Atomoxetine in India: Schedule H, Strattera and Pharmacy Access

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is prescription-only in India under Schedule H. Bring a full supply with a doctor's letter and original packaging.

Quick reference

Drug class: Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Controlled substance: No: restricted under India's Schedule H (prescription-only, not a narcotic)
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: Yes: available as generic atomoxetine and branded formulations at major pharmacies in metropolitan cities; supply patchy outside urban centres
Storage: Room temperature, 15–30°C; protect from humidity and direct sunlight
Max supply to carry: No statutory import quantity cap for personal use, but carry documentation to justify the quantity brought
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating medication name (INN and brand), dose, quantity, and diagnosis
Emergency alternative: Visit a psychiatrist at a private hospital in any major Indian city to obtain a local Schedule H prescription for generic atomoxetine.

Travelling to India with atomoxetine: what changes

Atomoxetine, sold internationally as Strattera, is classified as a Schedule H prescription-only drug under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act^[1]. It is not a controlled narcotic, but you cannot legally obtain it without a valid prescription. India's summer heat, pharmacy stock variability outside major cities, and the need for a locally valid prescription if you need a refill all require preparation before you fly.

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 atomoxetine

Atomoxetine is not a narcotic and no advance import permit is required to bring it into India for personal use. You do, however, need a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead listing the INN, brand name, dose, and quantity^[2]. Carry the letter in your hand luggage alongside the original pharmacy-labelled packaging. See the ADHD in India guide for the full documentation requirements.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to renew your prescription and request a travel letter covering the full duration of your trip, plus a two-week buffer.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Confirm your pharmacy can dispense the full supply in original, individually labelled packaging. Generic atomoxetine blister packs with a dispensing label are acceptable.Dispensing label
No import permit application is needed for India. Use this window to source a cooling wallet if travelling in peak summer months (April to June).
T-7 days
Request an English-language letter if your clinic issues documents in another language. Indian customs officers work in English; a Hindi translation is not required but may help in secondary screening.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print two copies of your doctor's letter and prescription. Pack medication in carry-on in original packaging. Place a backup supply in checked luggage if your total quantity allows splitting.
T-0 (border)
Atomoxetine does not require a customs declaration in India for personal quantities. Keep documents accessible in your bag rather than packed deep in luggage in case of secondary screening.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full legal name, medication name (atomoxetine INN and Strattera brand), dose and frequency, total quantity carried, diagnosis (one word or ICD code), doctor's full name, signature, registration number, and clinic letterhead with date. No notarisation or apostille is required for India.

India does not require notarisation or apostille on medical letters for personal medication import. An English-language letter is sufficient. Keep all documents together in a single folder in your carry-on.

How much atomoxetine to bring

India has no statutory cap on the personal import quantity of Schedule H medications for travellers, but carrying more than a three-month supply without supporting documentation^[3] may prompt questions at customs. Bring your full intended trip duration plus a 14-day buffer. Obtaining a new prescription locally is possible but requires a psychiatrist visit, which adds time and cost.

Check whether your travel insurance reimburses the cost of replacing medication if your supply is lost or delayed. Most policies require a police report for lost medication claims.

Split your supply

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

Packing and storing atomoxetine for travel

Atomoxetine capsules should be stored at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C, protected from light and humidity^[4]. India's summer temperatures frequently exceed 40°C in northern and central regions from April to June, so keep medication in your carry-on bag away from direct sunlight during transit. A small insulated pouch is adequate; refrigeration is not required.

Do not leave medication in a parked car or in checked luggage in a hot aircraft hold for extended periods. Store in a hotel room away from windows and humidity sources such as bathrooms.

At the airport and border

Airport security with atomoxetine

Atomoxetine capsules are solid-dose medication and are not subject to liquid or gel restrictions at airport security. Keep them in your carry-on bag in original blister packs or bottles with the pharmacy label attached.

Security officers at Indian airports may ask about prescription medication in your bag. Present your doctor's letter if asked. You are not required to volunteer the information unprompted, but having the letter immediately accessible prevents delays.

Customs and medication import rules for India

Atomoxetine is not listed under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and does not require a customs declaration or import permit. Under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs personal effects guidelines^[5], prescription medication for personal use is permitted entry when accompanied by a valid prescription or doctor's letter.

If a customs officer questions your medication, present the original packaging with the pharmacy dispensing label and your doctor's letter. A quantity consistent with your planned stay duration and the 14-day buffer is unlikely to raise concern.

Keep original packaging intact

Do not transfer capsules to a pill organiser before arriving in India. Customs officers verify that the medication, label, and documentation match. Original blister packs or manufacturer bottles with the dispensing label are your strongest evidence of legitimate personal use.

While in country

Atomoxetine availability in India

Brands of atomoxetine sold in India

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Atomoxetine (generic, multiple manufacturers)	ADHD	Capsules (10 mg, 18 mg, 25 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg)	Available at major pharmacy chains in metro cities; patchy supply in smaller towns
Attentin (Sun Pharma)	ADHD	Capsules (10 mg, 18 mg, 25 mg, 40 mg)	Stocked at Sun Pharma-affiliated chains; prescription required; verify stock before relying on local supply

Generic atomoxetine is manufactured in India and available at pharmacy chains in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. A valid Schedule H prescription from a registered Indian physician is required to dispense it^[6]. Foreign prescriptions are not directly accepted at Indian pharmacies, so you cannot use a prescription from your home prescriber to obtain a refill locally.

Generic atomoxetine 40 mg capsules (strip of 10) cost approximately ₹300–₹600 (~$3.50–$7 / ~€3.25–€6.50) at a retail pharmacy, making local pricing far lower than in many other countries. Availability outside metropolitan areas is unreliable, so do not plan on local resupply if travelling to rural or remote regions.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe atomoxetine in India

A psychiatrist registered with the Medical Council of India can prescribe atomoxetine. Private hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad all have psychiatry departments with English-speaking clinicians. For broader context on provider access in India, see the India travel guide.

A private psychiatry consultation in India typically costs ₹800–₹2,500 (~$9.50–$30 / ~€8.75–€27). Telemedicine platforms such as Practo and Apollo 24/7 offer psychiatry consultations in English and can issue digital prescriptions valid at Indian pharmacies.

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Storing atomoxetine while in India

Atomoxetine capsules are stable at room temperature up to 30°C. In Indian cities during April to June, indoor temperatures without air conditioning routinely exceed this threshold. Store your medication in an air-conditioned room and keep it away from windows, direct sunlight, and bathroom humidity.^[4]

Power cuts occur in some Indian cities, particularly in summer. If your hotel loses electricity for more than a few hours, move medication to a cool, dark drawer. Atomoxetine does not require refrigeration, so brief power outages do not compromise the supply as they would with insulin.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your atomoxetine in India

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report (FIR) at the nearest police station immediately. Your travel insurer will require the FIR reference number to process a replacement claim.

If you run out unexpectedly, book a same-day or next-day psychiatry consultation at a private hospital. Bring your original packaging, doctor's letter, and any digital prescription records. The prescribing psychiatrist can issue a Schedule H prescription for generic atomoxetine, which a pharmacy in the same city can dispense the same day.

“मुझे एटोमोक्सेटीन चाहिए। (Mujhe atomoxetine chahiye.) | मेरे पास डॉक्टर का पत्र है। (Mere paas doctor ka patra hai.) | कृपया डॉक्टर को बुलाएं। (Kripaya doctor ko bulayen.) | निकटतम फार्मेसी कहाँ है? (Niktatam pharmacy kahan hai?)”

I need atomoxetine. | I have a doctor's letter. | Please call a doctor. | Where is the nearest pharmacy?

India's national emergency number is 112^[7]. For medical emergencies, you can also call 108, which connects to ambulance services in most Indian states.

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Frequently asked questions

Is atomoxetine legal in India?

Yes, atomoxetine is legal in India. It is a Schedule H prescription-only medicine rather than a narcotic, and it is not listed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, so no customs declaration or import permit is required. Carry a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating the INN, brand, dose, quantity and diagnosis.

Can I bring atomoxetine into India without an import permit?

Yes. Atomoxetine is not listed under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and does not require an import permit. Carry the medication in original packaging with a doctor's letter and a valid prescription for personal use quantities.

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

A doctor's letter is not legally mandatory for atomoxetine entry into India, but it is strongly advisable. It demonstrates that the medication is for personal medical use and can prevent delays if customs or security officers question the supply.

Is Strattera available at pharmacies in India?

Strattera (the branded formulation sold in the US, UK, and several other countries) is not widely stocked in Indian pharmacies. Generic atomoxetine and Sun Pharma's Attentin brand are available in major metropolitan cities with a valid Indian prescription. Supply outside large cities is unreliable.

What if I run out of atomoxetine while travelling in India?

Book a consultation with a psychiatrist at a private hospital in the nearest city. They can issue a Schedule H prescription for generic atomoxetine, which any large pharmacy in the same city can fill on the same day. A private consultation costs approximately ₹800–₹2,500 (~$9.50–$30 / ~€8.75–€27).

How should I store atomoxetine during India's hot summers?

Atomoxetine should be stored between 15°C and 30°C. During Indian summer months (April to June), keep the medication in an air-conditioned room, away from windows and bathroom humidity. It does not require refrigeration, so brief power outages do not degrade the capsules.

Can I get a prescription for atomoxetine from an Indian doctor as a traveller?

Yes. A psychiatrist registered with the Medical Council of India can prescribe atomoxetine after a consultation. Telemedicine platforms such as Practo and Apollo 24/7 offer English-language psychiatry consultations and can issue a digital prescription valid at Indian pharmacies.

Related practical guide

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