Adderall XR in India: NDPS Rules, Supply and Prescribing

Adderall XR is not approved for sale in India. Bring your full supply with NDPS-compliant documentation before you travel.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Amphetamine is listed under Schedule I of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) 1985 in India. Possession without valid documentation carries serious criminal penalties.
Prescription required: Yes. A valid home-country prescription naming the brand and active ingredient is required. Indian psychiatrists cannot prescribe amphetamine-based medications as they are not approved for clinical use in India.
Available locally: No. Adderall XR is not registered or sold in India. Sibling brands Adderall (immediate-release) and Mydayis are also unavailable. No amphetamine-based ADHD medication is approved for sale in India.
Storage: Store below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep in original blister packaging with the pharmacy label intact.
Max supply to carry: India has no codified personal-use import allowance for Schedule I psychotropics under the NDPS Act. Bring only what is needed for your trip, supported by a prescription and doctor's letter. Consult the Central Bureau of Narcotics for guidance on permissible quantities before travel.
Key document: A doctor's letter naming 'Adderall XR' and 'amphetamine/dextroamphetamine', the prescribed dose, and the duration of the trip. Original pharmacy-dispensed packaging with the label showing the brand name.
Emergency alternative: If Adderall XR is unavailable or lost in India, consult a local psychiatrist immediately; do not attempt to substitute without medical supervision, as no amphetamine-equivalent is legally prescribable in India.

Where to find Adderall XR in India

Apollo Pharmacy
Apollo Pharmacy is one of India's largest chains but does not stock Adderall XR or any amphetamine-based medication, as the active ingredient is not approved under Indian law.
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MedPlus
MedPlus operates across major Indian cities but carries no amphetamine-containing products. Stock of any form of Adderall is not available.
Unknown
Netmeds / Reliance Retail Pharmacy
Online and in-store pharmacy chain. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine products are not listed in their catalogue and cannot be ordered.
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Adderall XR in India: what you need to know before you travel

Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, extended-release) is not registered or approved for sale in India^[1]. Amphetamine is scheduled under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, meaning no Indian pharmacy stocks it and no Indian doctor can legally prescribe it for ADHD. Sibling brands Adderall (immediate-release) and Mydayis share the same active ingredient and face identical legal restrictions.

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 India with Adderall XR

Because amphetamine is a Schedule I substance under the NDPS Act 1985^[2], bringing Adderall XR into India requires a detailed doctor's letter naming the brand and the active ingredient. For the full import paperwork process, including what to carry at customs and how to communicate with Indian border authorities, see our ADHD in India guide.

Naming Adderall XR on your doctor's letter

The letter must state both the brand name 'Adderall XR' and the international generic name 'amphetamine/dextroamphetamine', your prescribed dose, and the trip duration. Indian customs officers may search the brand name in their system, so listing both ensures recognition.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Raise these before your trip, as Indian doctors cannot prescribe amphetamine and there is no local backup option.

If Adderall XR is lost or damaged in India, is there a non-amphetamine ADHD medication that could bridge my care until I return, and can you write a contingency prescription for that alternative?
Can you write a doctor's letter naming both 'Adderall XR' and 'amphetamine/dextroamphetamine', with your registration number, my diagnosis, prescribed dose, and the full duration of my trip?
How many days of supply should I bring, given that no local refill is possible in India?
If my trip extends unexpectedly, what is your preferred method for me to contact you from India and arrange emergency documentation?
Are there any storage or stability concerns specific to my dose of Adderall XR in a hot, humid climate that I should plan for?

How much Adderall XR to bring

Bring your complete supply for the entire trip^[2]. There is no pharmacy in India that can dispense Adderall XR or any amphetamine-based product, and no Indian prescriber can write a valid local prescription for it. Add a buffer of at least five extra days in case of travel disruption. Keep the medication in its original dispensed packaging with the pharmacy label showing the brand name clearly.

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Adderall XR in India

Declare Adderall XR at the customs red channel on arrival. India's Central Bureau of Narcotics oversees Schedule I psychotropic imports^[3], and customs officers may request your doctor's letter and original dispensing label before permitting entry. Adderall XR comes as an oral extended-release capsule, which does not trigger liquid restrictions, but the controlled status means physical inspection is likely. Carry all documentation in your hand luggage alongside the medication so it is immediately accessible.

Do not split your supply across checked and carry-on bags

If checked baggage is delayed or lost, you have no local source for Adderall XR in India. Keep your entire supply in your carry-on with documentation.

While in country

Adderall XR availability in India

Adderall XR vs sibling brands in India

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in India
Adderall XR	ADHD	Extended-release capsule	Not available. Not registered under the NDPS Act.
Adderall	ADHD	Immediate-release tablet	Not available. Same NDPS Schedule I restriction as Adderall XR.
Mydayis	ADHD (once-daily, longer duration)	Extended-release capsule (triple-bead)	Not available. Not registered in India.

Adderall XR is not registered with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and cannot be purchased at any pharmacy in India^[4]. This applies equally to its immediate-release sibling Adderall and to Mydayis. No Indian psychiatrist can write a valid prescription for any amphetamine-based product. The extended-release formulation of Adderall XR is also categorically different in duration profile from Adderall IR, so the sibling distinction matters clinically even if both are unavailable locally.

Because no purchase is possible in India, there is no local price to quote for Adderall XR or its siblings. Travel insurance typically does not cover costs associated with obtaining controlled psychotropics abroad. Budget planning should assume your full supply must be sourced before departure.

Pharmacy phrases in Hindi

“क्या आपके पास Adderall XR है?”

Do you have Adderall XR?

“अगर नहीं, तो क्या आपके पास कोई एम्फेटामीन या डेक्स्ट्रोएम्फेटामीन की दवा है?”

If not, do you have any amphetamine or dextroamphetamine medication?

“मुझे अपने डॉक्टर के पत्र के साथ ADHD की दवा लानी होगी। मुझे स्थानीय न्यूरोलॉजिस्ट या मनोचिकित्सक से मिलने की ज़रूरत है।”

I need to access ADHD medication and have a doctor's letter. I need to see a local neurologist or psychiatrist.

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Switching to a different brand or generic in India

No amphetamine-based alternative, including Adderall IR and Mydayis, is legally prescribable or dispensable in India^[5]. Indian psychiatrists can prescribe methylphenidate-based medications (such as Ritalin or Concerta) for ADHD, but these are a different active ingredient and any switch must be supervised by a physician.

Mydayis differs from Adderall XR not just in brand but in its triple-bead extended-release mechanism, so even within the amphetamine class a substitution is not straightforward. Consult a local psychiatrist and see our ADHD in India guide for details on what is available.

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Adderall XR in India

If your Adderall XR supply is lost or stolen, contact your prescribing doctor immediately for guidance, as no Indian pharmacy or hospital can dispense a replacement. File a police report so you have documentation if questioned by customs on departure.

See a psychiatrist at a major private hospital such as Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, or Max Healthcare, as they can assess your situation and discuss non-amphetamine bridging options under medical supervision. Call your travel insurer's emergency line to understand what costs they cover.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Adderall XR legal in India?

Amphetamine is a Schedule I substance under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, and Adderall XR is not registered or sold in India. You may carry a personal supply, but you must declare it at the customs red channel with a doctor's letter naming both the brand and the active ingredient, plus original pharmacy-labelled packaging. Travelling without that documentation carries serious criminal penalties.

How do I bring Adderall XR into India legally?

Carry your full supply in original dispensed packaging with a doctor's letter stating the brand name, active ingredient (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), dose, and trip duration. Declare the medication at the customs red channel on arrival. India does not publish a fixed maximum personal-use quantity for Schedule I psychotropics, so consult the Central Bureau of Narcotics before you travel for current guidance.

Is Adderall XR available in India?

No. Adderall XR is not registered with India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and is not stocked by any pharmacy chain in India. Amphetamine, the active ingredient, is listed under Schedule I of the NDPS Act 1985, which prohibits its sale, purchase, or prescription for any purpose in India.

What is the difference between Adderall XR and Adderall in India?

Adderall XR is an extended-release capsule designed for once-daily dosing, while Adderall is an immediate-release tablet typically taken two to three times a day. In India, the distinction is largely academic: both are Schedule I NDPS substances and neither is available for purchase or prescription. You must bring whichever formulation you take for your entire stay.

Can I switch from Adderall XR to Mydayis in India if I run out?

Mydayis is also not available in India and shares the same NDPS Schedule I restriction. Even if a supply were theoretically accessible, Mydayis uses a triple-bead extended-release mechanism with a different duration profile, and switching between them is a clinical decision requiring a physician. Any substitution, including to methylphenidate-based ADHD medications that are legally prescribable in India, must be supervised by a local doctor.

What ADHD medications can a psychiatrist prescribe in India if I need care locally?

Indian psychiatrists can prescribe methylphenidate-based medications such as Ritalin (methylphenidate IR) and Concerta (methylphenidate ER), which are available at hospital pharmacies in major cities. Atomoxetine (Strattera) is also available and does not carry the same NDPS restrictions. Neither is a direct equivalent to Adderall XR, and any switch requires physician supervision.

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.