Atomoxetine in Indonesia: BPOM Rules, Xenocy and Import

Atomoxetine is prescription-only in Indonesia and not a controlled substance. Bring a 90-day supply with a doctor's letter and original prescription.

Quick reference

  • Drug class: Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
  • Controlled substance: No, not scheduled under Indonesian Law No. 35 of 2009 (narcotics) or Law No. 5 of 1997 (psychotropics)
  • Prescription required: Yes, prescription-only (obat keras) in Indonesia
  • Available locally: Yes, sold as Xenocy at larger pharmacy chains (e.g. Kimia Farma) with a valid Indonesian prescription
  • Storage: Room temperature, 15–30°C. Keep dry. No refrigeration needed.
  • Max supply to carry: Up to 90 days with a valid prescription and doctor's letter (BPOM personal-import guideline for non-controlled prescription medications)
  • Key document: Doctor's letter on official letterhead plus original prescription; English or Bahasa Indonesia acceptable, no notarisation required
  • Emergency alternative: Attend a psychiatry department at a major private hospital (e.g. Siloam, Pondok Indah) to obtain a local Indonesian prescription for Xenocy.

Atomoxetine in Indonesia: what changes when you travel

Atomoxetine, sold globally as Strattera and in Indonesia as Xenocy, is not scheduled under Indonesian narcotics or psychotropics law[1], which makes it significantly easier to travel with than stimulant alternatives. The main travel challenges include Indonesia's tropical heat[2], which can push ambient temperatures above the recommended storage upper limit of 30°C. A foreign prescription cannot be dispensed at Indonesian pharmacies, so you must also obtain a local prescription from an Indonesian-registered doctor if you need to refill in-country.

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. Regulations can change; verify current rules with BPOM and your nearest Indonesian embassy before departure.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to Indonesia with atomoxetine

Atomoxetine is prescription-only (obat keras) in Indonesia. You must carry a doctor's letter on official clinic letterhead and an original prescription[3] in your name. Documents in English are accepted by Indonesian customs[4]; translation to Bahasa Indonesia is only needed if your documents are in a third language. No notarisation or embassy stamp is required for personal-use quantities.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

  1. T-30 days

    Book a prescriber appointment to renew your prescription and request a doctor's letter covering your entire trip duration. Ask for the letter to be on official clinic letterhead.Prescriber letter

  2. T-14 days

    Confirm with BPOM (Indonesia's drug regulator) or your nearest Indonesian embassy that your supply quantity and documentation are current. No formal import permit is required for atomoxetine, but confirming requirements reduces border risk.BPOM confirmation

    BPOM website: https://www.pom.go.id, allow 3–5 working days for any email inquiry response.

  3. T-7 days

    If your doctor's letter or prescription is in a language other than English or Bahasa Indonesia, commission a certified translation. Check that your name matches your passport exactly on all documents.Translated letter

  4. T-1 day

    Print all documents, do not rely on phone-only copies at the border. Pack medication in its original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label visible. Separate a backup supply into a different bag.

  5. T-0 (border)

    Declare your medication on the customs arrival card. Present your doctor's letter and prescription together if asked. Atomoxetine is not a controlled substance, so declaration is precautionary rather than mandatory, but it prevents any question of concealment.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full legal name (matching passport exactly), medication name (INN: atomoxetine; brand: Strattera or Xenocy), dose and frequency, quantity carried, condition name, doctor's signature and registration number, clinic name and letterhead. English is accepted; a Bahasa Indonesia translation is only needed if the source language is a third language.

Indonesian authorities have confirmed that no notarisation or Indonesian embassy legalisation is required[3] for personal-use medication. Documents in English or Bahasa Indonesia are accepted as-is by Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai).

How much atomoxetine to bring

BPOM guidelines permit travellers to bring up to a 90-day personal supply of a non-controlled prescription medication[5] when accompanied by a valid prescription. Bring 10–20% more than your calculated dose to cover delays, lost capsules, or an extended stay. Refilling in-country requires a new prescription from an Indonesian-registered doctor, so carrying your full supply is the more reliable option for trips up to three months.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup quantity in checked luggage. If one bag is delayed or lost, you retain access to medication. Keep both portions in original pharmacy packaging with labels visible.

Packing and storing atomoxetine for travel

Atomoxetine should be stored at 15–30°C and kept in a cool, dry place[6]. Cargo holds can reach temperatures well above 30°C, so carry all capsules in your hand luggage throughout the flight. During layovers, keep the medication in an insulated pouch away from direct sunlight.

Indonesia's tropical climate averages 28–32°C on the coast and can exceed 35°C in Jakarta. Store capsules in an air-conditioned room at your accommodation and avoid leaving them in a bag exposed to direct sun or a parked vehicle.

At the airport and border

Airport security with atomoxetine

Atomoxetine capsules pass through standard X-ray screening without issue. Keep them in the original pharmacy container so security staff can read the label. You are not required to declare capsules proactively at most departure airports, but having your doctor's letter accessible avoids delays if your bag is flagged for inspection. Place the medication in an accessible pocket of your carry-on rather than buried at the bottom of a bag.

Customs and medication import rules for Indonesia

Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai) officials have final authority over all medications at the point of entry[7]. Atomoxetine is not a controlled substance under Indonesian law, so no advance import permit from BPOM is required for personal quantities. The personal-supply limit for non-controlled prescription medications is 90 days[5] when supported by a valid prescription. Quantities that appear excessive for personal use can be confiscated, so carry only what is documented.

Keep original packaging at the border

Indonesian Customs can and do inspect medication. Original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label, your doctor's letter, and your prescription together constitute a complete documentation set. Keep all three in the same accessible pocket of your carry-on. If questioned, present calmly, atomoxetine is a lawful prescription medication in Indonesia.

While in country

Atomoxetine availability in Indonesia

Brands of atomoxetine sold in Indonesia

Brand nameIndicationFormulationSupply note
Xenocy
ADHD
Capsule (10 mg); other strengths, verify locally
Available at larger pharmacy chains (e.g. Kimia Farma) with local prescription; not reliably stocked at all standalone apoteks

Atomoxetine is registered in Indonesia under the brand name Xenocy and may be available at larger pharmacy chains such as Kimia Farma[8] with a valid Indonesian prescription. Standalone community pharmacies (apotek) are less likely to stock it. A prescription from a doctor registered in Indonesia is required, foreign prescriptions cannot be honoured by Indonesian pharmacists under national law. For details on navigating ADHD medication access more broadly, see Nomedic's Indonesia ADHD travel guide.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe atomoxetine in Indonesia

A psychiatrist (psikiater) or paediatrician with a valid Indonesian practice licence (SIP) can prescribe atomoxetine. English-speaking psychiatrists are available at private hospitals[9] including Siloam Hospitals, Pondok Indah Hospital, and Bali's Unicare Clinic, which specifically serves expatriates and digital nomads. Bring your home doctor's letter and medical history to the consultation, this greatly speeds the prescribing process.

Private consultation fees for a psychiatrist in Jakarta or Bali are approximately IDR 300,000–600,000 (~$18–$37 / ~€17–€34) per visit, though this varies by clinic.

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Storing atomoxetine while in Indonesia

Per the FDA prescribing information, atomoxetine should be stored at 25°C with excursions permitted to 15–30°C[6]. Indonesia's coastal temperatures regularly sit at 28–32°C and can spike to 35–36°C in Jakarta during the day, with humidity between 70% and 90%. Store capsules in an air-conditioned room and never leave them in a bag in direct sunlight or a parked vehicle. If there is a power outage at your accommodation, move capsules to the coolest enclosed space available and avoid prolonged exposure above 30°C.

Emergencies

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

If your medication is lost, stolen, or damaged, report it to local police immediately to obtain a police report, this document supports an insurance claim and assists a local doctor in issuing a replacement prescription. Contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line next, as some policies cover medication replacement costs.

If you run out unexpectedly, attend the psychiatry department at a major private hospital. Bring all existing documentation (home prescription, doctor's letter, your IPS). Because atomoxetine is not a controlled substance in Indonesia, the prescribing pathway is simpler than for psychotropic stimulants. Xenocy may then be dispensed at the hospital pharmacy or a larger chain pharmacy with the Indonesian prescription.

“bahasa-key-phrases”

Indonesia's national emergency number is 112. For a medical emergency specifically, dial 119 to reach emergency ambulance services. Private hospital emergency departments in Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya operate 24 hours and typically have English-speaking staff.

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Frequently asked questions

Is atomoxetine legal in Indonesia?

Yes, atomoxetine is legal in Indonesia, but it is a prescription-only medicine (obat keras) and travellers must carry a valid prescription and a doctor's letter on official letterhead. Under BPOM personal-import guidelines, you may bring in up to a 90-day supply, and the medication is also available locally as Xenocy at larger pharmacy chains such as Kimia Farma.

Can I bring atomoxetine into Indonesia without a permit?

Yes. Atomoxetine is not scheduled under Indonesian narcotics or psychotropics law, so no advance import permit from BPOM is required. You need a valid prescription and a doctor's letter on official letterhead; documents in English are accepted. The personal-supply limit for non-controlled prescription medications is 90 days.

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

A doctor's letter is not legally mandatory for atomoxetine, which is not a controlled substance in Indonesia, but it is strongly advisable. It confirms to Indonesian Customs that you are carrying a lawful personal supply and prevents questions about undeclared prescription medication. The letter should include your full name, the INN (atomoxetine), dose, quantity, and your doctor's registration number.

How should I store atomoxetine during Indonesia's tropical heat?

Atomoxetine capsules should be kept at 15–30°C. Indonesia's coastal temperatures average 28–32°C and regularly exceed this range in the afternoon, particularly in Jakarta and inland areas. Store your capsules in your accommodation's air-conditioned room, away from windows and direct sunlight, and never leave them in a bag in a parked vehicle or exposed outdoor bag.

What if I run out of atomoxetine while in Bali or Jakarta?

Visit the psychiatry outpatient clinic at a private hospital, Siloam Hospitals and Pondok Indah (Jakarta) or Bali's Unicare Clinic are used to assessing expatriate patients. Bring your home prescription and doctor's letter to support the consultation. Once an Indonesian psychiatrist issues a local prescription, take it to a large-chain pharmacy such as Kimia Farma and ask for Xenocy.

Is Xenocy (atomoxetine) available at Indonesian pharmacies?

Xenocy, the Indonesian brand of atomoxetine, is registered with BPOM and available at larger pharmacy chains such as Kimia Farma with a valid prescription issued by an Indonesian-registered doctor. Foreign prescriptions cannot be dispensed at Indonesian pharmacies under national law, so you will need a local consultation to obtain one in-country.

Is Strattera available in Indonesian pharmacies?

Strattera, the brand name used in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain, and the United States, is not the name sold in Indonesia. The local equivalent is Xenocy, which contains the same active ingredient, atomoxetine. If you search for Strattera specifically at an Indonesian pharmacy, ask for Xenocy or use the INN atomoxetine (atomoxetin in Bahasa Indonesia).

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.

Read the practical guide →

Sources

  1. [1] UNODC — Drug Laws: Indonesia (Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics)
  2. [2] Nomedic — Travelling to Indonesia with ADHD: Medications and Care
  3. [3] Bali Doc — Bringing Prescription Medications to Bali: Indonesia Customs and BPOM Guidelines
  4. [4] Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Importation of Medicines (Helsinki Embassy)
  5. [5] BPOM (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan) — Indonesian Food and Drug Authority
  6. [6] DailyMed (US NLM) — Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) Prescribing Information
  7. [7] Indonesian Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai)
  8. [8] MIMS Indonesia — Xenocy (atomoxetine) drug information
  9. [9] Unicare Clinic Bali — ADHD Medication in Bali: How to Access Ritalin and Concerta Legally

More guides in Indonesia

Atomoxetine in other countries

Country guide