Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine in the UK: Adderall Import Rules, Legal Status and Access

Adderall is not approved in the UK. Amphetamine is a Class B controlled drug. Bring your full supply with documentation.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, Class B controlled drug under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: No, Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis are not approved in the UK. Dexamfetamine (dextroamphetamine) is available on prescription for specific indications, but it is not a direct substitute and requires a UK specialist to prescribe.
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light
Max supply to carry: Up to 3 months' personal supply permitted with valid documentation. Check with HMRC and Home Office before travel.
Key document: Personal licence from the Home Office (required for stays over 3 months or supply over a 3-month threshold); doctor's letter at minimum for shorter visits
Emergency alternative: Contact a UK psychiatrist urgently, they may prescribe dexamfetamine as a bridging measure, but this requires a face-to-face or telehealth assessment and is not guaranteed.

Travelling to the UK with amphetamine / dextroamphetamine: what changes

Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine, sold in the US and Canada as Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis, is not approved for sale in the United Kingdom^[1]. The active ingredient is a Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which means carrying it into the UK requires specific documentation and, for longer stays, a Home Office personal licence.

This guide covers what documentation you need, how much you can bring, what to do at customs, and your options if your supply runs out while in the UK.

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 the UK with Adderall

The Home Office requires travellers carrying controlled drugs into the UK to hold either a personal licence for supplies intended to last more than 3 months^[2]. For visits of 3 months or less, a detailed doctor's letter is the minimum requirement, though border officers may request to see it.

What your doctor's letter must include

Full name and date of birth. Medication name (INN: amphetamine / dextroamphetamine, plus brand name). Dose, frequency, and total quantity being carried. The condition for which it is prescribed (one word or clinical term). Prescriber's full name, registration number, signature, and clinic letterhead. The letter should be in English; no notarisation or apostille is required for UK entry, but it must be an original signed letter, not a printed screenshot.

The Home Office personal licence application is free and must be submitted at least 10 working days before departure^[2]. No translation is required as long as your supporting prescription documentation is in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.

How much Adderall to bring

Without a personal licence, you may carry up to a 3-month supply of your controlled medication^[2]. Bring at least 20% more than your calculated need to account for delays, lost bags, or an extended stay.

Because Adderall and its equivalents are not available at UK pharmacies, you have no local refill option if you run out. Bringing your full supply is essential.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original pharmacy-labelled packaging with your doctor's letter accessible in your carry-on.

Packing and storing Adderall for travel

Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine tablets should be stored at room temperature, ideally between 20°C and 25°C^[3], and kept away from moisture and direct light. The UK climate is temperate and rarely extreme, so in-flight or hotel storage at room temperature is suitable for most of the year.

Keep medication in its original blister pack or container with the pharmacy label intact. Do not transfer tablets into unlabelled pill organisers for travel.

At the airport and border

Airport security with Adderall

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority and airport security operators permit prescription medication in both hand and checked luggage^[4]. Adderall tablets are solid and not subject to the 100ml liquid rule. Carry your doctor's letter in your hand luggage in case security staff ask to verify what the medication is.

You are not required to declare medication at the security screening checkpoint, but you should keep it readily accessible if screeners request visual inspection. Do not remove it proactively unless asked.

Customs and medication import rules for the UK

Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine is a Schedule 2 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001^[2]. Bringing it into the UK requires either a valid Home Office personal licence (for supplies exceeding 3 months) or a detailed prescribing doctor's letter for shorter visits. UK Border Force officers have the authority to question, search, and detain^[5] anyone carrying controlled substances without appropriate documentation.

Declare your medication at customs if asked. Present your doctor's letter and personal licence (if applicable) immediately. Do not attempt to conceal the medication or describe it as something other than what it is.

Class B controlled drug: serious legal risk without documentation

Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Possession without a valid prescription and appropriate documentation can lead to arrest, seizure of medication, and potential prosecution. Carry your doctor's letter and personal licence (if required) at all times. Do not carry more than your documented supply permits.

While in country

Adderall availability in the UK

Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis have no marketing authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and cannot be dispensed at any UK pharmacy.

Dexamfetamine sulfate is the closest licensed equivalent available in the UK, but it requires a new assessment by a UK consultant psychiatrist. It is not interchangeable with your existing prescription without clinical review.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe amphetamine equivalents in the UK

In the UK, only a consultant psychiatrist or a GP acting under a shared care agreement can initiate a controlled drug prescription. A private psychiatrist appointment typically costs £200 to £350 (~$255 to ~$445) for an initial consultation.

NHS access for non-residents is limited to emergency or urgent care. Elective psychiatry appointments through the NHS are not available to short-stay visitors.

Telehealth platforms operating in the UK, such as those regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), may offer faster appointments, but a prescriber must still comply with UK controlled drug regulations before issuing any prescription. See our UK healthcare guide for more information on providers.

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Storing Adderall while in the UK

Adderall tablets should be stored at controlled room temperature, 20°C to 25°C^[3], away from light and moisture. UK indoor temperatures are rarely extreme, and standard hotel or flat storage is appropriate year-round.

No refrigeration is needed. Keep the medication in its original container, out of direct sunlight, and away from bathroom humidity.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your Adderall in the UK

If your medication is lost or stolen, report the loss to the local police and obtain a crime reference number. Contact your travel insurer and your prescribing doctor immediately, as a replacement supply cannot be dispensed in the UK without a valid local prescription.

If your supply runs out unexpectedly, contact a private psychiatrist as quickly as possible. Explain that you hold a valid prescription from your home country and need an urgent bridging assessment. The psychiatrist may prescribe dexamfetamine as a bridging option, subject to their clinical judgement and UK prescribing law.

Your home-country prescriber cannot fax or email a prescription that UK pharmacies can legally honour for controlled drugs. Only a UK-registered prescriber can issue a valid UK controlled drug prescription.

“”

I take a controlled medication for a neurological condition. I need to see a psychiatrist urgently.

The UK emergency number is 999 for police, ambulance, and fire. For non-emergency medical advice, call NHS 111. If you are visiting from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement, such as an EU state, check your eligibility for NHS treatment before your trip, similar to how EHIC coverage works in countries like Germany (see the Berlin healthcare guide for a comparable European example).

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Frequently asked questions

Is Adderall legal in the UK?

Adderall is not approved for sale in the UK, but possessing it for personal use is permitted if you hold a valid prescription and the appropriate documentation. Amphetamine is a Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971^[1], so carrying it without a doctor's letter or Home Office licence (for stays over 3 months) is a criminal offence.

Can I bring Adderall into the UK?

Yes, you can bring Adderall into the UK for personal use with the right documentation. For visits up to 3 months, a signed doctor's letter is the minimum requirement; for longer stays, a Home Office personal licence is required^[2] and should be applied for at least 10 working days before travel.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with Adderall?

Yes. A doctor's letter on clinic letterhead is the minimum documentation required by UK Border Force for anyone carrying amphetamine / dextroamphetamine. The letter must include your name, the medication's INN and brand, the dose, the quantity, and your prescriber's registration number and signature.

Is Adderall available at UK pharmacies?

No. Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis are not licensed by the MHRA and cannot be dispensed at any UK pharmacy. Dexamfetamine (the closest licensed UK equivalent) is available on prescription from a UK consultant psychiatrist, but requires a new clinical assessment.

What if I run out of Adderall in the UK?

You cannot obtain Adderall at a UK pharmacy. Your only option is to consult a private psychiatrist who may prescribe dexamfetamine as a bridging measure, subject to a clinical assessment. Book the earliest available appointment and bring all documentation from your home prescriber.

Is Adderall XR available in the UK?

Adderall XR is not licensed or available in the UK. Neither Adderall (immediate-release) nor Adderall XR (extended-release) holds a UK marketing authorisation. Bring your full supply from your country of residence.

Do I need a Home Office licence to bring ADHD medication to the UK?

A Home Office personal licence is only required if your supply will last more than 3 months. For trips of 3 months or less, a doctor's letter covering the duration of your visit^[2] is sufficient. Apply for the licence at least 10 working days before you depart if your stay exceeds 3 months.

Related practical guide

10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication

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