Vyvanse in South Africa: Schedule 6, Supply and Elvanse

Q: Is Vyvanse available in South Africa?

Yes. Takeda holds the registration. Stock varies by branch, so phone pharmacies ahead (larger chain branches are a sensible first call) and confirm they hold your strength. South African capsules come in 30, 50 and 70 mg.

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is registered in South Africa as Schedule 6, with a second-line ADHD label. Know the one-month carry limit and the Elvanse name.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant (prodrug of dexamfetamine)
Controlled substance: Yes. Schedule 6 under South Africa's Medicines and Related Substances Act.
Prescription required: Yes. Local label: ADHD in patients over 13 up to 55, after methylphenidate and atomoxetine have failed.
Available locally: Vyvanse is registered to Takeda in 30, 50 and 70 mg capsules. Elvanse is the UK/European name; ask for Vyvanse or lisdexamfetamine. Other registered lisdexamfetamine products may exist; ask the pharmacist by ingredient.
Storage: Capsules in original packaging. Follow the storage temperature on your leaflet.
Max supply to carry: Up to one month's supply for personal use, with prescription and doctor's letter. For more, contact SAHPRA before travel or get a local prescription.
Key document: Doctor's letter naming Vyvanse, lisdexamfetamine, strength and daily dose, plus the prescription.
Emergency alternative: See a South African psychiatrist or GP for a new Schedule 6 prescription; product choice is the prescriber's decision.

Where to find Vyvanse in South Africa

Clicks
Stock not confirmed. Phone the branch ahead to ask whether it holds Vyvanse in your strength and quantity.
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Dis-Chem
Stock not confirmed. Phone the branch ahead to ask whether it holds Vyvanse in your strength and quantity.
Unknown
Independent and hospital pharmacies
Ask whether they can order Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) in for you.
Unknown

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Vyvanse in South Africa: what changes when you travel

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is registered in South Africa to Takeda and carries Schedule 6 status on the approved leaflet^[1]. The local label is narrower than the product you may know: ADHD where methylphenidate and atomoxetine have failed^[1], in patients over 13 and up to 55 years old^[6].

The same ingredient is sold as Elvanse in the UK and several European countries. In South Africa, ask for Vyvanse or for lisdexamfetamine.

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.

Documentation for travelling to South Africa with Vyvanse

South African regulations allow a person entering or leaving the country to carry up to one month's supply of a Schedule 6 medicine such as Vyvanse for personal use, with a valid prescription and a doctor's letter.^[5]^[4]^[3] Do not bring more than one month's supply. SAHPRA does not publish a traveller route for carrying more. If your stay is longer, plan to see a South African doctor for a local Schedule 6 prescription, or contact SAHPRA's Inspectorate and Regulatory Compliance unit before you travel. Do not pack extra unless SAHPRA authorises it in writing.

Do not arrange for Vyvanse to be posted or couriered to you in South Africa. SAHPRA's personal-use allowance applies only to medicine you carry with you when you enter South Africa^[5]^[3], so posted or couriered Schedule 6 medicine is not covered by it. Ordering medicine from abroad for personal use needs a SAHPRA section 21 authorisation^[5]. Bring your supply with you.

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

List the brand name Vyvanse and the international generic name lisdexamfetamine dimesilate, with capsule strength and daily dose. South African labelling uses 30 mg, 50 mg and 70 mg strengths, so state your dose in milligrams, not capsule counts alone.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Take these to your appointment; your prescriber decides the answers.

If Vyvanse is out of stock at a South African pharmacy, can you write a backup prescription naming lisdexamfetamine as well as the brand?
Vyvanse is registered in South Africa in 30 mg, 50 mg and 70 mg capsules. Does my current dose fit those strengths for the whole trip?
The South African label places Vyvanse after methylphenidate and atomoxetine. Can you give me a written treatment history for any local doctor?
My trip is longer than one month. Can you write a treatment summary so a South African doctor can prescribe for the rest of my stay?
I take Vyvanse once in the morning. How should I time my dose across time zones on arrival day?
Who can I contact from South Africa if a pharmacist or border officer queries my letter?

How much Vyvanse to bring

Count every day from departure to return, including transit, and pack that quantity, up to one month's supply^[5]^[3], in original pharmacy packaging. Do not rely on a local refill: a South African prescriber working to the local label may want proof of prior methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment^[1], and the South African prescribing information advises reassessing the need for treatment every 6 months^[2].

Customs and security with Vyvanse in South Africa

Vyvanse is a capsule, so there is no cold chain, liquid limit or sharps issue at airport security. Carry it in hand luggage, in the labelled box, with your letter and prescription. Because it is Schedule 6, officers can ask for proof of lawful supply. See medication import rules for general guidance on flying with prescription medicine, and our South Africa travel guide for wider health context.

Vyvanse availability in South Africa

Vyvanse, Elvanse and other lisdexamfetamine products in South Africa

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in South Africa
Vyvanse	ADHD after methylphenidate and atomoxetine have failed; ages over 13 up to 55	Capsules, 30, 50 and 70 mg	Registered to Takeda; Schedule 6
Elvanse	Same ingredient (UK/European brand name)	UK/European brand name; ask for Vyvanse or lisdexamfetamine in South Africa	Ask for Vyvanse or lisdexamfetamine
Other lisdexamfetamine brands	Same ingredient; check the product's own leaflet	Ask the pharmacist which strengths are stocked	Other registered lisdexamfetamine products may exist; ask the pharmacist by ingredient. Switching product is your prescriber's decision

Vyvanse is a registered product here, and the patient leaflet lists Takeda as the manufacturer^[1] with 30, 50 and 70 mg capsules. The South African label covers ADHD in patients over 13 and up to 55 years old, when treatment with methylphenidate and atomoxetine has failed^[1]^[6]. Expect a local prescriber to ask about that history.

Stock varies by pharmacy, so ask by ingredient (lisdexamfetamine) as well as brand.

Prices vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity, so ask the pharmacist for a quote before buying. If you have travel insurance or a South African medical scheme, ask them before you buy whether lisdexamfetamine is covered.

Pharmacy phrases in Afrikaans

“Het julle Vyvanse?”

Do you have Vyvanse?

“Kan julle lisdexamfetamien vir my bestel?”

Can you order lisdexamfetamine for me?

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Switching to a different brand or generic in South Africa

Vyvanse may not be the only lisdexamfetamine product registered in South Africa. Ask the pharmacist by ingredient (lisdexamfetamine) which registered products they can supply. Switching product is your prescriber's decision. A prescription written for Elvanse should be presented as Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) in South Africa; your prescriber should name both on your letter. Methylphenidate brands such as Ritalin and Concerta are a different drug, and the Vyvanse label sits after them in treatment order. Use the prescriber checklist above, and see our ADHD in South Africa guide for those brands.

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in South Africa

Report theft to the police on 10111, then contact your prescriber for a fresh letter. A South African doctor must issue a new Schedule 6 prescription before any pharmacy can dispense. Do not ask anyone at home to post replacement capsules. Posted Schedule 6 medicine is not covered by the personal-use allowance for travellers, and ordering medicine from abroad needs a SAHPRA section 21 authorisation^[5]; ask SAHPRA before arranging any shipment. For a medical emergency call 10177 for an ambulance, or 112 from a mobile. Stopping suddenly may bring your ADHD symptoms back^[1].

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in South Africa?

Yes, with a prescription. Vyvanse is a registered Schedule 6 medicine^[1], and lawful personal carry depends on carrying no more than one month's supply^[5]^[3] and holding your prescription and doctor's letter. See controlled substance rules for context.

Is Vyvanse available in South Africa?

Yes. Takeda holds the registration^[1]. Stock varies by branch, so phone pharmacies ahead (larger chain branches are a sensible first call) and confirm they hold your strength. South African capsules come in 30, 50 and 70 mg^[1].

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Elvanse in South Africa?

They contain the same ingredient, lisdexamfetamine. Elvanse is the brand name used in the UK and several European countries. In South Africa, Vyvanse has a SAHPRA-approved patient leaflet^[1], so ask for Vyvanse or for lisdexamfetamine. The South African label covers ADHD in patients over 13 and up to 55 years old, when treatment with methylphenidate and atomoxetine has failed^[6]^[1].

Can I switch from Vyvanse to Elvanse in South Africa if Vyvanse isn't available?

Elvanse is the UK and European brand name for lisdexamfetamine. The SAHPRA-approved South African leaflet is for Vyvanse^[1]. Vyvanse may not be the only lisdexamfetamine product registered in South Africa. Ask the pharmacist by ingredient (lisdexamfetamine) which registered products they can supply. Switching product is your prescriber's decision.

How much does Vyvanse cost in South Africa?

Prices vary by pharmacy. Pharmacies set quotes by strength and quantity, so request one before buying. Ask your travel insurer or medical scheme whether it is covered.

Can an adult get a Vyvanse prescription in South Africa?

A local prescriber can prescribe it within the South African label, which covers adults up to 55 years old whose ADHD has not responded to methylphenidate and atomoxetine^[6]^[1]. The professional information also cites studies in adults with ADHD^[2]. Whether to prescribe outside the label is the prescriber's decision. Bring a written treatment history.

Related practical guide

10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication

Some ADHD stimulants are banned outright in certain countries and tightly controlled in many others. Here is the practical checklist every traveller needs before setting off.