Vyvanse in Japan: Children Approval and NCD

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Classified as a Stimulants' Raw Material under Japan's Stimulants Control Act. Advance permission from the Narcotics Control Department (NCD) required before import.
Prescription required: Yes. In Japan, only certified psychiatrists at registered facilities may prescribe Vyvanse, and only to patients under 18.
Available locally: Vyvanse (ビバンセ) is sold in Japan but restricted to children under 18. Adult travellers cannot obtain a local prescription. Government-registered pharmacies stock it per individual prescription. Sibling active-ingredient brand Elvanse is not separately available in Japan.
Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and direct light. Keep in original packaging for customs inspection.
Max supply to carry: Domestic Japanese prescriptions are capped at 30 days per dispensing under MHLW rules. Bring your full trip supply from home; do not rely on local refills as an adult.
Key document: NCD advance import permission (applied via the Narcotics Control Department at least 14 days before arrival). Doctor's letter must name both 'Vyvanse' and 'lisdexamfetamine dimesylate' plus dose and quantity.
Emergency alternative: If Vyvanse is unavailable or your supply is lost, discuss non-stimulant options (atomoxetine/Strattera, guanfacine/Intuniv) with a local certified psychiatrist, any switch requires medical supervision.

Where to find Vyvanse in Japan

Hospital-affiliated registered pharmacies (byoin-nai yakkyoku)
Vyvanse is dispensed only at government-registered pharmacies linked to certified psychiatrists; stock is ordered per prescription and not held on shelf. Adult travellers cannot obtain a prescription.
¥3,000–¥5,000 per month (~$20–$33 / ~€18–€30) under NHI for enrolled residents; uninsured travellers pay full cost, which may be higher.
Limited
Major urban psychiatric clinic pharmacies (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya)
Certified child psychiatry clinics in major cities are the primary dispensing points. No over-the-counter stock exists at general pharmacy chains.
Limited
General retail pharmacy chains (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, Tsuruha)
Standard retail pharmacy chains do not dispense Vyvanse. Do not attempt to source it through non-registered pharmacies.
Unknown

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Vyvanse in Japan: what adult travellers must know before they fly

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine, sold in Japan as ビバンセ) is approved in Japan for children under 18 only, adult patients cannot receive a local prescription under any circumstances. under Japan's Stimulants Control Act, placing it in a stricter import category than its sibling active-ingredient brand Elvanse (the European-market name), which is also recognised by Japanese authorities under the same classification.^[1]^[2]

This guide explains what makes Vyvanse different from sibling ADHD medications in Japan, how to bring your supply legally, and what to do if your medication is lost or damaged during your trip.

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 Japan with Vyvanse

Bringing Vyvanse into Japan requires advance permission from Japan's Narcotics Control Department (NCD), applied at least 14 days before arrival, this is a stricter requirement than the Yunyu Kakunin-sho certificate needed for methylphenidate. See our ADHD guide for Japan for the full NCD application timeline and document checklist.^[2]

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

The letter must state both the brand name 'Vyvanse' and the international generic name 'lisdexamfetamine dimesylate', along with the dose strength and total quantity being carried. Japanese customs officers may search 'Vyvanse' or 'ビバンセ' in their system, so listing both the brand and the INN ensures recognition at the border.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Raise these before your departure to avoid gaps in care while in Japan.

If Vyvanse is unavailable or my supply runs out in Japan, which non-stimulant alternatives (such as atomoxetine or guanfacine, both approved in Japan) should I ask a local psychiatrist about?
Can you word the doctor's letter to include both 'Vyvanse' and 'lisdexamfetamine dimesylate', your registration or licence number, and the exact quantity I am carrying?
How much of a buffer supply should I bring, given that Japanese pharmacies cannot dispense Vyvanse to adult travellers?
If my trip extends beyond the planned dates, what is the process for obtaining additional documentation or an emergency supply from my home prescriber?
What is the best way to reach you or your practice from Japan in a time-zone difference of several hours, in case I need clinical advice urgently?

How much Vyvanse to bring

Bring your entire trip supply from home. Adult travellers cannot obtain Vyvanse at a Japanese pharmacy under any circumstances, as local dispensing is restricted to patients under 18. Add a buffer of several days beyond your planned return date to account for travel delays. Keep the full supply in your carry-on luggage alongside your NCD permission certificate.^[3]

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Vyvanse in Japan

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse) is listed by the NCD explicitly under Stimulants' Raw Materials, which means the import permission process differs from the Yunyu Kakunin-sho used for psychotropics such as methylphenidate. , mailing it to Japan or entrusting it to another person is prohibited. Present your NCD permission certificate to customs on arrival and keep original packaging intact. Submit an export application to the NCD if you plan to leave Japan with any remaining supply.^[2]^[4]

While in country

Vyvanse availability in Japan

Vyvanse vs sibling ADHD medications in Japan

Brand	Indication in Japan	Formulation	Availability in Japan
Vyvanse (ビバンセ)	ADHD, children under 18 only	Capsule (lisdexamfetamine)	Sold in Japan at registered pharmacies; adults cannot obtain a prescription locally
Elvanse	ADHD (European brand name for lisdexamfetamine)	Capsule (lisdexamfetamine)	Not separately registered in Japan; recognised by NCD as equivalent to Vyvanse for import purposes only
Concerta (コンサータ)	ADHD, children and adults	Extended-release tablet (methylphenidate)	Approved for adults; facing significant supply issues as of mid-2026; dispensed at registered pharmacies only
Strattera (ストラテラ)	ADHD, children and adults	Capsule (atomoxetine)	Approved for adults; prescription-only, not a controlled substance under the Stimulants Control Act; supply issues reported mid-2026
Intuniv (インチュニブ)	ADHD, children and adults	Extended-release tablet (guanfacine)	Approved for adults; prescription-only, not a controlled substance; generally available via certified psychiatrists

Vyvanse (ビバンセ) was launched in Japan in December 2019 by Shionogi and Takeda Pharmaceutical under a 30-day prescription limit per MHLW restriction. Its critical difference from Concerta (methylphenidate) in Japan is the age restriction: Vyvanse is approved for children under 18 only, while Concerta can be prescribed to adults. An adult traveller who takes Vyvanse at home will find no prescriber in Japan who can legally continue that specific medication.^[3]^[5]

Pharmacies that dispense Vyvanse must be registered with both the Japanese government and the manufacturer. Stock is typically ordered per individual prescription rather than held on the shelf, so even paediatric patients may wait for their supply. Adult travellers should treat local refills as impossible and plan accordingly.^[6]

Enrolled residents under the National Health Insurance (NHI) system pay approximately ¥3,000 or more per month for ADHD stimulant medication (~$20 / ~€18). Short-stay travellers are not enrolled in NHI and pay the full unsubsidised cost. Private psychiatric consultations at English-speaking clinics in Tokyo run approximately ¥14,500–¥19,000 (~$97–$127 / ~€88–€115) per session.^[7]

Pharmacy phrases for Japan

“ビバンセはありますか？”

Do you have Vyvanse (Vivanse)?

“大人なのでビバンセの処方ができないことは分かっています。アトモキセチン（ストラテラ）またはグアンファシン（インチュニブ）について、精神科医に相談できますか？”

I understand Vyvanse cannot be prescribed to adults here. Can I consult a psychiatrist about atomoxetine (Strattera) or guanfacine (Intuniv)?

“リスデキサンフェタミン（ビバンセ）の輸入許可証を持っています。これを確認していただけますか？”

I have an import permission certificate for lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Could you please check this?

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Switching to a different brand or alternative in Japan

Vyvanse and Elvanse share the same active ingredient (lisdexamfetamine), so an adult who takes Vyvanse at home will not find a locally prescribable equivalent in Japan. The practical alternatives for adult ADHD care in Japan are atomoxetine (Strattera) and guanfacine (Intuniv), both of which are prescription-only but not controlled under the Stimulants Control Act.

Any transition to an alternative medication requires assessment by a certified local psychiatrist. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted at Japanese pharmacies, so this is not a decision you can make at the pharmacy counter. See our Japan travel guide for how to locate a certified psychiatrist in Tokyo and other major cities.

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in Japan

If your supply is lost or damaged, contact your prescriber at home immediately to obtain replacement documentation. You cannot replace Vyvanse at a Japanese pharmacy as an adult, no licensed prescriber in Japan can issue a new prescription for lisdexamfetamine to an adult patient. Report lost medication to the local police (110) if theft is suspected, and obtain a police report for your travel insurance claim. Seek a private psychiatrist consultation (ambulance/fire: 119; Tokyo English-language line: 03-5285-8181) to discuss whether a non-stimulant alternative can bridge the gap until you return home.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in Japan?

Vyvanse is permitted in Japan only with advance import permission from the Narcotics Control Department (NCD), which must be obtained at least 14 days before arrival. It is classified as a Stimulants' Raw Material under Japan's Stimulants Control Act, so travelling without the NCD permit is not allowed, regardless of a valid home-country prescription.

Is Vyvanse available in Japan for adult travellers?

Vyvanse (ビバンセ) is sold in Japan but is approved only for children under 18. Adult travellers cannot receive a local prescription for lisdexamfetamine under any circumstances. You must bring your full supply from home with advance permission from Japan's Narcotics Control Department (NCD), applied at least 14 days before arrival.

Do I need a special permit to bring Vyvanse into Japan?

Yes. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse) is classified as a Stimulants' Raw Material under Japan's Stimulants Control Act, which requires advance permission from the Narcotics Control Department (NCD) before you enter the country. This is a stricter requirement than the Yunyu Kakunin-sho import certificate required for psychotropics such as methylphenidate. Apply to the NCD office covering your arrival airport at least 14 days before you fly.

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Concerta for adults in Japan?

Concerta (methylphenidate) is approved in Japan for both children and adults with ADHD, while Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is restricted to children under 18. An adult who is prescribed Vyvanse at home will find no prescriber in Japan who can continue that medication. Concerta is a separate active ingredient with a different regulatory classification (psychotropic, not Stimulants' Raw Material), which also means different import documentation requirements.

Can I switch from Vyvanse to Elvanse in Japan if needed?

Elvanse is not separately registered or sold in Japan. Japanese authorities recognise Elvanse as carrying the same active ingredient as Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) for import-permission purposes, but you cannot obtain either brand by local prescription as an adult. If your Vyvanse supply runs out, your options are limited to non-stimulant alternatives (atomoxetine, guanfacine) under the supervision of a certified local psychiatrist.

How much does a psychiatric consultation cost in Japan if I need ADHD support as a traveller?

Short-stay travellers are not enrolled in Japan's National Health Insurance system and pay full private rates. English-speaking psychiatric clinics in Tokyo typically charge ¥14,500–¥19,000 (~$97–$127 / ~€88–€115) per consultation. Note that even a private psychiatrist cannot prescribe Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) to an adult patient, this limit is set by MHLW approval, not by the clinic's policies.

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.

Vyvanse in Japan: Stimulants Control Act, Children-Only Approval and NCD Permits