Vyvanse in Mexico: Fracción II Status, Supply and Customs

Vyvanse is a Fracción II controlled substance in Mexico. Know the customs rules, supply limits, and local availability before you fly.

Quick reference

Drug class: Central nervous system stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, Fracción II (Group II psychotropic) under Mexico's Ley General de Salud
Prescription required: Yes, a valid prescription from a licensed Mexican doctor is required to dispense locally
Available locally: Limited. Vyvanse (brand name identical in Mexico, distributed by Takeda) has faced a prolonged back-order since 2021; a generic lisdexamfetamine from Lemery was approved by COFEPRIS but distribution licensing was still pending as of early 2026. Call ahead to confirm stock before relying on local supply.
Storage: Room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Short excursions to 15°C–30°C (59°F–86°F) are acceptable. Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Max supply to carry: Carry only the quantity needed for your stay. Customs guidelines state your supply must not exceed the amount required for the duration of your trip. Bringing up to a 90-day supply with documentation is commonly cited as permissible for personal use.
Key document: Doctor's letter or prescription in Spanish, including: your full name, medication name (INN: lisdexamfetamine; brand: Vyvanse), dose, daily frequency, quantity carried, your doctor's name, professional registration number, signature, and contact details.
Emergency alternative: If supply fails, consult a private psychiatrist in Mexico to explore locally available alternatives such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta); obtaining a new Vyvanse prescription locally is possible in principle but supply constraints make dispensing uncertain.

Where to find Vyvanse in Mexico

Farmacias del Ahorro
Major chain; carries Vyvanse with COFEPRIS Fracción II controlled prescription. Supply has been tight nationally since 2023.
Intermittent
Farmacias Guadalajara
Same controlled-substance pathway; supply patchy.
Intermittent
Farmacia San Pablo (Mexico City)
Premium pharmacy; specialist support more likely.
Unknown
Private hospital pharmacies
Specialty private hospitals may hold Vyvanse stock — call ahead before arrival.
Intermittent

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Taking Vyvanse to Mexico

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a Fracción II psychotropic under Mexico's Ley General de Salud, the same tier as other tightly controlled stimulants. Possessing it without correct documentation is a criminal offence, not a customs technicality. Local pharmacy supply has been severely constrained since Takeda stopped marketing Vyvanse in Mexico in January 2021, and a pending generic licence had not produced consistent availability as of early 2026. Bringing a sufficient personal supply, with complete documentation, is the only reliable strategy for your trip.^[1]

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 Vyvanse

Mexican customs regulations require that passengers carrying prescription medication for personal use present a valid medical prescription or a signed doctor's letter at the point of entry. Because Vyvanse is a Fracción II psychotropic, customs officers will pay close attention to your documentation. The prescription must be translated into Spanish and must include your doctor's professional registration number, signature, and contact details.^[3]^[2]

What your doctor's letter must include

Full name of the patient. Medication name: lisdexamfetamine (INN) / Vyvanse (brand). Prescribed dose and daily frequency. Total quantity being carried. Diagnosis (one word or condition name is sufficient). Doctor's full name, professional registration number, clinic address and phone number, and signature on headed paper. The document should be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation.

An official translation into Spanish is required by Mexican customs guidelines. Notarisation is not typically required for personal-use medical documentation, but a certified translation adds weight to your documentation if customs officials question you. Prepare the translated letter before you travel, do not rely on translating at the airport.^[2]

How much Vyvanse to bring

Mexican customs guidelines state that the quantity of medication you carry must not exceed what is needed for your stay. A 90-day supply is widely cited as the upper limit permissible for personal use with supporting documentation. Given that local Vyvanse supply is unreliable, bring the maximum your documentation supports. Carry a buffer of at least 10–15 extra days in case of travel disruption.^[4]^[2]

Split your supply

Place the majority of your supply in your hand luggage and a small backup amount in checked luggage. If one bag is delayed or lost, you retain a portion of your medication. Keep both portions in the original manufacturer's packaging with the pharmacy label intact. Never transfer capsules into an unlabelled container.

Packing and storing Vyvanse for travel

Vyvanse should be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), with short excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F) during transit. Mexico City's capital sits at 2,240 m altitude with temperate conditions, but coastal and low-altitude destinations can exceed 35°C. Keep capsules in your carry-on bag away from direct sunlight, avoid leaving them in a car, on a beach, or in a hot hotel safe. Heat above 30°C sustained over several hours risks degrading potency; if your accommodation lacks reliable air conditioning, keep the container in the coolest part of the room, such as a bottom drawer.^[5]

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment so your prescriber can write the right backup pathway for Mexico.

If Vyvanse isn't stocked in Mexico, can you write a backup prescription naming a sibling brand or the generic (Lisdexamfetamine)?
What wording on the doctor's letter will Mexico's customs officials recognise? Should it list Lisdexamfetamine (INN), Vyvanse, dose, and total milligrams?
What's the safest plan if I run out of Vyvanse mid-trip — can you arrange an emergency refill remotely, or do I need a local consultation?
How should I time my doses around the time-zone change to Mexico?
Is there a brand-specific reason I shouldn't switch to a local equivalent if the supply situation in Mexico forces it?

At the airport and border

Airport security with Vyvanse

Vyvanse capsules are a solid oral medication and are not subject to the 100 ml liquid rule at airport security. Keep your supply in your hand luggage in original packaging so that security staff can read the pharmacy label. If a scanner flags the medication, present your doctor's letter and prescription immediately, do not wait to be asked. IATA guidance recommends keeping all prescribed medication in carry-on luggage to avoid loss or temperature exposure in the hold.

Customs and medication import rules for Mexico

On arrival in Mexico, you must declare your medication to customs and present your prescription or doctor's letter on request.. Mexico uses a red light / green light random inspection system; if your baggage is selected for inspection and you are carrying a controlled psychotropic without documentation, the consequences can be severe, including confiscation and detention. Ensure medications are in hand luggage, in original boxes, and placed in a transparent bag where possible..^[3]^[2]

Controlled substance warning

Vyvanse is classified as a Fracción II psychotropic substance under Mexico's Ley General de Salud. This is the highest-control tier for prescription medications and carries strict documentation requirements. Possession without a valid prescription and supporting doctor's letter can result in confiscation, fines, or criminal prosecution. Do not carry Vyvanse in Mexico without the full documentation set described in this guide. Never purchase Vyvanse from an unlicensed source. Independent drug-checking research has found counterfeit pills sold as Vyvanse in tourist pharmacies that contained methamphetamine.

While in country

Vyvanse availability in Mexico

Vyvanse + sibling ADHD-stimulant brands in Mexico

Brand	Mexico legal status	Availability notes
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)	Fracción II controlled	Brand-name dispensing; no generic yet in Mexico
Adderall (amphetamine salts)	Fracción II controlled — import only	Not domestically registered; must be imported with foreign Rx
Concerta (methylphenidate)	Fracción II controlled	Most widely stocked ADHD stimulant in Mexico

Vyvanse is marketed in Mexico under the same brand name (Vyvanse, lisdexamfetamine, Takeda) but has been effectively unavailable since Takeda halted distribution in January 2021. A generic lisdexamfetamine from Lemery received COFEPRIS registration approval, but full distribution licensing through the Secretaría de Salud remained pending as of early 2026, meaning consistent pharmacy stock cannot be assumed. When available, a 28-capsule pack was priced at approximately MXN $1,318 (~$77 / ~€65). Larger pharmacy chains (Farmacia San Pablo, Farmacia Guadalajara, and Farmacias del Ahorro) are more likely to hold stock than small independent pharmacies, but call ahead to confirm before making a trip.^[4]^[6]

Finding a doctor who can prescribe Vyvanse in Mexico

A Mexican-licensed psychiatrist or neurologist can prescribe lisdexamfetamine, but only after their own clinical assessment, your existing prescription from another country cannot be dispensed directly at a Mexican pharmacy. See also our guide to ADHD in Mexico for a broader overview of stimulant access. Private psychiatrist consultations in Mexico City typically cost MXN $800–$2,000 (~$47–$116 / ~€40–€99). English-speaking psychiatrists are available in major cities including Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Telemedicine services such as Nomadoc operate in Mexico and can facilitate assessments, though prescriptions for Fracción II substances still require a licensed Mexican practitioner.

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Storing Vyvanse while in Mexico

The manufacturer's prescribing information permits short excursions up to 30°C (86°F), but sustained exposure above this threshold risks degrading the active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine. In coastal and jungle destinations where ambient temperatures regularly exceed 30°C (including Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and the Yucatán peninsula) store capsules in the coolest part of your accommodation rather than on a nightstand or in a hot car. Hotel room safes can reach high temperatures if they are metal and exposed to sunlight; a cool drawer or insulated pouch is preferable. If you experience a power outage lasting more than a few hours in a hot climate, move the medication to an air-conditioned space as soon as possible.^[5]

“¿Tienen Vyvanse en stock? (genérico: lisdexanfetamina)”

Do you have Vyvanse in stock? (generic: lisdexamfetamine)

“Si no hay Vyvanse, ¿qué alternativa con lisdexanfetamina venden aquí?”

If you don't have Vyvanse, what lisdexamfetamine alternative do you sell here?

“Necesito una receta para lisdexanfetamina de un médico local. ¿Pueden recomendarme uno?”

I need a local prescription for lisdexamfetamine. Can you recommend a doctor?

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Emergencies

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

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report (denuncia) immediately, the report number will support any insurance claim and is evidence of good faith if customs questions your reduced supply on departure. Contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line to confirm whether replacement medication costs are covered under your policy.

If you run out unexpectedly, contact a private psychiatrist in Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Monterrey to request an assessment and local prescription. Because Vyvanse is a controlled substance under Fracción II, an emergency refill is not a straightforward pharmacy transaction, a Mexican clinician must issue a new controlled-substance prescription. If Vyvanse is unavailable locally, ask the psychiatrist about bridging with methylphenidate (Ritalin or Concerta), which is more consistently stocked in Mexican pharmacies.

“Necesito mi medicamento controlado, Vyvanse (lisdexanfetamina). | Tengo una receta de mi médico. | ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana? | Por favor, llame a un médico. | Perdí mi medicamento y necesito ayuda.”

I need my controlled medication, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine). | I have a prescription from my doctor. | Where is the nearest pharmacy? | Please call a doctor. | I lost my medication and need help.

The emergency number in Mexico is 911, which covers ambulance, police, and fire services. For non-emergency medical referrals, the IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) helpline operates nationally. Private hospitals such as Hospital Ángeles and Médica Sur in Mexico City have English-speaking psychiatrists and can expedite an appointment for a traveller with documented clinical need.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I bring Vyvanse into Mexico?

Yes, you can bring Vyvanse into Mexico for personal use provided you carry a valid prescription or signed doctor's letter translated into Spanish, and the quantity does not exceed what is needed for your stay.. A 90-day supply is cited as the commonly accepted personal-use limit with full documentation.^[3]

Is Vyvanse available in pharmacies in Mexico?

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine, Takeda) has been on back-order in Mexico since early 2021 and pharmacy stock cannot be reliably assumed as of 2026.. A generic version from Lemery received COFEPRIS approval but full dispensing authorisation was still pending. Do not travel to Mexico without a sufficient personal supply.^[5]

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

Yes. Because Vyvanse is a Fracción II controlled psychotropic in Mexico, a signed doctor's letter or prescription translated into Spanish is required at the point of entry. The letter must include your name, medication name (INN and brand), dose, quantity, and your doctor's registration number and contact details. Without this documentation, Mexican customs may confiscate the medication.

What if I run out of Vyvanse in Mexico?

Contact a private psychiatrist in a major city for an assessment and a new controlled-substance prescription. Because local Vyvanse supply is unreliable, ask the psychiatrist about bridging with methylphenidate (Ritalin or Concerta), which is more consistently available in Mexico with a valid prescription. Call your travel insurer before paying for a consultation to confirm reimbursement.

Is it safe to buy Vyvanse from a pharmacy in Mexico without a prescription?

No. Purchasing a Fracción II controlled substance without a prescription is illegal in Mexico and can result in criminal penalties. Beyond the legal risk, a UCLA drug-checking study documented counterfeit pills sold as Vyvanse and Adderall in tourist-facing pharmacies in northern Mexico that contained methamphetamine instead of the labelled medicine. Only use licensed, reputable pharmacy chains and present a valid prescription.^[8]

How should I store Vyvanse in Mexico's heat?

Vyvanse should be kept at 20°C to 25°C, with short excursions permitted up to 30°C.. In hot coastal destinations, store capsules away from direct sunlight and avoid leaving them in a vehicle or unventilated space. If temperatures consistently exceed 30°C in your accommodation, request a room with reliable air conditioning.^[6]

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.