Vyvanse/Elvanse in Portugal: Prescribing & Supply

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic substance under Portuguese law (Decree-Law 15/93, as amended by Law 9/2023). Scheduled under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (INCB Green List).
Prescription required: Yes. A prescription from a registered Portuguese psychiatrist is required to purchase Elvanse at a Portuguese farmácia. Foreign prescriptions are not directly honoured.
Available locally: Elvanse (the Portuguese/EU brand name for lisdexamfetamine) is authorised in Portugal and stocked at some pharmacies. Vyvanse by name is not sold. Stock can be intermittent due to Europe-wide ADHD medication supply pressures.
Storage: Store below 25°C, away from moisture and heat. Keep in original packaging with pharmacy label intact for customs and border checks.
Max supply to carry: 30 days' supply when entering the Schengen Area under Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention. Carry no more than this quantity.
Key document: Schengen Medical Certificate (or equivalent specialist letter) naming Vyvanse, the INN lisdexamfetamine, your dose, and your diagnosis. The document must be signed by your prescribing doctor.
Emergency alternative: If Elvanse stock is unavailable locally, a Portuguese psychiatrist can advise on an alternative under medical supervision, do not switch without consulting a doctor first.

Where to find lisdexamfetamine in Portugal

Farmácia Holon network
Elvanse (the Portuguese brand for lisdexamfetamine) is the product to request, Vyvanse by name will not appear in the stock system. Phone ahead to confirm availability before visiting.
~€60–€90 (~$65–$97) for 30 capsules, depending on dose strength
Intermittent
Wells Farmácia
Chain pharmacies in Lisbon and Porto city centres. Ask specifically for Elvanse (lisdexanfetamina). Supply has been subject to Europe-wide manufacturing constraints flagged by INFARMED and the EMA.
Price varies by dose; confirm at counter
Intermittent
Farmácia Saúde / independent farmácias
Independent pharmacies outside major cities carry smaller stock. Elvanse availability is less predictable in rural areas and smaller towns.
Comparable to chain pricing; no SNS subsidy for travellers
Limited
Hospital da Luz / CUF private hospital pharmacies
Private hospital pharmacies in Lisbon. Can dispense Elvanse against a local psychiatrist's prescription issued at the same institution. Useful if you need a local prescription and medication in one visit.
Typically slightly higher than street pharmacy; confirm at dispensary
Intermittent

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Vyvanse in Portugal: the brand name that won't appear on pharmacy shelves

Vyvanse is the North American brand name for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, a CNS stimulant classified as a controlled psychotropic substance under Portuguese law. In Portugal, the same active ingredient is registered and dispensed exclusively under the brand name Elvanse. If you arrive expecting to find Vyvanse in a farmácia, you will not, ask for Elvanse instead. The sibling brand comparison matters here: Elvanse and Vyvanse share the same molecule, but they are not interchangeable at the pharmacy counter without a local prescription.^[2]

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 Portugal with Vyvanse

Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic under Portuguese law and the Schengen 30-day personal-use cap and Medical Certificate requirement apply when crossing into Portugal. The full paperwork flow, what goes in the doctor's letter, how to apply for a Schengen Medical Certificate, and INFARMED's guidance, is covered in our ADHD in Portugal travel guide. One critical brand-specific point: your documentation must name Vyvanse AND lisdexamfetamine, because Portuguese customs and pharmacy systems recognise Elvanse (not Vyvanse) as the registered product.^[3]

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

The letter must list both the brand name you take (Vyvanse) and the international nonproprietary name (lisdexamfetamine), plus your dose and daily quantity. It should also note that Elvanse is the equivalent registered product in Portugal. This prevents confusion at both customs and the pharmacy counter, where staff will search for lisdexamfetamine or Elvanse, not Vyvanse.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Raise these points at your appointment before departure.

If Elvanse is out of stock in Portugal, can you provide a backup letter naming the active ingredient lisdexamfetamine so a local psychiatrist can issue an equivalent prescription?
Can the doctor's letter explicitly state that Vyvanse and Elvanse share the same active ingredient and dose, to support any local dispensing conversation?
If the trip exceeds 30 days, what is the plan for additional supply, is a remote consultation possible to support a local prescription pathway in Portugal?
Should the dose strength on the letter match the exact Elvanse capsule strengths available in Portugal (20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg) to make local dispensing straightforward?
What is the best way to reach you from Portugal if I need a supporting letter or remote consultation at short notice?

How much Vyvanse to bring

Bring your full trip supply from home. The EMA has flagged an active shortage of ADHD medicines including lisdexamfetamine across EU member states, and Portuguese pharmacies have experienced intermittent stock gaps. Add at least five days of buffer beyond your planned stay. The Schengen rules cap your import at 30 days, so plan accordingly if your trip is longer.^[1]

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Vyvanse in Portugal

Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled substance scheduled under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances; Portugal incorporated this into national law via Decree-Law 15/93, amended by Law 9/2023. Carry your capsules in their original packaging with the pharmacy label intact. Keep your Schengen Medical Certificate (or specialist letter naming Vyvanse, lisdexamfetamine, your dose, and the quantity you are carrying) in your hand luggage alongside the medication. If a customs officer at Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), or Faro (FAO) asks about the medication, the active ingredient name lisdexamfetamine is more likely to prompt recognition than the brand name Vyvanse.

While in country

Vyvanse availability in Portugal

Vyvanse vs Elvanse in Portugal

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in Portugal
Vyvanse	ADHD (adults and children); binge eating disorder in adults	Capsule (once daily)	Not registered in Portugal, not available at Portuguese pharmacies under this brand name
Elvanse	ADHD (adults and children); binge eating disorder in adults	Capsule (once daily), same active ingredient, same dose strengths (20–70 mg)	Registered and authorised by INFARMED; intermittent stock across pharmacy chains due to EU-wide supply pressures

Vyvanse does not have a Portuguese marketing authorisation. in Portugal, sharing the same active ingredient, same capsule doses, and same once-daily formulation as Vyvanse. You cannot purchase Vyvanse at a Portuguese farmácia, you can only obtain Elvanse, and only with a prescription issued by a Portuguese psychiatrist. Foreign prescriptions, including prescriptions naming Vyvanse, are not directly honoured at the pharmacy counter.

Elvanse is not reimbursed by the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) for travellers or non-registered residents, so you will pay the full out-of-pocket price. Expect to pay approximately €60–€90 (~$65–$97) for a 30-capsule pack, depending on dose strength. A private psychiatry consultation to obtain the local prescription will add €50–€150 (~$54–$163) on top. Check whether your travel insurance covers the cost of the consultation and medication.^[4]

Pharmacy phrases for Portugal

“Tem Elvanse? É o mesmo medicamento que o Vyvanse, com lisdexanfetamina.”

Do you have Elvanse? It is the same medication as Vyvanse, with lisdexamfetamine.

“Preciso de uma receita de psiquiatra para obter Elvanse?”

Do I need a psychiatrist's prescription to get Elvanse?

“Existe lisdexanfetamina disponível nesta farmácia? A minha marca habitual é Vyvanse.”

Is lisdexamfetamine available at this pharmacy? My usual brand is Vyvanse.

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Switching between Vyvanse and Elvanse in Portugal

Elvanse and Vyvanse contain the same active ingredient at the same dose strengths, so the clinical profile is identical. However, the switch is not something you can arrange at the pharmacy counter alone. You need a Portuguese psychiatrist to issue a new prescription naming Elvanse before any farmácia can dispense it. Do not attempt to substitute without medical involvement, even if you are confident the products are equivalent. A local doctor will also confirm that your current dose strength is available in Portuguese stock before writing the prescription.

Elvanse stock is not guaranteed

INFARMED and the EMA have both flagged supply constraints for lisdexamfetamine across EU member states. Even if Elvanse is listed on a pharmacy's system, specific dose strengths may be unavailable. Always phone ahead, and never depend on local restocking as your primary plan.

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in Portugal

If your Vyvanse is lost or stolen, go directly to a private psychiatry clinic or the psychiatry department of a private hospital such as Hospital da Luz or CUF in Lisbon, or Hospital de Santo António in Porto. Explain that you take lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse abroad, Elvanse in Portugal) and present your Schengen Medical Certificate, your Nomedic IPS, and any remaining packaging. Because lisdexamfetamine is a controlled substance, a Portuguese psychiatrist must issue a new local prescription before any farmácia can dispense Elvanse. File a police report (participação de ocorrência) if the medication was stolen, your insurer will likely require it. Portugal's emergency number is 112.^[5]

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in Portugal?

Yes, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is legal to bring into Portugal, but only under specific conditions: travellers may carry up to 30 days' supply when entering the Schengen Area, provided they travel with a Schengen Medical Certificate signed by their prescribing doctor and naming the medication, its INN lisdexamfetamine, their dose, and their diagnosis.

Is Vyvanse available in Portugal?

Vyvanse is not registered or sold in Portugal under that brand name. The same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, is sold in Portugal as Elvanse, which is authorised by INFARMED. If you are travelling with Vyvanse, you will need to ask pharmacies for Elvanse specifically, and you can only obtain it with a prescription from a registered Portuguese psychiatrist.

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Elvanse in Portugal?

Vyvanse and Elvanse contain the same active ingredient (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) at the same dose strengths (20 mg to 70 mg capsules) and share the same once-daily formulation. The difference is purely the brand name and its registered market: Vyvanse is the North American brand; Elvanse is the brand registered in Portugal and across most of the EU. Clinically they are equivalent, but only Elvanse can be dispensed at a Portuguese farmácia.

Can I get a prescription for Elvanse in Portugal if I run out of Vyvanse?

Yes, in principle, but it requires seeing a Portuguese psychiatrist in person. A foreign Vyvanse prescription cannot be presented directly at a pharmacy for dispensing. A private psychiatry consultation costs approximately €50–€150 (~$54–$163). The psychiatrist will assess your case and, if appropriate, issue a local prescription for Elvanse. Bring your Schengen Medical Certificate, your Nomedic IPS, and any original packaging.

How much does Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine) cost in Portugal?

Elvanse is not reimbursed by the SNS for travellers, so you pay the full price out of pocket. Expect approximately €60–€90 (~$65–$97) for a 30-capsule pack, depending on dose strength. This is separate from any private psychiatry consultation fee needed to obtain the local prescription. Check your travel insurance policy to see whether prescription medication costs are covered.

Do I need a Schengen Medical Certificate to bring Vyvanse into Portugal?

A Schengen Medical Certificate is strongly recommended. Lisdexamfetamine (the active ingredient in Vyvanse) is a controlled psychotropic substance under Portuguese law and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Under Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention, you may carry up to 30 days' supply for personal use, with a medical document justifying use. The certificate should name both Vyvanse and lisdexamfetamine, as Portuguese customs officers will recognise the INN rather than the brand name.

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/Elvanse in Portugal: Supply and Prescribing Rules