Lisdexamfetamine in Indonesia: Legal Risk, Import Rules and Alternatives

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse) is not registered in Indonesia and carries serious legal uncertainty at customs. Read this before you travel.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Unregistered in Indonesia. Lisdexamfetamine is not listed as a named narcotic under Law No. 35 of 2009, but it metabolises into dexamphetamine, which is a Category I narcotic. Legal status at the border is unresolved and Indonesian Customs has final discretion.
Prescription required: Yes, no Indonesian marketing authorisation exists. Import requires a doctor's letter and original prescription at minimum.
Available locally: No. Lisdexamfetamine has no registered brand in Indonesia. Methylphenidate (Prohiper, Ritalin) is the locally available stimulant alternative, requiring an Indonesian prescription.
Storage: Room temperature 15–30°C (59–86°F), protect from light. Indonesia's tropical heat regularly exceeds this upper limit outdoors.
Max supply to carry: No explicit Indonesian government limit for lisdexamfetamine (unregistered), but Indonesian Customs limits personal import of psychotropic controlled substances to a 30-day supply as general practice. Carry only what you need for your trip.
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead (in English and Bahasa Indonesia), original prescription in your name, completed BPOM Formulir Pemasukan Obat untuk Penggunaan Pribadi, Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) filed before arrival.
Emergency alternative: If lisdexamfetamine is confiscated or unavailable, see a local psychiatrist (psikiater) in Jakarta, Bali, or Surabaya to discuss whether methylphenidate under a local prescription is a suitable bridge for your trip.

Lisdexamfetamine in Indonesia: what you need to know before you fly

Lisdexamfetamine, sold globally as Vyvanse (in the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico) and as Elvanse (in the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy), is not registered as a prescription drug in Indonesia^[1]. This creates a serious grey area at the border: the prodrug lisdexamfetamine itself does not appear by name in Indonesia's Category I narcotic list, but it metabolises into dexamphetamine, which is a Category I narcotic under Indonesian Law No. 35 of 2009. Indonesian Customs holds final authority to determine whether your medication may enter the country.

This guide covers the legal risk of bringing lisdexamfetamine into Indonesia, the documentation you should carry, what to do if your supply is seized, and how to access local alternatives.

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. The legal status of lisdexamfetamine in Indonesia is unresolved; consult the Indonesian embassy or BPOM before you travel.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to Indonesia with lisdexamfetamine

The Indonesian Embassy requires travellers bringing any prescription medication to carry a doctor's letter stating the drug substance, dosage, and prescription^[2], with the name matching both passport and boarding pass, and medication in original packaging. Because lisdexamfetamine is unregistered in Indonesia, you should also complete BPOM's Formulir Pemasukan Obat untuk Penggunaan Pribadi^[3] and file an Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) at ecd.beacukai.go.id within two days before arrival. Given the uncertain legal status of this medication, contacting the Indonesian embassy in your country before departure is strongly recommended.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to obtain a formal letter on clinic letterhead. Ask specifically for Bahasa Indonesia translation or have the letter prepared bilingually. Contact the Indonesian embassy to confirm current import status for lisdexamfetamine.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Download and complete BPOM's Formulir Pemasukan Obat untuk Penggunaan Pribadi from the BPOM website (pom.go.id). Submit the form and supporting documents to BPOM if advance approval is sought under the Special Access Scheme for unregistered medications.BPOM Formulir Pemasukan Obat
BPOM's Special Access Scheme review timelines vary; allow at least 14 days. Check pom.go.id for current procedure.
T-7 days
Confirm your doctor's letter includes: full name (matching passport), INN (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), brand name, dose, frequency, quantity carried, prescriber registration number, and clinic stamp. Have a certified Bahasa Indonesia translation prepared.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents, doctor's letter, prescription, BPOM form, and embassy correspondence. Pack medication in original pharmacy-labelled packaging in your carry-on. File the Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) at ecd.beacukai.go.id and select the prescription medication declaration option.
T-0 (border)
Proceed to the customs declaration lane on arrival. Present your ECD QR code, doctor's letter, BPOM form, and medication together. Do not wait to be asked, proactive declaration reduces the risk of a protracted customs inspection.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name (exactly as in your passport), INN (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) and brand name (Vyvanse or Elvanse), dose and frequency, quantity carried, diagnosis (one word is sufficient), doctor's signature and professional registration number, and clinic letterhead with contact details. Have the letter translated into Bahasa Indonesia by a certified translator, Indonesian Customs officers may not accept an English-only document.

The Indonesian Embassy has confirmed that documents do not need legalisation or apostille from the embassy itself. A certified Bahasa Indonesia translation is advisable given that lisdexamfetamine is not a registered product in Indonesia and customs officers may not recognise the brand name.

How much lisdexamfetamine to bring

Indonesian customs guidance sets a 30-day personal supply limit for controlled psychotropic medications^[4]. That limit does not guarantee entry, though: because lisdexamfetamine metabolises into dexamphetamine, a Category I narcotic, customs may refuse or seize it regardless of quantity, so the safest course is not to bring it at all. If, after consulting the Indonesian embassy, you still travel with it, carry only what you need for your trip, as a larger quantity could be interpreted by customs as evidence of distribution intent. Do not plan to rely on a local refill; no Indonesian pharmacy stocks lisdexamfetamine.

If your trip exceeds 30 days, discuss with your doctor whether a dose holiday or switch to methylphenidate under an Indonesian prescription is medically appropriate for the remainder of your stay.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a small backup in checked luggage if your trip length warrants it. Keep both portions in original pharmacy-labelled packaging. If checked luggage is lost or delayed, you will still have your primary supply accessible.

Packing and storing lisdexamfetamine for travel

The FDA prescribing information states that lisdexamfetamine should be stored at 25°C (77°F), with excursions permitted to 15–30°C (59–86°F)^[5], protected from light. Indonesia's tropical climate regularly exceeds 30°C outdoors, so keep the medication in your carry-on bag inside air-conditioned cabins and avoid leaving it in a hot car or direct sunlight.

Lisdexamfetamine does not require refrigeration, so no cooling wallet is needed during transit. Store it in your hotel room's air-conditioned environment away from the window, and in a lockable drawer or safe to comply with the security storage requirements that apply to CNS stimulants.

At the airport and border

Airport security with lisdexamfetamine

At departure, airport security screening focuses on prohibited items rather than prescription medication status. Keep lisdexamfetamine in your carry-on bag in its original, labelled packaging. If a security officer asks about the capsules, present your doctor's letter immediately.

Lisdexamfetamine capsules are solid-dose and are not subject to the 100 ml liquid restriction. The main document to have accessible at security is your doctor's letter and prescription, not a specific security exemption certificate.

Customs and medication import rules for Indonesia

Indonesia's narcotics framework is governed by Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics^[6]. Dexamphetamine (the active metabolite of lisdexamfetamine) is a Category I narcotic under this law. You must declare prescription medication on your Electronic Customs Declaration before arrival. Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai) has final authority to determine whether a medication may enter the country^[3], regardless of what documentation you carry.

File the ECD at ecd.beacukai.go.id within two days before your arrival and select the prescription medication option. At the customs desk, present your ECD QR code, doctor's letter, BPOM personal import form, and the medication together.

Critical legal warning: unregistered status and Category I metabolite

Lisdexamfetamine is not registered in Indonesia and metabolises into dexamphetamine, a Category I narcotic under Indonesian Law No. 35 of 2009. Amphetamine and dexamphetamine carry a mandatory minimum sentence of four years for possession and five years for import. Indonesian Customs has discretion to treat lisdexamfetamine as equivalent to its metabolite. Do not travel to Indonesia with lisdexamfetamine without first contacting the Indonesian embassy in your country and BPOM to confirm current enforcement policy. If your medication is confiscated at the border, do not resist and immediately contact your country's embassy in Jakarta.

While in country

Lisdexamfetamine availability in Indonesia

Brands of lisdexamfetamine sold in Indonesia

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
None available	Lisdexamfetamine has no registered brand in Indonesia	N/A	Not stocked in any Indonesian pharmacy. Vyvanse and Elvanse are not registered with BPOM.

No Indonesian pharmacy stocks lisdexamfetamine. Vyvanse is not licensed as a prescription drug in Indonesia^[1]. The only stimulant for ADHD available locally is methylphenidate, sold under brands including Prohiper and Ritalin, which requires an Indonesian prescription from a registered psychiatrist (psikiater). For a full guide to navigating ADHD care in Indonesia (including how to find a psikiater and switch medications) see our ADHD in Indonesia travel guide.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe a local alternative in Indonesia

Because lisdexamfetamine cannot be obtained locally, your only in-country option is a local psychiatrist (psikiater) who can assess whether methylphenidate is appropriate as a short-term bridge. Methylphenidate is a controlled substance in Indonesia and requires a local prescription.

Private psychiatry consultations in Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), and Surabaya range from Rp300,000 to Rp700,000 (~$18–$43 / ~€17–€40). English-speaking psychiatrists are available at private hospitals such as RSPI (RS Pondok Indah) in Jakarta and BIMC Hospital in Bali. Telemedicine platforms operating in Indonesia include Halodoc and Alodokter, though both require prescriptions to be fulfilled at Indonesian pharmacies.

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Storing lisdexamfetamine while in Indonesia

Per FDA prescribing information, lisdexamfetamine should be stored at room temperature with excursions permitted to a maximum of 30°C (86°F)^[5] and protected from light. Indonesia's daytime temperatures regularly reach 33–36°C outdoors, so always store the medication in an air-conditioned room.

In the event of a power outage (which can occur in Indonesian guesthouses) move the medication to the coolest indoor location available and keep it away from direct sunlight. Do not store lisdexamfetamine in a beach bag, car glove compartment, or any unshaded outdoor space.

Emergencies

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

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report (Laporan Kehilangan) at the nearest police station immediately, you will need this document for travel insurance claims. Contact your country's embassy in Jakarta, as they can assist with urgent medication-related legal situations.

If your supply runs out, you cannot obtain a local refill of lisdexamfetamine. Methylphenidate is available in Indonesia with a prescription from a locally registered doctor^[7]. See a private psychiatrist at a hospital such as RSPI Jakarta (telephone: +62 21 765 7525) or BIMC Bali (telephone: +62 361 761 263) to discuss whether methylphenidate is a clinically appropriate bridge for the rest of your trip.

“indonesia-lisdex-phrases”

Indonesia's ambulance number is 118; the universal GSM emergency number is 112. For non-life-threatening medical situations, private hospital emergency departments in Jakarta and Bali are staffed around the clock and have English-speaking doctors.

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Frequently asked questions

Is lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) legal to bring into Indonesia?

Lisdexamfetamine is not registered as a prescription drug in Indonesia^[1], and its active metabolite dexamphetamine is classified as a Category I narcotic under Indonesian Law No. 35 of 2009^[6]. Indonesian Customs holds discretion to treat lisdexamfetamine as equivalent to its metabolite. Contact the Indonesian embassy and BPOM before travelling, carry full documentation, and be prepared for the possibility that your medication may be refused entry.

Can I buy Vyvanse or Elvanse at an Indonesian pharmacy?

No. Vyvanse and Elvanse (the two main global brand names for lisdexamfetamine) are not registered with BPOM and are not stocked in any Indonesian pharmacy (apotek). The only stimulant available locally is methylphenidate, sold as Prohiper or Ritalin, which requires a prescription from a doctor registered in Indonesia.

What documents do I need to fly to Indonesia with lisdexamfetamine?

At minimum, carry a doctor's letter explaining the drug substance, dosage, and prescription^[2] with your name matching your passport and boarding pass, the original prescription, medication in original packaging, and a completed BPOM Formulir Pemasukan Obat untuk Penggunaan Pribadi. File the Electronic Customs Declaration at ecd.beacukai.go.id within two days before arrival.

What happens if my Vyvanse is confiscated at Indonesian customs?

If your medication is seized, do not resist and remain calm. Contact your country's embassy in Jakarta immediately, they can provide consular assistance and connect you with legal representation. File a police report for travel insurance purposes and consult a private psychiatrist in Indonesia about whether methylphenidate is a medically appropriate substitute for the remainder of your stay.

Is Elvanse available in Indonesia, or only Vyvanse?

Neither Elvanse (the brand name used in the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy) nor Vyvanse (the brand name used in the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico) is registered or available in Indonesia. Both are the same active ingredient (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) and neither is stocked in Indonesian pharmacies.

What ADHD medication can I get in Indonesia if I run out of lisdexamfetamine?

Methylphenidate (sold as Prohiper and Ritalin) is available in Indonesia with a prescription from a locally registered doctor^[7]. You will need to see a private psychiatrist (psikiater) to obtain a local prescription; this cannot be done at a pharmacy directly. Consultation costs range from approximately Rp300,000 to Rp700,000 (~$18–$43 / ~€17–€40) at private hospitals in Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya.

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.