Vyvanse in Germany: BtMG Status, Elvanse, and Prescribing

Vyvanse is not marketed in Germany, but the same ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, is sold as Elvanse. Know the rules and prescribing pathway.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Lisdexamfetamine is scheduled under Germany's Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG) as a controlled narcotic. Both Vyvanse and its German equivalent Elvanse fall under this schedule.
Prescription required: Yes. A German Betäubungsmittelrezept (BTM prescription) is required. Specialist (psychiatrist or neurologist) initiation is standard.
Available locally: Vyvanse is not sold under that brand name in Germany. Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is the approved brand. Supply of Elvanse has been intermittently affected by wider European lisdexamfetamine shortages.
Storage: Store below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light. Keep in original packaging.
Max supply to carry: Under BtMG, a single BTM prescription may cover a maximum 30-day supply. Travellers may import up to a 30-day personal supply with appropriate documentation.
Key document: Doctor's letter naming Vyvanse (and its German-market equivalent Elvanse) plus the INN lisdexamfetamine, dosage, and your name. A BtMG-compliant prescription from your home prescriber also strengthens your customs declaration.
Emergency alternative: If neither Vyvanse nor Elvanse is immediately accessible, a local psychiatrist can issue a German BTM prescription for Elvanse; consult your own doctor before making any switch.

Where to find Vyvanse in Germany

Elvanse via any Apotheke (pharmacy) with BTM prescription
Elvanse is the only lisdexamfetamine brand approved in Germany. Stock varies by city; larger urban Apotheken (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg) carry it more reliably. Call ahead before visiting.
€80–€120 (~$88–$132) for a 30-day pack, depending on dose strength; statutory health insurance (GKV) typically reimburses most of this cost for approved indications.
Intermittent
DocMorris (online Apotheke)
Germany's largest certified online pharmacy can dispense Elvanse against a valid German BTM prescription; delivery within Germany only.
Comparable to in-store pricing.
Intermittent
Shop Apotheke
Another major certified online Apotheke; BTM prescriptions must be posted or uploaded via their BTM-verified workflow before dispensing.
Comparable to in-store pricing.
Intermittent

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Vyvanse in Germany: what you need to know

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not approved or marketed under that brand name in Germany. The approved German-market brand is Elvanse^[1], which contains the same active ingredient at identical dose strengths. Both Vyvanse and Elvanse are scheduled under Germany's Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG), meaning they require a controlled-substance prescription and specific import documentation. For the full paperwork flow, see our ADHD medication guide for Germany.

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.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to Germany with Vyvanse

Lisdexamfetamine is a BtMG-scheduled controlled substance requiring a formal import certificate^[2] for quantities above a 30-day supply. For the full application process, certificate names, and timelines, see our ADHD medication guide for Germany.

The critical brand-specific point: your doctor's letter must name Vyvanse by brand as well as its German-market name Elvanse and the INN lisdexamfetamine, so customs officers recognise the substance under either name.

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

The letter should state 'Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), also marketed as Elvanse in Germany', plus your dose and daily quantity. German customs may run a database check under either brand name, and listing both prevents unnecessary delays.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring these questions to your next appointment before departure.

If Elvanse (the German-market equivalent of Vyvanse) is out of stock locally, can you write a backup letter or prescription that references lisdexamfetamine by INN so a German psychiatrist can issue a local BTM prescription?
Can you provide a doctor's letter that names both Vyvanse and Elvanse, includes my dose in milligrams, and carries your registration number, to satisfy German customs requirements?
If my trip extends beyond 30 days, what is the safest way to obtain an additional supply, given BtMG limits on a single prescription?
Are there any clinical considerations I should be aware of if a German doctor needs to prescribe Elvanse in a dose strength that differs from my current Vyvanse dose?
What is the best way to reach you or your practice from Germany if I need remote support with documentation or an emergency prescription?

How much Vyvanse to bring

Germany permits a personal import of up to 30 days of BtMG-scheduled medication^[3] without a separate import certificate. Elvanse availability in German Apotheken has been intermittently affected by European supply constraints, so bring your full trip supply rather than planning to refill locally. Add a small buffer if your itinerary could extend unexpectedly.

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Vyvanse in Germany

Vyvanse is an oral capsule; it does not trigger liquid or sharp-item security rules at the airport. Carry it in your hand luggage in original blister or bottle packaging, with your doctor's letter accessible. At German customs, declare lisdexamfetamine on your customs form^[4] and present your documentation proactively. Because the brand name on your packaging reads Vyvanse rather than Elvanse, having a letter that names both reduces the chance of a hold.

While in country

Vyvanse availability in Germany

Vyvanse vs Elvanse in Germany

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in Germany
Vyvanse	ADHD (adults and children); binge eating disorder	Oral capsule (20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg)	Not approved or stocked in Germany under this brand name
Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine)	ADHD (adults and children 6+); binge eating disorder	Oral capsule (20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg)	Approved and dispensed in Germany; intermittent supply constraints reported

Elvanse is approved by Germany's Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM)^[5] and dispensed at licensed Apotheken against a BTM prescription. A German psychiatrist or neurologist must issue that prescription; your foreign prescription is not accepted for local dispensing. Supply has been intermittently disrupted across Germany and other European countries as demand has outpaced manufacturing capacity for lisdexamfetamine.

Patients covered by Germany's statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) pay a standard co-payment of €5–€10 (~$5.50–$11) per prescription^[6]. Travellers without GKV coverage pay the full retail price, typically €80–€120 (~$88–$132) for a 30-day pack depending on dose. Private health insurance may reimburse part of this cost; check your policy before travel.

Pharmacy phrases in German

“Haben Sie Elvanse? Ich nehme normalerweise Vyvanse mit dem gleichen Wirkstoff Lisdexamfetamin.”

Do you have Elvanse? I normally take Vyvanse, which contains the same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine.

“Können Sie prüfen, ob Elvanse in einer anderen Apotheke auf Lager ist?”

Can you check whether Elvanse is in stock at another pharmacy?

“Ich brauche ein Rezept von einem Psychiater für Elvanse (Lisdexamfetamin). Können Sie mir eine Überweisung geben?”

I need a prescription from a psychiatrist for Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine). Can you give me a referral?

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Switching to Elvanse or a generic in Germany

Vyvanse and Elvanse share the same active ingredient, dose strengths, and capsule formulation, so a substitution is pharmacologically straightforward. However, only a German-licensed doctor can make that substitution official by issuing a BTM prescription for Elvanse. No pharmacist can substitute across brands on a BTM prescription without explicit prescriber instruction.

There is no approved generic lisdexamfetamine product on the German market as of mid-2025, so Elvanse is the sole dispensable option if you cannot obtain your own supply. Consult your own prescriber before travel to prepare a contingency plan.

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in Germany

Report lost or stolen medication to local police first, as a police report can support a replacement request. Contact a German psychiatrist or neurologist to request a new BTM prescription for Elvanse; same-day urgent appointments are available through Kassenärztliche Bereitschaftsdienst (call 116 117) or private out-of-hours clinics in major cities.

Bring your original doctor's letter, any remaining packaging, and your IPS or medication record to that appointment. Your home prescriber may also be able to send a supporting letter electronically to speed up the local process.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in Germany?

Yes, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is legal to bring into Germany, but only under strict conditions: travellers may import up to a 30-day personal supply, and must carry a doctor's letter that names the medication, its German-market equivalent Elvanse, the INN lisdexamfetamine, the dosage, and the patient's name.

Is Vyvanse available in Germany?

Vyvanse is not sold under that brand name in Germany. The same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, is marketed in Germany as Elvanse by Takeda. Elvanse is dispensed at licensed Apotheken against a German BTM prescription issued by a psychiatrist or neurologist. If you arrive with Vyvanse packaging, a German pharmacist cannot dispense Elvanse against your foreign prescription; you need a new local BTM prescription.

Do I need a special permit to bring Vyvanse into Germany?

For a personal supply of up to 30 days, a detailed doctor's letter (naming Vyvanse, Elvanse, and the INN lisdexamfetamine, with dose and your name) is sufficient for German customs. Quantities above 30 days require a formal import certificate under BtMG. For the full certificate application process, see our ADHD medication guide for Germany.

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Elvanse in Germany?

Vyvanse and Elvanse are the same molecule (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) manufactured by Takeda, sold under different brand names in different markets. Vyvanse is the name used in North America and several other countries; Elvanse is the name used in Germany and most of Europe. The dose strengths, capsule formulation, and therapeutic indications are identical. The practical difference for travellers is purely one of brand name recognition at the pharmacy counter and on customs documentation.

Can I switch from Vyvanse to Elvanse in Germany if my supply runs out?

Pharmacologically, Vyvanse and Elvanse are the same product. A switch is not a change in therapy. However, a German Apotheke cannot dispense Elvanse without a valid German BTM prescription in your name. You will need to see a local psychiatrist or neurologist who can issue that prescription. Bring your existing documentation, including your doctor's letter and any original Vyvanse packaging, to that appointment. Confirm the plan with your home prescriber before you travel.

How much does Elvanse cost in Germany without insurance?

Without German statutory health insurance (GKV), the out-of-pocket retail price for a 30-day pack of Elvanse is typically €80–€120 (~$88–$132), varying by dose strength. GKV-insured patients pay a standard prescription co-payment of €5–€10 (~$5.50–$11). Private travel insurance may partially reimburse the full retail cost; check your policy terms before travel.

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.