Dexamfetamine in the UAE: EDE Permit and Import Rules

Dexamfetamine is controlled in the UAE but allowed for up to three months with a prescription or medical report. Bring what you need, within that limit.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes. Psychotropic Schedule II on the Emirates Drug Establishment's controlled medicines list, under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021.
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: No confirmed local brand registered in the UAE. Bring your full supply.
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C. Protect from heat and direct sunlight.
Max supply to carry: Quantity for your stay, up to a maximum of three months' use.
Key document: Prescription (issued within 3 months) or attested medical report; the free EDE e-permit is optional for visitors.
Emergency alternative: Contact a private psychiatrist or your embassy for an urgent referral; dexamfetamine cannot be bought locally.

Taking dexamfetamine to the UAE: what you need to know

Dexamfetamine, sold globally as Dexedrine and Zenzedi in North America, Amfexa in the UK and Ireland, and Attentin in Germany, is a Schedule II psychotropic on the UAE's controlled medicines list^[1]. Travellers may bring the quantity needed for their stay, up to three months' supply, with a prescription or attested medical report. No local brand is currently registered for sale in UAE pharmacies, so you must bring your entire supply. The UAE's extreme summer heat (which regularly exceeds 45°C outdoors) adds an additional storage challenge for travellers.

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 the UAE with dexamfetamine

Travellers may bring controlled psychotropic medications into the UAE with a prescription issued within the last three months and a medical report issued within the last year, both stamped by your treating facility. The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) also offers a free pre-travel e-permit, which is optional for visitors and usually issued within one working day^[2]; you apply online with a UAE PASS login. See our ADHD in UAE travel guide for the complete import documentation process.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescriber to renew your prescription and request a medical report confirming your diagnosis and treatment plan: medication name (INN and brand), dose, dosage form, frequency and duration. Both must be stamped by your treating facility.Prescription and medical report
T-14 days
Optional but worthwhile: apply for the free EDE e-permit at ede.gov.ae, logging in with UAE PASS and attaching your prescription and medical report. The EDE says it is usually issued within one working day.EDE e-permit (optional)
Keep your application reference number. If you cannot set up UAE PASS, the EDE says visitors may still travel with their prescription or medical report.
T-7 days
Arrange a certified Arabic translation of your doctor's letter. Some UAE customs officers request bilingual documentation; an English-only letter may cause delays.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents, including any EDE approval, the original prescription, the medical report and any translated letter. Keep medication in original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label visible. Do not transfer tablets to an unmarked container.
T-0 (border)
Declare your medication proactively at the UAE customs declaration desk. Present your prescription, medical report and any EDE permit together. Do not pack controlled medication deep inside checked luggage where it is not immediately accessible.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full legal name, medication name (INN: dexamfetamine; brand: Dexedrine or Amfexa), prescribed dose and frequency, total quantity being carried, diagnosis (condition name only), doctor's signature and professional registration number, and clinic letterhead with contact details. For the UAE, include a certified Arabic translation alongside the English original.

An Arabic translation is strongly recommended but not formally required by all UAE entry points. Notarisation is not required, but the document must carry the original doctor's signature and clinic stamp. A photocopy or screenshot is not acceptable.

How much dexamfetamine to bring

The UAE allows the quantity needed for your stay, up to a maximum of three months' use^[1], for controlled psychotropic medications. Because dexamfetamine is not registered in UAE pharmacies, you cannot obtain a local refill if you run short. Bring the full quantity you need for your entire stay, and if your trip is longer than three months, plan how you will get more before you go.

Split your supply

Carry your primary supply in your hand luggage and place a small backup dose in your checked baggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you retain access to your medication. Keep both portions in original pharmacy packaging with dispensing labels intact.

Packing and storing dexamfetamine for travel

Dexamfetamine tablets should be stored below 25°C and away from direct sunlight and humidity^[4]. Keep tablets in original blister packs or pharmacy bottles; do not transfer to unsealed pouches. During long layovers in hot climates, store your bag in air-conditioned spaces rather than leaving it in a warm vehicle or outdoor lounge.

Airport security with dexamfetamine

Carry your medication in your hand luggage so it remains with you throughout the journey. Dexamfetamine tablets do not require any liquid exemption at security screening. Keep the pharmacy-labelled packaging in a transparent zip-lock bag for ease of inspection. If a security officer asks about the medication, present your prescription, medical report and any EDE permit calmly; do not remove tablets from their original packaging unless specifically instructed.

Customs and medication import rules for the UAE

The UAE controls dexamfetamine under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on narcotics and psychotropics, and its controlled medicines list allows travellers the quantity for their stay or three months' use, whichever is less^[1]. Declare it at the customs desk on arrival and show your prescription or medical report, plus your EDE permit if you applied for one^[2]. Undeclared or undocumented medication can be confiscated and may lead to legal proceedings.

Controlled substance warning

Dexamfetamine is a controlled psychotropic under UAE law. Carrying it without a prescription or attested medical report can lead to confiscation and criminal charges, whatever your country of origin. The free EDE e-permit is optional for visitors, but applying a couple of weeks before travel gives you a UAE document to show customs.

Dexamfetamine availability in the UAE

Brands of dexamfetamine registered in the UAE

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
No registered brand	Not applicable	Not applicable	Dexamfetamine is not registered for sale in UAE pharmacies. Bring your full supply from home.

Dexamfetamine, including the Dexedrine and Amfexa brands, is not registered with the Emirates Drug Establishment for dispensing in UAE pharmacies^[2]. This means no pharmacy in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or any other emirate can legally supply it, even with a valid local prescription. Plan your entire trip supply before departure; there is no in-country fallback.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe dexamfetamine in the UAE

Because dexamfetamine is not registered in the UAE, a local psychiatrist cannot legally prescribe or dispense it. Private hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including American Hospital Dubai and Mediclinic, employ English-speaking psychiatrists who can provide supporting documentation or liaise with your home prescriber. Consultation fees typically range from AED 500 to AED 1,000 (~$136 / ~€125 to ~$272 / ~€250). For a broader overview of the UAE's private healthcare system, see the UAE travel guide.

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Storing dexamfetamine while in the UAE

Dexamfetamine tablets are stable at room temperature, but the manufacturer specifies storage below 25°C in a dry place away from heat^[4]. UAE outdoor temperatures exceed 45°C from June to September, and parked vehicles can reach significantly higher internal temperatures. Store your medication in the coolest part of your hotel room, away from windows, and never leave it in a bag in direct sunlight or in a vehicle. As noted in the UAE hypertension travel guide, the UAE's extreme summer heat creates specific medication storage challenges that apply equally here.

What to do if something goes wrong with your dexamfetamine in the UAE

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately at the nearest station. Keep copies of your prescription, medical report and any EDE permit stored separately (such as in a cloud document or your Nomedic record) so you can present proof of legitimate ownership to authorities.

If you run out of dexamfetamine, contact your embassy or consulate as a first step. Because the medication is not available in UAE pharmacies, there is no in-country dispensing pathway for this controlled substance^[5]. Your embassy can help identify English-speaking psychiatrists who may be able to provide a bridging clinical assessment and liaise with your home prescriber.

“أنا بحاجة إلى دواء دكساميفيتامين | لدي وصفة طبية لهذا الدواء | من فضلك اتصل بطبيب | أين أقرب صيدلية؟”

I need dexamfetamine medication | I have a prescription for this medication | Please call a doctor | Where is the nearest pharmacy?

The UAE emergency number is 999 for police and 998 for ambulance. For non-emergency urgent care, most private hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi operate 24-hour emergency departments with English-speaking staff.

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Frequently asked questions

Is dexamfetamine legal in the UAE?

Yes, with paperwork. Dexamfetamine is a Schedule II psychotropic on the UAE's controlled medicines list, which allows travellers the quantity for their stay or three months' use, whichever is less, with a prescription or attested medical report^[1]. It is not sold in UAE pharmacies, so bring your whole supply. The EDE's free pre-travel e-permit is optional for visitors but worth getting. Never travel with it undocumented, because unlicensed possession of a controlled medicine is a criminal offence.

Can I bring dexamfetamine into the UAE?

Yes. Bring up to three months' supply, or the amount for your stay if shorter, with a prescription issued within the last three months and a medical report, and declare it on arrival. The EDE's pre-travel e-permit is free and optional for visitors^[2], but applying gives you a UAE document to show customs.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with dexamfetamine to the UAE?

The UAE asks for a prescription or a medical report; carrying both is safest. The medical report should include your full name, diagnosis and treatment plan (the INN dexamfetamine and brand name, dose, dosage form and duration), the doctor's name and the date, stamped by your treating facility. An Arabic translation is helpful but not required.

How do I apply for an EDE permit to bring dexamfetamine into the UAE?

Apply online through the Emirates Drug Establishment's personal-use import permit service^[2], logging in with UAE PASS and attaching your prescription and medical report. The service is free and usually takes one working day, but apply a couple of weeks before travel in case you have trouble setting up UAE PASS. For visitors the permit is optional.

Is dexamfetamine available in UAE pharmacies?

No. Dexamfetamine, including the Dexedrine and Amfexa brands, is not registered with the Emirates Drug Establishment and cannot be legally dispensed in UAE pharmacies. You must bring your full supply from your home country.

What if I run out of dexamfetamine while in the UAE?

There is no in-country dispensing pathway for dexamfetamine in the UAE. If you run short, contact your embassy or consulate and a private psychiatrist at a hospital such as American Hospital Dubai. They can provide clinical documentation to support an emergency supply request through your home prescriber.

Is Dexedrine available in the UAE?

Dexedrine, the North American brand name for dexamfetamine, is not registered in the UAE and is not available in local pharmacies. Travellers who take Dexedrine, Amfexa (used in the UK and Ireland), or any other dexamfetamine product must bring their complete supply, with a prescription or medical report covering up to three months.