Vyvanse in Thailand: Category 2 Status and Alternatives

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Lisdexamfetamine is classified as a Category 2 narcotic under Thailand’s Narcotics Code. It is not banned, but personal import requires a permit (Form IC-2) from the Thai FDA.
Prescription required: Yes. Your prescription or signed medical document supports the Form IC-2 permit application; a foreign prescription alone does not authorise import.
Available locally: No. Plan to bring your own supply with a permit. Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is the usual locally prescribed ADHD stimulant, available at hospital pharmacies with a Thai psychiatrist’s prescription.
Storage: Keep capsules at room temperature (15–30°C). Thailand's ambient heat routinely exceeds 30°C; store in an air-conditioned bag when outdoors.
Max supply to carry: 90 days of usage, for personal treatment
Key document: Form IC-2 permit, issued by email after you apply online with your passport copy and a signed prescription or medical document. A comprehensive medical letter naming Vyvanse and the INN (lisdexamfetamine).
Emergency alternative: Consult a Thai psychiatrist who can assess and prescribe methylphenidate (Ritalin or Concerta), the only ADHD stimulant legally dispensed through hospital pharmacies in Thailand, a formal clinical assessment is required.

Where to find Vyvanse in Thailand

Any retail pharmacy chain (Boots, Watsons, local independents)
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not expected to be stocked at Thai pharmacies; bring your permitted supply rather than relying on local purchase.
Unknown
Hospital pharmacies (e.g. Bumrungrad International, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej)
No amphetamine-based medication is dispensed through hospital pharmacies in Thailand. Methylphenidate is available at these sites with a Thai psychiatrist prescription, but Vyvanse is not.
Unknown

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Vyvanse in Thailand: what the permit rules mean for you

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and its sibling brand Elvanse are classified as Category 2 narcotics under Thailand’s Narcotics Code, according to the Thai FDA’s traveler permit system.^[2] Vyvanse is not banned. Travellers under treatment can carry medication containing Category 2 narcotics into and out of Thailand for personal treatment, as long as the quantity does not exceed 90 days of usage and the regulations are followed strictly.

You must obtain an import permit (Form IC-2) from the Thai FDA before you travel. Without it, carrying Vyvanse into Thailand is not permitted, so do not arrive without the permit.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling, particularly regarding medication substitutions, documentation requirements, and legal status in your destination country.

Documentation for travelling to Thailand with Vyvanse

To carry Vyvanse into Thailand you need a permit (Form IC-2) from the Thai FDA. A traveller under treatment must submit a copy of their passport, and a medical prescription or medical document signed by their doctor that states the name of the medication, instructions for use, etc. Once your documents are ready, request the permit online through the Thai FDA’s traveler permit website (https://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/).

You will receive the permit (Form IC-2) by email. Apply well before you depart, and keep a copy of the permit with you. A comprehensive medical letter naming Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is still worth carrying to present to customs along with the permit.^[1]

What your medical letter should include

Ask your prescriber to list the brand name (Vyvanse), the INN (lisdexamfetamine), your dose and instructions for use, your diagnosis, and their registration number, signed on clinic letterhead. This document supports your permit application and is also useful if you need to see a Thai clinician.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment well in advance of departure.

Can you provide a signed letter or prescription naming Vyvanse, the INN lisdexamfetamine, my dose and instructions for use, and your registration number, for the Thai FDA permit application?
How many days of supply do I need for my trip, keeping in mind the 90-day limit?
If my trip extends, what is the process for obtaining a remote consultation or extended documentation to support a local prescription in Thailand?
Is methylphenidate a clinically suitable backup if my supply is lost or delayed, and what should a Thai psychiatrist know about my history?
Are there non-stimulant options such as atomoxetine that may be appropriate as a bridge during my trip?
What should I do if I experience a significant symptom change and cannot access a psychiatrist quickly in Thailand?

How much Vyvanse to bring

You can bring up to 90 days of usage for personal treatment. Bring only what you need for your trip, up to that limit, and carry it with your Form IC-2 permit, your prescription or medical letter, and your passport. If you will stay longer than 90 days, speak to a Thai doctor about continuing treatment locally.

Airport: Customs and security

Thailand uses a red channel (goods to declare) and green channel (nothing to declare) system at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and other international airports. Carry your Form IC-2 permit, prescription or medical letter, and passport in your hand luggage, with the medication in its original packaging, so you can present them if asked.^[5]

Arriving without a valid permit risks the medication being seized and legal consequences. Do not travel to Thailand with Vyvanse unless you have received your Form IC-2.^[6]

Vyvanse availability in Thailand

Vyvanse vs sibling brands in Thailand

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in Thailand
Vyvanse	ADHD (adults and children)	Oral capsule (prodrug of dextroamphetamine)	Category 2 narcotic. Allowed for personal import with a Form IC-2 permit (up to 90 days). Not expected to be stocked locally.
Elvanse	ADHD (adults and children)	Oral capsule (same active ingredient as Vyvanse, different commercial name used in Europe)	Same active ingredient and same Category 2 status as Vyvanse; permit required
Ritalin / Concerta (methylphenidate)	ADHD; narcolepsy	Oral tablet / extended-release tablet	Available, hospital pharmacies only, requires Thai psychiatrist prescription; 30-day import limit for travellers, import permit needed if exceeding 30 days
Strattera (atomoxetine)	ADHD	Oral capsule (non-stimulant)	Available at select licensed pharmacies with prescription; not a controlled substance under Thai law

Vyvanse and Elvanse share lisdexamfetamine as their active ingredient and carry the same legal status in Thailand: Category 2 narcotic, importable by travellers with a permit.^[4] Because Vyvanse is unlikely to be available locally, the permit route is the practical way to keep your treatment going.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is dispensed at hospital pharmacies attached to a psychiatry department and can serve as a backup if your supply is lost. Refer to our methylphenidate in Thailand guide to know more about prescribing pathways. Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant alternative that is not scheduled under Thai law and is available at some licensed pharmacies with a prescription.^[3]

A consultation with a Thai psychiatrist at a private hospital such as Bumrungrad International (Bangkok), Bangkok Hospital, or Samitivej costs approximately ฿1,500–฿3,000 (~$43–$86 / ~€40–€78). Methylphenidate at a hospital pharmacy typically costs ฿800–฿2,000 (~$23–$57 / ~€21–€52) per month's supply, depending on the formulation and hospital.

Pharmacy phrases, Thai

“ฉันมียา lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) พร้อมใบอนุญาตนำเข้า (Form IC-2)”

I have lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) with an import permit (Form IC-2).

“ฉันกำลังมองหายา Vyvanse หรือ Elvanse, คุณมีไหม?”

I am looking for Vyvanse or Elvanse, do you have it?

“ฉันต้องการพบจิตแพทย์เพื่อขอใบสั่งยา methylphenidate”

I need to see a psychiatrist to get a prescription for methylphenidate.

“ฉันมียา lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) ที่ประเทศบ้านเกิด, คุณช่วยแนะนำทางเลือกที่ใกล้เคียงที่สุดในไทยได้ไหม?”

I take lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) at home, can you advise on the closest legal alternative available in Thailand?

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Switching to a different medication in Thailand

Vyvanse and Elvanse share the same active ingredient, so switching between them makes no difference. If you need a backup or run out, the option for a stimulant is methylphenidate, which requires a clinical assessment by a licensed Thai psychiatrist before a hospital pharmacy will dispense it.

Methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are different drug classes with different receptor profiles and dosing conventions. A switch is not a simple one-to-one substitution, it requires professional clinical oversight. Discuss any potential switch thoroughly with your home prescriber before you travel, so a Thai psychiatrist has a clear clinical picture to work from.

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant option that does not require a hospital pharmacy and is available at some licensed Thai pharmacies with a standard prescription. It is not interchangeable with a stimulant in terms of mechanism, but your prescriber can advise whether it suits your clinical situation as a bridge during your stay.

What to do if you need ADHD medication urgently in Thailand

If you run out of or lose your medication, go to the psychiatry outpatient department of a private hospital: Bumrungrad International (Bangkok, +66 2 066 8888), Bangkok Hospital (+66 2 310 3000), or Samitivej Hospital (+66 2 022 2222). Bring your medical letter, a copy of your Form IC-2 permit, your diagnosis, your Vyvanse dose, and your home prescriber’s details.^[3]

A Thai psychiatrist can assess and, if clinically appropriate, prescribe methylphenidate or atomoxetine. Methylphenidate is dispensed only through hospital pharmacies with a psychiatrist prescription, walk-in retail pharmacies cannot fill it. Thailand's general emergency number is 1669 (medical emergency). The tourist police line is 1155.^[3]

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Frequently asked questions

Is Vyvanse legal in Thailand?

Yes, with a permit. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not banned in Thailand. It is classified as a Category 2 narcotic under the Narcotics Code. Travellers under treatment can carry up to 90 days of usage for personal treatment, provided they obtain a Form IC-2 permit from the Thai FDA in advance by submitting a copy of their passport and a signed prescription or medical document.

Is Vyvanse available in Thailand?

Vyvanse is not generally available through Thai pharmacies, so travellers should bring their own permitted supply (up to 90 days). It is a Category 2 narcotic, and import requires a Form IC-2 permit. Its sibling brand Elvanse has the same status.

How do I get a permit to bring Vyvanse into Thailand?

Submit a copy of your passport and a signed prescription or medical document (naming the medication and instructions for use) through the Thai FDA’s traveler permit website. You will receive the permit (Form IC-2) by email. The quantity cannot exceed 90 days of usage.

What is the difference between Vyvanse and Elvanse in Thailand?

Vyvanse and Elvanse share the same active ingredient (lisdexamfetamine) and differ only in their commercial name. Vyvanse is the brand used in North America and some other markets, while Elvanse is the name used in Europe and some Asian markets. In Thailand, both carry the same legal status: Category 2 narcotic, permitted for personal import with a Form IC-2 permit.

Can I switch from Vyvanse to Ritalin or Concerta in Thailand if Vyvanse isn't available?

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is legally available in Thailand at hospital pharmacies, but it is a different drug class from lisdexamfetamine, not a direct substitute. A licensed Thai psychiatrist must conduct a clinical assessment before prescribing it. Discuss this possibility with your home prescriber before you travel so the Thai clinician has a clear clinical picture. Bring a medical letter with your full medication history.

What happens if I bring Vyvanse to Thailand without a permit?

Carrying a Category 2 narcotic into Thailand without a permit is not allowed and can lead to seizure of the medication and legal consequences. A foreign prescription alone does not replace the Thai FDA permit. If you are in this situation, contact your country’s embassy or consulate and seek legal advice.

Is atomoxetine (Strattera) available in Thailand as an alternative to Vyvanse?

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is not a controlled substance under Thai law and is available at some licensed pharmacies in Thailand with a standard prescription. It has a different mechanism from lisdexamfetamine and is not interchangeable without clinical assessment. Ask your home prescriber whether atomoxetine is appropriate for your situation before you travel, as obtaining a local prescription still requires seeing a doctor in Thailand.

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 (Lisdexamfetamine) in Thailand: Narcotics Category 2, Permit Requirements and Alternatives