Benzodiazepines in Mexico: Controls, Brands and Import Rules

All benzodiazepines are controlled substances in Mexico under the General Health Law. Know what documents to bring on top of a 30-day personal supply.

Quick reference

Drug class: Benzodiazepines. All members are controlled psychotropics under Mexican federal law
Controlled substance: Yes. All eight active ingredients are controlled under Mexico's General Health Law (Ley General de Salud), classified as Group IV psychotropics under the COFEPRIS framework.
Prescription required: Yes. A valid Mexican or foreign prescription is required. Foreign prescriptions are accepted at entry but cannot be used for in-country refills. A local prescription from a licensed Mexican physician is required for any new dispensing.
Available locally: Alprazolam: yes (Tafil, generic). Diazepam: yes (Valium, generic). Clonazepam: yes (Rivotril, generic). Lorazepam: yes (generic; Ativan brand less common). Temazepam: limited availability. Midazolam: hospital/clinical use only, not retail. Oxazepam: very limited. Triazolam: limited availability. Verify in advance.
Storage: Store at room temperature, below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Mexico's summer heat regularly exceeds 35°C. Keep medication in a cool bag or air-conditioned accommodation.
Max supply to carry: 30-day personal supply maximum for controlled psychotropics entering Mexico. No import permit is required for quantities within this limit when accompanied by a valid prescription and doctor's letter.
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating full name, medication INN and brand, dose, frequency, quantity, diagnosis (condition name only), doctor's signature and professional licence number (Cédula Profesional).
Emergency alternative: If your specific benzodiazepine is unavailable, consult a licensed Mexican physician. Substitution within the class requires a local assessment and a new Mexican prescription.

Benzodiazepine options in Mexico

Active ingredient	Available locally?	Local brand(s)	Controlled status	Prescription required?	Max supply
Alprazolam	Yes	Tafil, generics	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes	30 days
Diazepam	Yes	Valium, generics	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes	30 days
Clonazepam	Yes	Rivotril, generics	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes	30 days
Lorazepam	Yes	Generics (Ativan uncommon)	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes	30 days
Temazepam	Limited	Verify locally	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes	30 days
Midazolam	Hospital/clinical only	Not available retail	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes (specialist)	30 days
Oxazepam	Very limited	Verify locally	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes	30 days
Triazolam	Limited	Verify locally	Group IV psychotropic (COFEPRIS)	Yes	30 days

Taking benzodiazepines to Mexico: what changes

Mexico classifies all benzodiazepines: including alprazolam (Xanax, Tafil), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), midazolam (Versed), oxazepam (Serax), and triazolam (Halcion), as Group IV psychotropics under the General Health Law^[1]. Every member of this class requires a prescription and is subject to the same 30-day personal import limit.

Local availability varies considerably across the class. Alprazolam, diazepam, and clonazepam are widely stocked at major pharmacy chains. Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam have limited retail presence, making it essential to carry your full supply. Midazolam is dispensed only in hospital and clinical settings.

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 Mexico with benzodiazepines

Because all benzodiazepines are controlled psychotropics in Mexico, COFEPRIS requires a valid prescription and a doctor's letter^[2] for any quantity you carry across the border. The letter must be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified translation. No advance import permit is required for personal quantities up to 30 days.

What your doctor's letter must include

Full name of the patient. Medication name (INN and brand name). Dose and frequency. Quantity carried. Condition name (one word or short phrase only). Doctor's full name, signature, and Cédula Profesional (professional licence number). Clinic letterhead with contact details. If you carry more than one benzodiazepine, list each one separately in the same letter.

A certified Spanish translation is strongly recommended even if your letter is originally in Spanish, as border officers may require it to be clearly legible. Keep a scanned digital copy accessible on your phone as a backup.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment at least two weeks before departure.

Can you provide a doctor's letter in Spanish, or arrange a certified translation, listing each benzodiazepine I take by INN and brand name?
If my specific benzodiazepine is unavailable in Mexico, is there another medication within the class that you would consider appropriate for me, and can you document your recommendation for a local physician?
What is the safest approach to managing a missed or delayed dose if I cannot obtain a refill in Mexico?
Can you write a prescription for a 30-day supply plus a reasonable buffer in case of travel delays, and confirm this is within the permitted import quantity?
If I need to see a doctor in Mexico, what clinical information should I share about my current regimen to help them prescribe safely?
How should I contact you or your clinic in an emergency from Mexico if I need urgent guidance about my medication?

How much benzodiazepine to bring

Mexico's personal import limit for controlled psychotropics is a maximum of 30 days' supply^[2]. Carry exactly what your letter documents: no more. If your trip is longer than 30 days, consult your prescriber about whether a local Mexican physician can issue a continuation prescription, bearing in mind that Mexican pharmacies cannot refill a foreign prescription directly.

For temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam, retail availability in Mexico is limited. Carry your complete supply for the trip and do not rely on finding these locally.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. Keep both in original packaging with pharmacy labels intact. If one bag is delayed or lost, you retain access to at least a partial supply.

Packing and storing benzodiazepines for travel

All oral benzodiazepines are stable at room temperature and do not require refrigeration. Standard storage is below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Mexico's Pacific and Gulf coasts reach 38°C or above in summer, and interior cities such as Monterrey regularly exceed 40°C.

Keep tablets in a small insulated pouch inside your carry-on, away from the overhead locker during flight. In your accommodation, the hotel minibar or air-conditioned room safe is preferable to leaving medication on a sunny windowsill or in a hot car.

At the airport and border

Airport security with benzodiazepines

All benzodiazepines are oral tablets or capsules and pass through X-ray screening without difficulty. Keep your medication in original pharmacy packaging. Loose pills in an unmarked container can trigger secondary screening. Present your doctor's letter and prescription if asked by security staff.

National airport security agencies in your departure country set the rules for what you can carry through the checkpoint. Carry-on quantities of medication are generally exempt from liquid restrictions when the medication is in solid form. Check with the specific airport security agency for your departure country if you are unsure.

Customs and import rules for benzodiazepines in Mexico

Mexico's customs authority (Servicio de Administración Tributaria, SAT) permits travellers to import a personal supply of prescription medication without prior authorisation. For controlled psychotropics, the limit is 30 days and the medication must be accompanied by a valid prescription^[3]. Declare controlled medications on your customs form if the form requests it.

If a customs officer queries your medication, present your original prescription, doctor's letter, and pharmacy packaging with the label showing your name and the medication name. A certified Spanish translation of your documents strengthens your case significantly.

Controlled substance warning

All benzodiazepines are Group IV controlled psychotropics under Mexico's General Health Law. Carrying quantities above 30 days without documentation, or presenting medication without original pharmacy labelling, may result in confiscation and referral to federal health authorities. Do not transfer your tablets into an unmarked container before travel.

While in country

Benzodiazepine availability in Mexico

Alprazolam is widely available at major chains such as Farmacias del Ahorro, Farmacia Guadalajara, and Benavides under the brand name Tafil as well as generics. Diazepam is sold as Valium and in generic form at most pharmacies. Clonazepam is dispensed as Rivotril and generics. All three require a valid Mexican prescription at the pharmacy counter^[4]foreign prescriptions are not accepted for dispensing.

Lorazepam is available in generic form at larger pharmacy chains, though the Ativan brand is uncommon. Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam have limited retail presence and may not be stocked outside major cities. Midazolam is not dispensed at retail pharmacies and is used only in hospital and clinical settings.

Generic benzodiazepines in Mexico are substantially cheaper than branded versions. A 30-tablet pack of generic alprazolam 0.5 mg costs approximately MX$80–180 (~$4–9 / ~€3.50–8). Generic clonazepam 2 mg runs around MX$100–200 (~$5–10 / ~€4.50–9). These prices apply only with a locally-issued prescription.

Pharmacy phrases in Spanish

Use these at the pharmacy counter when asking about benzodiazepine availability or substitution options.

“Tomo una benzodiacepina recetada. ¿Tienen alprazolam, clonazepam o diazepam disponibles?”

I take a prescribed benzodiazepine. Do you have alprazolam, clonazepam, or diazepam available?

“¿Tienen una versión genérica de este medicamento?”

Do you have a generic version of this medication?

“Necesito hablar con un médico para obtener una receta local de mi benzodiacepina.”

I need to speak with a doctor to obtain a local prescription for my benzodiazepine.

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe benzodiazepines in Mexico

A licensed Mexican general practitioner (médico general) can prescribe benzodiazepines, though a psychiatrist (psiquiatra) or neurologist (neurólogo) may be required in some settings. Private clinics and hospitals in tourist areas such as Mexico City, Cancún, and Guadalajara commonly have English-speaking physicians. Expect a private consultation fee of approximately MX$500–1,200 (~$25–60 / ~€23–55).

Telemedicine platforms operating in Mexico may offer consultations with licensed physicians, but confirm that the doctor holds a valid Mexican Cédula Profesional before relying on any prescription they issue for pharmacy dispensing. See our Mexico healthcare guide for an overview of provider options.

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Storing benzodiazepines while in Mexico

Keep tablets in their original blister pack or container in a cool, dry location. Avoid leaving medication in a parked car, beach bag in direct sun, or on a windowsill in a room without air conditioning. Hotel room safes in air-conditioned rooms are a practical storage option.

Unlike insulin or some biologics, benzodiazepines do not require refrigeration and are not subject to cold-chain rules. Brief exposure to temperatures up to 30°C is unlikely to cause degradation, but sustained exposure above 25°C should be avoided.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your benzodiazepines in Mexico

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report (denuncia) at the nearest Ministerio Público office. The report documents that you held a legitimate controlled substance and may be required by your insurer. Contact your prescriber immediately for guidance on what to do while without your medication.

If you run out of your specific benzodiazepine and it is not stocked locally, do not attempt to substitute one active ingredient for another without medical supervision. See a licensed Mexican physician, explain your current regimen fully, and let them assess whether a substitute within the class is clinically appropriate for you. Alprazolam, diazepam, and clonazepam are the most accessible options if a local prescription is needed.

Key phrases in Spanish

Tomo benzodiacepinas recetadas y necesito asistencia médica. (I take prescribed benzodiazepines and need medical assistance.) / Perdí mi medicamento. (I lost my medication.) / Por favor llame a un médico. (Please call a doctor.) / ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana? (Where is the nearest pharmacy?)

The general emergency number in Mexico is 911, which connects to police, ambulance, and fire services.

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Frequently asked questions

Is benzodiazepine legal in Mexico?

Yes, benzodiazepines are legal to bring into and use in Mexico, provided you carry a valid prescription and a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead, and that your supply does not exceed the 30-day personal limit permitted for controlled psychotropics under Mexico's General Health Law.

Can I bring benzodiazepines into Mexico from abroad?

Yes, you can bring a personal supply of up to 30 days into Mexico. All benzodiazepines are Group IV controlled psychotropics, so you must carry your original prescription and a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead with your name, medication INN and brand, dose, quantity, and the prescriber's licence number. No advance import permit is required for quantities within this limit.

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

A doctor's letter is not legally required for airport security in most departure countries, but it is strongly recommended when entering Mexico with any controlled psychotropic. Customs officers may ask you to verify the legitimacy of controlled medication, and a letter on clinic letterhead with your name, medication details, and the prescriber's licence number is your clearest form of documentation.

What if I run out of benzodiazepines while in Mexico?

Visit a private clinic or hospital and present your documentation to a licensed Mexican physician. They can assess your situation and, if appropriate, issue a local prescription for your medication or a clinically suitable alternative. Foreign prescriptions cannot be used to refill controlled medications directly at a Mexican pharmacy. Call 911 if you experience a medical emergency.

Which benzodiazepines are available in Mexican pharmacies?

Alprazolam (as Tafil and generics), diazepam (as Valium and generics), clonazepam (as Rivotril and generics), and lorazepam (generics) are the most reliably stocked. Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam have limited availability and may not be found outside major cities. Midazolam is not available at retail pharmacies. A locally-issued Mexican prescription is required for any dispensing.

What if my specific benzodiazepine brand isn't available in Mexico?

Consult a licensed Mexican physician before making any change. Substitution within the benzodiazepine class requires a clinical assessment and a new Mexican prescription. Do not attempt to switch active ingredients without medical supervision. Bring your full supply for the trip to reduce the likelihood that you will need to source your specific medication locally.

Is Xanax (alprazolam) available in Mexico?

The Xanax brand is not commonly sold in Mexico under that name, but alprazolam is widely available at major pharmacy chains as Tafil and in generic form. A valid Mexican prescription is required. If you arrive with a foreign prescription for Xanax, you cannot use it directly at a Mexican pharmacy. You will need a local doctor to issue a Mexican prescription for alprazolam.

Is Valium (diazepam) sold over the counter in Mexico?

No. Diazepam, including the Valium brand and its generics, is a prescription-only controlled psychotropic in Mexico. Some informal pharmacy counters may dispense without checking documentation, but this is illegal and the medication may be counterfeit. Always obtain medication from a reputable licensed pharmacy and with a valid local prescription.

Related practical guide

Benzodiazepines Abroad: Why Customs Can Seize Your Prescription

A valid prescription does not protect your benzodiazepines at every border. Here is what customs officers actually check, and what happens when supply runs out abroad.