Vyvanse in Spain: Elvanse, Prescribing and Supply

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic substance under Spain's Lista II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, regulated by AEMPS.
Prescription required: Yes. A Spanish psychiatrist or neurologist must issue the prescription. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted for in-country dispensing.
Available locally: Vyvanse is not sold under that name in Spain. Elvanse (the same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine) is the licensed brand. Supply has been subject to intermittent shortages at individual pharmacies.
Storage: Store below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Keep in original blister packaging.
Max supply to carry: Up to 30 days for Schengen entry when carried as a personal supply. Bring a full supply for your trip.
Key document: Doctor's letter naming Vyvanse AND lisdexamfetamine (INN) plus dose, and your original prescription. A Permiso de Viajeros from AEMPS is required for importing controlled psychotropics into Spain. See our ADHD medication in Spain guide for the full application process.
Emergency alternative: If your supply runs out, a Spanish psychiatrist can prescribe Elvanse after a consultation; contact a private psychiatry clinic in the nearest major city.

Where to find Vyvanse in Spain

Farmacia (any registered pharmacy)
Vyvanse is not registered in Spain. Ask specifically for Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine), which is the approved equivalent brand. Pharmacies require a Spanish-issued prescription.
Elvanse 30 mg (30 capsules): approximately €80–€120 (~$88–$133)
Unknown
Farmacia Especializada (specialist pharmacy linked to psychiatric clinics)
Specialist pharmacies in Madrid and Barcelona are more likely to hold Elvanse stock, particularly in higher doses. Phone ahead to confirm availability.
Elvanse 70 mg (30 capsules): approximately €120–€160 (~$133–$178)
Intermittent
Hospital-linked pharmacy (farmacia hospitalaria)
Hospital pharmacies may dispense Elvanse to inpatients or patients referred by a hospital psychiatrist, but are generally not accessible to walk-in travellers.
Price varies; typically subsidised for residents enrolled in the SNS.
Limited

Save this to your travel brief

Keep these pharmacy notes + your medication list in one place across every trip.

Vyvanse in Spain: what you need to know before you travel

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not authorised for sale in Spain^[1] under that brand name. The same active ingredient is licensed and dispensed in Spain as Elvanse. If you travel with Vyvanse capsules, you will not find a direct brand-name refill at a Spanish pharmacy; you will need a Spanish prescription for Elvanse instead. For the full import paperwork process, including the AEMPS Permiso de Viajeros, see our ADHD in Spain guide.

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 Spain with Vyvanse

Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic under Spain's AEMPS framework^[2], and a Permiso de Viajeros is required to bring it across the border. Your doctor's letter must name both Vyvanse (your home-country brand) and lisdexamfetamine (the INN) so Spanish customs can match it to the approved substance. For the full application timeline and what the letter must contain, see our ADHD in Spain guide.

Naming Vyvanse on your doctor's letter

The letter should include the brand name Vyvanse, the international generic name lisdexamfetamine, the dose in milligrams, and your daily frequency. Spanish customs officers search by the INN, but naming the brand avoids any ambiguity if they query it against databases that list Elvanse rather than Vyvanse.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring these questions to your prescriber before you leave, particularly because Vyvanse is not sold under that name in Spain.

Can you write a secondary letter or prescription naming lisdexamfetamine and Elvanse (the Spanish brand) in case I need a local consultation?
Can the doctor's letter include your registration number, clinic address, and contact details so a Spanish psychiatrist can verify my prescription remotely?
If my trip exceeds 30 days, what is the process for obtaining an extended supply or a supplementary prescription?
If I need to switch from Vyvanse capsules to Elvanse capsules mid-trip due to a packaging difference, what should I discuss with the local prescriber?
What is your preferred method of contact from Spain if I have an emergency or need documentation reissued quickly?

How much Vyvanse to bring

The Schengen area permits a personal supply of up to 30 days^[3] for controlled psychotropics when accompanied by correct documentation. Because Vyvanse is not sold in Spain and Elvanse availability at individual pharmacies can be inconsistent, bring your full trip supply plus a small buffer. Do not rely on obtaining an emergency refill quickly, as obtaining a Spanish psychiatrist appointment and prescription takes time.

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Vyvanse in Spain

Carry Vyvanse in its original manufacturer packaging with blister labels intact. Keep your Permiso de Viajeros, doctor's letter, and prescription in your hand luggage, not in checked baggage. Spanish customs may not recognise the Vyvanse brand name; present the lisdexamfetamine INN name and the AEMPS permit together. Airport security screening in Spain follows national rules for carrying medications through security^[4]; your supporting documentation satisfies both customs and security requirements at the same time.

While in country

Vyvanse availability in Spain

Vyvanse vs Elvanse in Spain

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in Spain
Vyvanse	ADHD (adults and children 6+)	Oral capsule (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)	Not registered in Spain; cannot be purchased locally
Elvanse	ADHD (adults and children 6+)	Oral capsule (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate): identical active ingredient	Registered and dispensed in Spain; intermittent stock at individual pharmacies

Elvanse is the only lisdexamfetamine product authorised by the AEMPS for sale in Spain^[5]. It contains the same active ingredient as Vyvanse at identical milligram strengths, but it is a distinct brand with its own marketing authorisation. A Spanish psychiatrist must issue the prescription; GPs cannot initiate a new controlled psychotropic prescription for this substance. Stock levels vary by city and pharmacy, with Madrid and Barcelona generally having better availability than smaller towns.

Elvanse is not covered by Spain's Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) for travellers without a Spanish health card. Private-pay prices are approximately €80–€160 (~$88–$178) for a 30-capsule pack^[6] depending on dose strength. Budget for a private psychiatry consultation of approximately €100–€200 (~$111–$222) if you need a local prescription.

Pharmacy phrases for Spain

“¿Tienen Elvanse? Es el equivalente español de Vyvanse.”

Do you have Elvanse? It is the Spanish equivalent of Vyvanse.

“Necesito lisdexanfetamina. Mi médico me ha recetado Vyvanse en mi país de origen.”

I need lisdexamfetamine. My doctor prescribed Vyvanse in my home country.

“¿Está disponible Elvanse en esta farmacia o pueden pedirlo?”

Is Elvanse available at this pharmacy, or can you order it?

Get these phrases in 23 languages — offline

Nomedic Translate works at the pharmacy counter even without signal.

Try Nomedic Translate

Switching to Elvanse in Spain

Elvanse and Vyvanse share the same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, at the same milligram strengths (20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg). The clinical profile is not meaningfully different between the two brands. However, switching from your labelled Vyvanse supply to a locally dispensed Elvanse prescription requires a new Spanish psychiatrist consultation and a locally issued prescription.

There are no other sibling brands of lisdexamfetamine sold in Spain. Generic lisdexamfetamine is not currently available in Spain, so Elvanse is the only option if you need a local supply. Always confirm the switch with a local prescriber rather than self-managing the transition.

Emergencies

What to do if you lose Vyvanse in Spain

If your supply is lost or stolen, contact your travel insurer immediately and obtain a police report (denuncia) from the nearest Comisaría. Vyvanse cannot be replaced directly, but a private psychiatrist can assess you and issue an Elvanse prescription if they judge it appropriate. Call Spain's general emergency number 112 for any medical emergency, or attend a hospital urgencias department.

Private psychiatry appointments in major Spanish cities can often be arranged within 24 to 72 hours. Use your Nomedic IPS record to share your medication name, INN, dose, and prescribing doctor details with the Spanish clinician at the consultation.

Your medication details, ready to share

Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency in your IPS, readable by any clinician worldwide.

Go to my record

Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in Spain?

Yes, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is legal to bring into Spain, but it is a controlled psychotropic substance and you must obtain a Permiso de Viajeros from AEMPS before travel, carry a doctor's letter naming both Vyvanse and lisdexamfetamine plus your original prescription, and limit your personal supply to a maximum of 30 days.

Is Vyvanse available in Spain?

No. Vyvanse is not registered with the AEMPS and is not sold at any Spanish pharmacy. The same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, is sold in Spain under the brand name Elvanse. If you need a local supply, you must obtain a prescription for Elvanse from a Spanish psychiatrist.

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Elvanse in Spain?

Vyvanse and Elvanse contain the same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, at identical milligram strengths. The difference is purely commercial: Vyvanse is marketed in certain countries (including the United States and Canada) while Elvanse carries the European marketing authorisation, including Spain. There is no clinical difference in the medication itself.

Can I switch from Vyvanse to Elvanse in Spain if my supply runs out?

Because the active ingredient is identical, a Spanish psychiatrist may consider prescribing Elvanse in an emergency. The decision rests with the local prescriber after a consultation; it is not a direct brand swap you can make at the pharmacy counter. Book a private psychiatry appointment and bring your full medication documentation, including your original Vyvanse prescription and a Nomedic IPS record.

Do I need a Spanish prescription to buy Elvanse in Spain?

Yes. Elvanse is a controlled psychotropic substance in Spain and requires a locally issued Spanish prescription. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted for dispensing at Spanish pharmacies. A Spanish psychiatrist must issue the prescription after a consultation; a GP cannot initiate treatment with lisdexamfetamine.

How much does Elvanse cost in Spain without insurance?

Elvanse costs approximately €80–€160 (~$88–$178) for a 30-capsule pack at private-pay prices, depending on dose strength. Spain's SNS does not cover Elvanse for travellers without a Spanish health card. Add the cost of a private psychiatry consultation, typically €100–€200 (~$111–$222), if you need a local prescription.

Vyvanse in Spain: Not Approved, Elvanse, and Prescribing