Vyvanse in India: Not Approved, Import Ban and Alternatives

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not approved in India; its active ingredient is prohibited for import. Bring alternatives and read this before you fly.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Prohibited. Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, which India classifies as a prohibited psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Import is not permitted under any personal-use exemption.
Prescription required: Irrelevant, Vyvanse is not approved for sale in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and cannot be dispensed at any Indian pharmacy.
Available locally: No. Vyvanse is not registered in India. Its sibling brand, Elvanse (the same active ingredient), is also not registered in India. No lisdexamfetamine product is legally sold in Indian pharmacies.
Storage: Store below 30°C, away from moisture and direct light. Keep in original packaging at all times when travelling.
Max supply to carry: Bringing Vyvanse into India is not permitted under current NDPS Act rules. Do not attempt to import without verifying the legal position with the Narcotics Commissioner before departure.
Key document: Consult the Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, before travel. A doctor's letter and prescription alone are not sufficient for a prohibited substance.
Emergency alternative: If you cannot take Vyvanse, ask your prescriber before travel whether methylphenidate (available in India under Schedule X) or atomoxetine (available as Attentrol, Axepta, or Atomoxet in India) could be considered as alternatives under medical supervision.

Where to find Vyvanse in India

Apollo Pharmacy
Vyvanse is not registered in India. Apollo Pharmacy cannot legally stock or dispense it.
Unknown
MedPlus
MedPlus operates over 4,500 outlets across India but cannot stock an unregistered prohibited substance.
Unknown
Wellness Forever
Wellness Forever pharmacies stock Schedule X medications but cannot dispense Vyvanse, which is not approved by CDSCO.
Unknown

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Vyvanse in India: what the import ban means for your trip

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not approved for sale in India by the CDSCO, and its active ingredient is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, an amphetamine-class compound that India treats as a prohibited psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Its sibling brand, Elvanse, is also not registered in India. This means you cannot purchase or refill Vyvanse anywhere in India, and bringing it across the border carries serious legal risk that you must address before you travel.^[1]^[2]

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 Vyvanse

Because lisdexamfetamine is an amphetamine-class compound, its import requires prior permission from the Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, before you depart. A doctor's letter and prescription alone are not sufficient. For the full NDPS permit process, see our ADHD in India travel guide.^[3]

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

Any documentation should list the brand name (Vyvanse), the international generic name (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), and your prescribed dose. Customs officers in India may search both names, so including both ensures recognition. Present this alongside any permit documentation from the Narcotics Commissioner.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Raise these with your prescriber well before your departure date, as the NDPS permit process takes time.

If Vyvanse cannot be legally imported into India for my trip, can you write a prescription for a permitted alternative such as methylphenidate or atomoxetine, both of which are available in India?
Can your letter explicitly name both 'Vyvanse' and 'lisdexamfetamine dimesylate' alongside my dose and the medical necessity, to accompany any Narcotics Commissioner permit application?
If my trip extends beyond 30 days, what is the maximum supply I should bring and how should I document this for Indian customs?
What is the best way to contact you from India in an emergency if I need to switch medication or if my supply is confiscated at customs?
Are there any clinical considerations I should discuss with an Indian psychiatrist before switching to a locally available ADHD medication if Vyvanse is not accessible?

How much Vyvanse to bring

Given that Vyvanse cannot be refilled anywhere in India, you must carry your entire trip supply from home. International travellers seeking to bring a psychotropic substance into India must seek the Narcotics Commissioner's permission before departure and accompany the application with a prescription. If your permit application is denied or you cannot obtain one in time, discuss alternative medications with your prescriber before you fly.^[3]

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Vyvanse in India

Lisdexamfetamine is an amphetamine-class compound. Attempting to carry Vyvanse into India without prior authorisation from the Narcotics Commissioner risks detention and charges under the NDPS Act, regardless of whether you hold a valid foreign prescription. The NDPS Act places the burden of proof on the accused to establish innocence, which means a customs stop without a permit is legally serious. Keep your full documentation set (permit, prescription, and prescriber letter) together in your hand luggage, not in checked bags.^[4]

Do not mail or courier Vyvanse to India

Postal import of psychotropic substances without a licence from the Narcotics Commissioner is a criminal offence under the NDPS Act, 1985. Do not send Vyvanse by post or courier to an Indian address under any circumstances.

While in country

Vyvanse availability in India

Vyvanse vs sibling brands in India

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in India
Vyvanse	ADHD (adults and children 6+); binge eating disorder (adults)	Capsule (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)	Not available. Not approved by CDSCO; active ingredient prohibited under NDPS Act.
Elvanse	ADHD (adults and children 6+)	Capsule (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)	Not available. Not registered in India; same prohibition applies.

Neither Vyvanse nor its sibling brand Elvanse is registered with the CDSCO. In July 2024, India's Subject Expert Committee for Neurology and Psychiatry recommended that a marketing authorisation applicant conduct a Phase III clinical trial in Indian population before lisdexamfetamine could be considered for approval, meaning no CDSCO approval exists at the time of writing. You cannot obtain Vyvanse at any Indian pharmacy, hospital, or clinic.^[5]

No retail price exists for Vyvanse in India because the product is not legally sold there. If you are quoted Vyvanse by an informal supplier or online pharmacy claiming to operate within India, treat this with extreme caution, as obtaining a prohibited psychotropic substance through unlicensed channels carries criminal liability under the NDPS Act.

Pharmacy phrases for India

“क्या आपके पास Vyvanse है?”

Do you have Vyvanse?

“अगर नहीं, तो क्या आपके पास lisdexamfetamine है?”

If not, do you have lisdexamfetamine?

“मुझे ADHD की दवा के लिए मनोचिकित्सक से मिलना है।”

I need to see a psychiatrist for ADHD medication.

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Switching to a different brand or generic in India

Because Elvanse is the only sibling brand of lisdexamfetamine and shares the same registration status (not approved in India), there is no within-class brand switch available in the country. Methylphenidate, a different molecule, is available in India under Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and as a controlled substance under the NDPS Act.

Atomoxetine is available without NDPS scheduling under brands such as Attentrol, Axepta, and Atomoxet. Switching from Vyvanse to either of these is a clinical decision that requires a local psychiatrist's input. Discuss the options with your prescriber before you travel, not after you arrive.^[6]

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in India

If your Vyvanse supply is lost, stolen, or confiscated, you cannot replace it in India. No Indian pharmacy stocks the brand or any equivalent lisdexamfetamine product. Contact your prescriber at home immediately to establish whether a telemedicine consultation can result in a prescription for a locally available medication.

Private psychiatrists at major hospitals in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai can assess you and, if clinically appropriate, prescribe methylphenidate or atomoxetine under Indian regulations. Keep a digital and printed copy of your full medication record in your travel documents. Your Nomedic International Patient Summary can share your diagnosis and current medication details with any Indian clinician instantly.^[3]

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in India?

Vyvanse is not approved in India and lisdexamfetamine is treated as an amphetamine class substance. India has notified a prohibition on amphetamine under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. A formal NDPS import-permission route does exist through the Narcotics Commissioner, and you must apply well before you travel, but do not assume it covers this class. Never fly with it on a foreign prescription alone: carrying an NDPS substance without written permission can be treated as trafficking. Where permission is granted, the cap is a 30 day supply and no more than 100 dosage units.

Is Vyvanse available in India?

No. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not approved by India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and is not stocked at any Indian pharmacy. India's Subject Expert Committee recommended in July 2024 that an applicant first complete Phase III clinical trials in the Indian population before any approval could be considered. Neither Vyvanse nor its sibling brand Elvanse is registered in India.

Can I bring Vyvanse into India legally?

This is a serious legal risk. Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, which India classifies as a prohibited psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985. International travellers who need to bring a scheduled or prohibited psychotropic substance into India must seek prior permission from the Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, before departure. A doctor's letter and prescription alone are not sufficient. Do not attempt to bring Vyvanse across the Indian border without verifying this position and obtaining the required documentation.

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Elvanse in India?

Vyvanse and Elvanse share the same active ingredient (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) and are manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. The key difference is market: Vyvanse is the brand name used primarily in North America, Australia, and Brazil, while Elvanse is the brand used in the European Union. In India, the distinction is irrelevant for travellers, neither brand is approved by CDSCO, and neither is legally available in Indian pharmacies.

Can I switch from Vyvanse to methylphenidate in India if my supply runs out?

Methylphenidate is a different molecule from lisdexamfetamine, and any switch is a clinical decision that must involve a qualified psychiatrist. Methylphenidate is available in India under Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules at licensed pharmacies, but you need a prescription from a registered Indian medical practitioner to obtain it. If you think this scenario is possible, discuss it with your prescriber at home before you travel so that a plan is in place.

Is atomoxetine available in India as an alternative to Vyvanse?

Atomoxetine is prescription-only in India and is not scheduled under the NDPS Act, making it considerably easier to access than stimulant medications. It is sold in India under the brand names Attentrol, Axepta, and Atomoxet. Whether atomoxetine is clinically appropriate as an alternative to Vyvanse for your specific situation is a question for your prescriber and any Indian psychiatrist you consult.

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.