Vyvanse in South Korea: Import Restrictions and Options

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Lisdexamfetamine is a psychotropic medicine (향정신성의약품) under Article 2(3)(나) of the Narcotics Control Act. Bringing it in requires a Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit from MFDS, issued before travel. MFDS decides each application individually and does not publish which ingredients it approves, so approval is not assured. Do not pack any Vyvanse unless MFDS has issued you a written permit that names lisdexamfetamine.
Prescription required: Yes. Lisdexamfetamine cannot be prescribed or bought locally; a Korean psychiatrist manages local ADHD treatment.
Available locally: Vyvanse and Elvanse are not sold in South Korea. Methylphenidate (for example Concerta) is prescribed locally, with shortages reported.
Storage: Room temperature in original packaging; keep out of heat and humidity
Max supply to carry: Only the quantity stated in a written MFDS permit. Without a permit, bring none.
Key document: A written MFDS Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit naming lisdexamfetamine, if MFDS grants one. MFDS decides each application individually and does not publish which ingredients it approves, so approval is not assured. Also a doctor's letter naming Vyvanse and lisdexamfetamine with dose.
Emergency alternative: Agree an alternative plan with your prescriber before departure; do not change ingredient on your own.

Where to find Vyvanse in South Korea

Community pharmacies (yakguk)
Vyvanse and Elvanse are not sold in South Korea.
Unknown
Hospital outpatient pharmacies
Vyvanse and Elvanse are not sold in South Korea. Psychiatrists prescribe methylphenidate products instead.
Unknown

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Vyvanse in South Korea: what changes when you travel

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not sold in South Korea, and neither is Elvanse, its UK and European brand name. Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic medicine (향정신성의약품) under Korea's Narcotics Control Act.^[6] Korea only lets travellers bring in medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances if they hold a Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), issued before travel.^[4] MFDS decides each application individually, so approval is not assured. Do not pack Vyvanse without a written permit naming lisdexamfetamine; plan another treatment with your prescriber before you fly.

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 Korea with Vyvanse

Vyvanse's ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, is turned into dextroamphetamine in the body. Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic medicine (향정신성의약품) under Article 2(3)(나) of Korea's Narcotics Control Act.^[5]^[6] Korea only lets travellers bring in medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances if they hold a Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), issued before travel, and they must carry the medicine with them^[3]^[4]. This applies regardless of nationality. MFDS decides each application individually and does not publish which ingredients it approves, so approval is not assured. Do not pack any Vyvanse unless MFDS has issued you a written permit that names lisdexamfetamine. Without one, plan a different treatment with your prescriber. Contact the MFDS Narcotics Policy Division, using the contact details on the MFDS Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit page^[4], before you book.

MFDS approval is not assured. MFDS decides each application individually^[4] and does not publish which ingredients it approves, so approval is not assured. Assume your application may be refused. Apply as early as you can. Before you apply, agree a backup ADHD plan with your prescriber in case MFDS says no. If you have not received a written permit naming lisdexamfetamine by the time you fly, leave the Vyvanse at home. Carrying it without a permit is an offence under Korea's Narcotics Control Act.

How to apply for the MFDS permit

Apply to MFDS, not to an embassy^[4], for a Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit before you depart. The MFDS guideline sets out the documents and steps.^[4]^[3]

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

When you apply for your MFDS permit, the letter should list Vyvanse and lisdexamfetamine, plus dose and capsule or chewable strength. The permit and the letter must match the product in your bag.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Your prescriber knows your history, so these decisions are theirs to make.

Given that Vyvanse is not sold in South Korea, what is my treatment plan for the whole trip?
If MFDS refuses my permit, what is my treatment plan for the trip?
Can you write a letter naming both Vyvanse and lisdexamfetamine, with dose, to support my MFDS permit application?
If I plan to stay beyond a few weeks, should I arrange a Korean psychiatrist's assessment before I leave?
If a different ADHD medicine is needed locally, what should I expect in effects, timing and side effects?
How can I reach you or a covering clinician from South Korea if I have concerns about my treatment?

How much Vyvanse to bring

If MFDS grants a permit, bring only the quantity it covers, and carry it with you into Korea^[4]. The permit applies to medicines you carry, so do not post or send Vyvanse ahead. Without a permit, bring none.

Medical records to carry

Carry your diagnosis, current dose, treatment history and prescriber contact details in one place. A Korean clinician will not know Vyvanse by brand, so the record should lead with lisdexamfetamine. Your Nomedic record holds this in an IPS format that any clinician can read.

Start early. Apply well before you travel. MFDS needs to issue the permit before you board. See also our guide to medication import rules.

Customs and security with Vyvanse in South Korea

Narcotic and psychotropic medicines must meet additional import requirements at Korean customs^[4]. Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic medicine (향정신성의약품) under Korea's Narcotics Control Act^[5]. Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances may only be brought into Korea with an MFDS Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit^[4], issued before you travel. A foreign prescription alone is not enough. MFDS decides each application individually and does not publish which ingredients it approves, so approval is not assured. Do not pack Vyvanse unless MFDS has issued you a written permit naming lisdexamfetamine. If you have not received one, agree another treatment with your prescriber before you fly. If you are only transiting Korea, ask the MFDS Narcotics Policy Division, using the contact details on the MFDS permit page,^[4] before you book whether you need a permit.

What to have ready at Korean customs

If MFDS has issued you a permit, keep it with your medical documents, ready to show. Keep Vyvanse in your hand luggage in its original packaging^[4]. The product and quantity in your bag should match the permit. For more detail, see the customs clearance guidance^[2] for medicines.

Vyvanse availability in South Korea

Vyvanse vs Elvanse in South Korea

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in South Korea
Vyvanse	ADHD (indications vary by market)	Lisdexamfetamine capsules and chewable tablets	Not sold in South Korea; bringing your own supply is only possible with a written MFDS permit issued before travel. MFDS decides each application individually and does not publish which ingredients it approves, so approval is not assured
Elvanse	ADHD	Lisdexamfetamine, the same ingredient under a different brand name	Not sold in South Korea; Elvanse is the brand name in the UK and several European countries

Vyvanse and Elvanse contain the same ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, and neither is sold in South Korea. Elvanse is the brand name used in the UK and several European countries. If you see a Korean doctor, use the ingredient name lisdexamfetamine and show your letter; no Korean pharmacy can supply it.

Local ADHD stimulant treatment centres on methylphenidate: methylphenidate products such as Concerta are what Korean psychiatrists prescribe, and Korean medical press has reported a prolonged ADHD drug shortage^[1], so local supply of the alternative is not guaranteed either.

There is no Korean price for Vyvanse because Vyvanse is not sold in South Korea. Ask a psychiatrist's clinic for current costs of any alternative they propose.

Phrases for a Korean doctor or pharmacist

“바이반스나 엘반스(Elvanse)를 한국에서 판매하나요?”

Are Vyvanse or Elvanse sold in Korea?

Finding ADHD care in South Korea

Local stimulant treatment runs through a Korean psychiatrist, who will prescribe from the locally approved range. Book the first appointment before you need it, because a new assessment can take time to arrange. Bring a translated summary of your diagnosis, your dose history and the response to each medicine you have tried.

Ask the clinic about stock of any proposed product before you rely on it. Concerta shortages have been reported, so a prescription does not guarantee a filled bottle. Seoul has the densest choice of clinics. Outside it, expect fewer options. Our South Korea travel guide covers hospitals and pharmacies.

Switching to a different brand or generic in South Korea

Elvanse is the same molecule, but it is not sold in South Korea either, so it does not solve a supply gap. Concerta contains a different ingredient, methylphenidate, with a different profile, so moving to it is a prescriber decision and not a pharmacy swap. Any local prescription will follow a Korean psychiatrist's own assessment. Bring your questions from the checklist above.

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in South Korea

A lost Vyvanse supply cannot be replaced at a Korean pharmacy. Because Vyvanse is not sold in Korea and any replacement supply would need a new MFDS permit, a lost supply may not be replaceable at all. Contact your prescriber and a Korean psychiatrist promptly. For questions about permits, ask the MFDS Narcotics Policy Division, using the contact details on the MFDS Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit page. Report theft to the police on 112, and call 119 for an ambulance if you feel unwell. Your embassy can help with consular support.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in South Korea?

Vyvanse is not sold in South Korea. Its ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, is turned into dextroamphetamine in the body. Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic medicine (향정신성의약품) under Article 2(3)(나) of Korea's Narcotics Control Act.^[6] Korea only lets travellers bring in medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances if they hold a Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), issued before travel.^[4] MFDS decides each application individually and does not publish which ingredients it approves, so approval is not assured. Contact the MFDS Narcotics Policy Division, using the contact details on the MFDS Self Treatment Narcotics Bring in Permit page, before you book. Do not pack any Vyvanse unless MFDS has issued you a written permit that names lisdexamfetamine. Without one, plan a different treatment with your prescriber.

Is Vyvanse available in South Korea?

Vyvanse is not sold in South Korea. Locally approved ADHD stimulants are methylphenidate-based, so a pharmacy visit will not produce a replacement.

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

There is none in practice. Both contain lisdexamfetamine and neither is sold in South Korea. Elvanse is the brand name used in the UK and several European countries, so a letter naming both brands avoids confusion.

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

Elvanse is not sold there either, so the switch gains nothing. Any change to a different ingredient, such as Concerta, is a decision for your prescriber and a Korean psychiatrist.

How much does Vyvanse cost in South Korea?

No Korean price exists because the product is not marketed. Ask a psychiatrist's clinic for costs of any locally approved alternative, and check whether your travel insurer covers outpatient psychiatric care.

Do I need a prescription to buy Vyvanse in South Korea?

You cannot buy it at all, with or without a prescription. Local ADHD treatment starts with a Korean psychiatrist, and you should not assume a foreign prescription will be filled.

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.

Vyvanse in South Korea: Import Restrictions, No Local Supply, Options