.
Not available
Unknown
Private pharmacy chains (Pharmacie Centrale, Pharmacie Lafayette)
These chains stock licensed ADHD stimulants including Ritalin and Concerta, but not Adderall or Adderall XR.
Not available
Unknown

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

Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is not approved for sale in France and is not registered with the ANSM (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament)^[1]. Amphetamine is classified as a stupéfiant (narcotic) under French law, meaning no French doctor can prescribe it and no French pharmacy can dispense it. Sibling brands Adderall XR and Mydayis share the same active ingredient and the same unapproved status. If you currently take Adderall, see our France ADHD travel guide for the broader medication import and psychiatrist access context.

France approves only methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and lisdexamfetamine (Xurta, authorised 2025) for ADHD. Neither is the same active ingredient as Adderall, and switching between drug classes requires a new prescriber evaluation^[2]. Plan your supply carefully before you depart.

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 France with Adderall

French customs requires the original prescription for narcotic and psychotropic medicines, and the quantity must match personal use for the treatment period on that prescription, or 28 days if none is stated.^[9] The ANSM issues no transport certificate to visitors^[10]; if you arrive from another Schengen country, carry a Schengen certificate from your home health authority. Because Adderall is not registered in France^[3], its import sits in a legal grey zone. Consult ANSM before travel for a formal position. See our France ADHD guide for the required documents under French narcotic import rules.

Naming Adderall on your doctor's letter

The letter must state the brand name (Adderall or Adderall XR), the international generic name (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), dose strength, daily quantity, and the duration of travel. French customs officers search the ANSM database by active ingredient, so including both the brand and INN maximises recognition of your documentation.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Because Adderall is not sold in France, bring these questions to your prescriber before departure.

Can you write a backup letter or prescription naming the active ingredient (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and the closest licensed French alternative, in case a French psychiatrist needs that information?
Can the doctor's letter include your registration number, prescriber licence number, and the clinical justification for this specific brand versus available alternatives?
If my trip extends beyond the period my prescription covers, what is the process for obtaining an extended-supply authorisation, and can your office liaise with ANSM on my behalf?
If I need to access ADHD treatment in France and a local psychiatrist initiates methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine, what should I tell them about my current dose and response history?
What is your emergency contact number or after-hours pathway if I need to reach you from France to confirm medication details?

How much Adderall to bring

Because Adderall cannot be refilled in France, you must carry your entire supply for the trip. French customs limits narcotic medicines to the quantity needed for the treatment period on your prescription, or 28 days without one^[9]; if your trip is longer, ask your prescriber to cover the full period and contact ANSM before departure. Build in a buffer of a few extra days in case of travel disruption, and keep the supply in its original labelled packaging.

Customs and security with Adderall in France

Amphetamine is a controlled substance under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and classified as a stupéfiant (narcotic) in France^[5]. Declare it at French customs with your original prescription; undeclared amphetamine salts at the border carry serious legal consequences. Adderall tablets should be kept in original manufacturer packaging in your carry-on luggage, not checked baggage, to allow immediate inspection. Security staff at French airports follow guidance from the DGDDI (Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects), not your prescribing country's rules.

Adderall is not approved in France. Declare it explicitly

Because Adderall has no ANSM marketing authorisation, French customs may query whether the medication is permitted at all. Carry your original prescription plus a doctor's letter and be prepared to explain that you are transiting or visiting with a personal supply under international narcotic treaty provisions. Having your records in a readable format, including the INN and dose, reduces delays at the border.

Adderall availability in France

Adderall vs sibling brands in France

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in France
Adderall	ADHD (not approved in France)	Immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts	Not available: not registered with ANSM
Adderall XR	ADHD (not approved in France)	Extended-release mixed amphetamine salts	Not available: not registered with ANSM
Mydayis	ADHD (not approved in France)	Triple-bead extended-release amphetamine salts	Not available: not registered with ANSM
Xurta (lisdexamfetamine)	ADHD (approved in France from 2025)	Oral capsule, once daily	Available: specialist initiation required, dispensed via hospital and community pharmacies
Ritalin / Ritalin LP (methylphenidate)	ADHD	Immediate-release and extended-release tablets	Available: specialist initiation required
Concerta (methylphenidate ER)	ADHD	OROS extended-release tablet	Available: specialist initiation required

Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis are all absent from the ANSM list of authorised medicinal products in France. This is not a supply shortage; these brands have never been submitted for French marketing authorisation. The critical distinction from sibling brands is the active ingredient: Adderall contains mixed amphetamine salts, whereas France's approved ADHD stimulants use methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine^[6], which are different active ingredients requiring separate clinical evaluation.

Because Adderall cannot be purchased in France, there is no local pricing to report. If you access a licensed alternative through a French psychiatrist, travellers without French social security cover pay the consultation and the medicine in full and should check what their travel insurance reimburses.

Pharmacy phrases for France

“Je prends de l'Adderall (sels d'amphétamine mixtes). Ce médicament n'est pas vendu en France: pouvez-vous m'indiquer où consulter un psychiatre en urgence ?”

I take Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts). This medication is not sold in France. Can you direct me to an emergency psychiatrist?

“Y a-t-il un équivalent disponible ici, comme la lisdexamfétamine (Xurta) ou le méthylphénidate (Ritalin) ?”

Is there an equivalent available here, such as lisdexamfetamine (Xurta) or methylphenidate (Ritalin)?

“J'ai une ordonnance étrangère pour de l'amphétamine. Pouvez-vous me dire si je peux obtenir une consultation psychiatrique aujourd'hui ?”

I have a foreign prescription for amphetamine. Can you tell me if I can get a psychiatric consultation today?

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Switching to a different brand or licensed alternative in France

Switching from Adderall to a French-licensed ADHD medication is not a simple substitution. Xurta (lisdexamfetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) are different active ingredients from amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, and each requires a new specialist evaluation in France^[7] before initiation. A French psychiatrist can write an initial prescription, but the clinical decision to switch drug class belongs to your treating clinician, not to a pharmacy. Raise the possibility of an emergency switch with your prescriber before you leave, so you have documented clinical context to share with a French doctor if needed.

Do not purchase amphetamines from unlicensed sources in France

Because Adderall has no legal supply chain in France, any source claiming to sell it without a prescription is operating outside French law. Purchasing from such sources exposes you to counterfeit or adulterated medication and to personal criminal liability under French narcotic law.

What to do if you run out of Adderall in France

If your Adderall supply runs out in France, no pharmacy can provide a replacement. Your first step is to contact a French psychiatrist or attend a hospital psychiatric department (service de psychiatrie) at a public hospital. French emergency psychiatric services are available via the SAMU at 15^[8] or by attending the nearest urgences (emergency department). A psychiatrist can evaluate you and initiate a licensed French alternative such as Xurta or methylphenidate, but this is a clinical decision and not a guaranteed outcome. Contact your prescribing doctor remotely to provide them with your clinical history before the French consultation.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Adderall legal in France?

No, Adderall has never held a marketing authorisation in France and cannot be prescribed or dispensed there. Amphetamine is classified as a stupéfiant under French law, so carrying it is legally risky even with a valid foreign prescription. For ADHD, France licenses lisdexamfetamine (Xurta, authorised January 2025) and methylphenidate; dexamfetamine (Attentin) is available only through ANSM compassionate access, mainly for narcolepsy. Speak to your prescriber about switching before you travel.

Can I bring Adderall into France legally?

French customs requires the original prescription for narcotic medicines, with a quantity matching the treatment period it covers; the ANSM issues no certificate to visitors. However, because Adderall is not approved in France, its import sits in a legal grey zone that the ANSM has not publicly clarified with an explicit exemption. Contact ANSM before travel to obtain a formal position, and carry your original prescription and a doctor's letter naming both the brand and the active ingredient at all times.

Is Adderall available in France?

No. Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is not registered with the ANSM and has no marketing authorisation in France. No French pharmacy stocks it, and no French doctor can legally prescribe it. Sibling brands Adderall XR and Mydayis share the same unapproved status. You must bring your full supply from your home country.

What is the difference between Adderall and Xurta (lisdexamfetamine) in France?

Adderall contains mixed amphetamine salts; Xurta contains lisdexamfetamine, a prodrug that is metabolised to dextroamphetamine in the body. Xurta received its French marketing authorisation in January 2025, making it the first amphetamine-class ADHD medication licensed there. The two drugs are different formulations of chemically related but distinct active ingredients, and switching between them requires a medical assessment. A pharmacist cannot substitute one for the other.

Can I switch from Adderall to Ritalin in France if my supply runs out?

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a different active ingredient from amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. A switch is not clinically automatic and requires evaluation by a French psychiatrist. A French doctor can initiate Ritalin after consultation, but the decision is theirs to make based on your history. Bring your full medication records, including your current dose and prescriber's contact details, to facilitate that consultation.

Does French health insurance cover ADHD medication for visiting travellers?

The French social security system (Assurance Maladie) covers ADHD medications for residents and, under reciprocal agreements, for EU/EEA visitors holding an EHIC for medically necessary care. Adderall is not reimbursable because it is not approved in France. If a French psychiatrist initiates a licensed alternative such as Xurta or methylphenidate, partial reimbursement may apply under your EHIC, but this is not guaranteed for visitors. Check your travel insurance policy for outpatient psychiatric consultation coverage before you travel.

Adderall in France: Not Approved, Legal Risk and Alternatives