Opioid Pain Medication in United States: DEA Rules, Brands

All seven opioids here are DEA-scheduled. Declare them to CBP, keep original labelled containers and carry no more than 50 dosage units.

Quick reference

Drug class: Opioid analgesics, all DEA-scheduled
Controlled substance: Yes. DEA Schedule II: oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, tapentadol, fentanyl and single-ingredient codeine. Schedule IV: tramadol. Codeine combinations vary, check the label.
Prescription required: Yes, for all seven active ingredients.
Available locally: Oxycodone: OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet, Endocet. Hydrocodone: Vicodin, Norco, Lortab, Zohydro ER, Hysingla ER, Vicoprofen. Morphine: MS Contin, Roxanol. Codeine: Tylenol with Codeine. Tramadol: Ultram, ConZip. Tapentadol: Nucynta. Fentanyl: Duragesic, Sublimaze, Actiq, Fentora, Subsys, Abstral.
Storage: Follow the label on each product. Keep in original container, away from heat.
Max supply to carry: 50 dosage units of controlled substances (DEA guidance for visitors).
Key document: Original container with drug name and schedule symbol, plus prescription or doctor's letter, declared to CBP.
Emergency alternative: Ask a local US clinician to decide on any alternative; do not swap active ingredients yourself.

Opioid pain medication options in United States

Active ingredient	Available locally?	Local brand(s)	Controlled status	Prescription required?	Max supply
Oxycodone	Yes	OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet, Endocet	DEA Schedule II	Yes	50 dosage units
Hydrocodone	Yes	Vicodin, Norco, Lortab, Zohydro ER, Hysingla ER, Vicoprofen	DEA Schedule II	Yes	50 dosage units
Morphine	Yes	MS Contin, Roxanol	DEA Schedule II	Yes	50 dosage units
Codeine	Yes	Tylenol with Codeine	DEA Schedule II as a single ingredient; combination products vary, check the label	Yes	50 dosage units
Tramadol	Yes	Ultram, ConZip	DEA Schedule IV	Yes	50 dosage units
Tapentadol	Yes	Nucynta	DEA Schedule II	Yes	50 dosage units
Fentanyl	Yes	Duragesic, Sublimaze, Actiq, Fentora, Subsys, Abstral	DEA Schedule II	Yes	50 dosage units

Opioid pain medication in the United States: what changes when you travel

The United States sells oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin), morphine (MS Contin), codeine, tramadol (Ultram), tapentadol (Nucynta) and fentanyl (Duragesic). Schedules differ within the class. Tramadol is Schedule IV; products with less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit are Schedule III. Meanwhile, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, tapentadol and fentanyl are Schedule II.^[6]

Every one needs a declaration at the border, and a foreign prescription does not exempt you from US law.^[2]

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 United States with opioid pain medication

Every opioid in this class is a DEA-scheduled controlled substance, so one pathway applies to all seven. and the label must show the drug's name and schedule symbol. If the name is absent, the label needs pharmacy or practitioner details and a prescription number.^[2]

What your doctor's letter must include

Your full name, the medication name (INN and brand), dose and frequency, the quantity you carry, the condition name in one word, the doctor's signature and registration number, and clinic letterhead. If you take more than one opioid, list each active ingredient separately.

If you take only tramadol, the DEA traveller guidance still covers you because it applies to controlled substances generally. Tramadol's Schedule IV status does not create a separate import route. Combination products such as Tylenol with Codeine can carry a different schedule, such as Schedule III for products with less than 90 mg per unit. Read the schedule symbol on your label.^[8]^[2]

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment.

If my medication is hard to find in the United States, can you document a backup plan for a clinician there to consider?
Can the label on my container show the generic name, brand name and schedule symbol?
Can you write a letter listing every opioid I take, with INN, dose, frequency and total quantity carried?
How many days of medication can I carry without running short, and what is the plan if my trip is extended?
Should I carry naloxone, and how do I store it for the journey?
How can I reach you or your clinic from the United States if I need to discuss a dose change with a local doctor?

How much opioid pain medication to bring

DEA guidance allows foreign visitors up to 50 dosage units of controlled substances. This is tighter than CBP's rule of thumb of no more than a 90-day supply, which suits non-controlled medicine. US residents returning with medicine obtained abroad face the same 50-unit cap under 21 CFR 1301.26. Check how many units your trip needs before you leave, and book a local prescriber visit for any gap.^[3]

Do not post medication ahead

The personal medical use exemption does not cover controlled substances shipped into the United States from abroad. Carry everything yourself, in hand luggage, in original labelled containers. Checked bags can be lost, and a lost opioid supply cannot be replaced quickly.

Packing and storing opioid pain medication for travel

Follow the storage temperature printed on your pharmacy label, as formulations differ across the class. Extended-release tablets, oral liquids such as morphine solution and fentanyl patches or lozenges may each carry different handling notes. Pill organisers break the original-container rule, so leave your medication in its labelled packs. Use a small lockable bag for the journey and keep it out of heat.

Airport security with opioid pain medication

Tablets and capsules go through screening in your carry-on with your documents on top. You must declare them to the TSA officer at the start of screening. This matters for oral morphine solution. Keep patches and lozenges in their labelled packaging so officers can match them to your letter.^[9] Nomedic's dedicated guide for flying with prescription medication also covers TSA rules in further detail.

Customs and import rules for opioid pain medication in United States

You must declare medication on arrival, as set out in the medication import rules glossary. Keep your letter, prescription copy and original packs together so you can hand them over. Officers decide each case at the booth.^[10]

Controlled substance warning: Schedule II and IV opioids

Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, tapentadol and fentanyl are DEA Schedule II, and tramadol is Schedule IV. Medication that is legal abroad can be confiscated and can lead to severe penalties if it is not approved for use in the United States. State laws may add further rules.

Opioid pain medication availability in United States

Every active ingredient in this class is sold in the United States by prescription only. Oxycodone is sold as OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet and Endocet. Hydrocodone is sold as Vicodin, Norco, Lortab, Zohydro ER, Hysingla ER and Vicoprofen. Morphine is sold as MS Contin and Roxanol. Codeine is sold as Tylenol with Codeine. Tramadol is sold as Ultram and ConZip. Tapentadol is sold as Nucynta. Fentanyl is sold as Duragesic, Sublimaze, Actiq, Fentora, Subsys and Abstral.

Cash prices vary by pharmacy, strength and brand against generic. Phone two pharmacies and ask for the cash price of the generic. Stock of a specific brand or strength is not guaranteed, so call ahead. See also the United States travel guide for general healthcare costs.

Pharmacy phrases, English with Spanish

English is the language of the pharmacy counter. These phrases give the English line with a Spanish version for Spanish-speaking staff.

“Tomo un analgésico opioide. ¿Qué opciones tienen aquí?”

I take an opioid pain medication. What options do you have here?

“¿Hay una versión genérica de este medicamento?”

Is there a generic version of this medication?

“¿Tienen este medicamento en existencia?”

Do you have this medication in stock?

Get these phrases in 23 languages — offline

Nomedic Translate works at the pharmacy counter even without signal.

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe opioid pain medication in United States

Controlled opioid prescriptions come from clinicians registered with the DEA. Start with an urgent care clinic or a primary care physician, and ask for an in-person visit. On top of federal rules, so ask the clinic what it can prescribe to a visitor. Create your IPS on Nomedic first, so the clinician sees your medication name, INN, dose and frequency in one summary.^[3]^[2]

Search for providers near your destination

Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in United States.

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Storing opioid pain medication while in United States

Use the hotel room safe or a lockable bag, and keep medication in its original container. Never leave it in a parked car, where heat can reach damaging levels. Carry a day's dose on your person and keep the rest locked away. Tell your travel companion where your documents are.

What to do if something goes wrong with your opioid pain medication in United States

Report theft. Call 911 if it is urgent, file a police report, and keep the report number.

Photograph your documents. Keep a copy of your letter, prescription and labels apart from the medication.

Contact your prescriber and your consulate. Expect to need a local clinician, as a US pharmacy is unlikely to refill a foreign prescription.

Every active ingredient in this class is sold in the United States, so a local doctor has the full range to consider. The substitution decision belongs to that doctor, never to you. Do not swap one opioid for another on your own.

Dial 911 for an ambulance, police or fire. Go to the nearest emergency department if your pain is uncontrolled or you have withdrawal symptoms. Urgent care clinics handle less severe problems.

Your medication details, ready to share

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

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Frequently asked questions

Is opioid pain medication legal in the United States?

It is legal with a prescription. All seven opioids here are scheduled by the DEA, and you may carry them for personal medical use if you meet the DEA conditions.^[2]

Can I bring opioid pain medication into the United States?

Yes, if you declare it to CBP and carry it in original labelled containers within the personal-use limit. The limit and documents are set out in the supply and documentation sections above.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with opioid pain medication?

CBP advises a valid prescription or a doctor's note written in English. If you lack the original container, a prescription copy or doctor's letter explaining your condition is the fallback.^[1]

Is Palexia or Targin sold in the United States?

Palexia is a tapentadol brand, and the US brand for tapentadol is Nucynta. Targin is not among the US brands for oxycodone, which are OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet and Endocet.

Which opioid pain medications are available in the United States?

All seven are sold by prescription. Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin), morphine (MS Contin), codeine (Tylenol with Codeine), tramadol (Ultram), tapentadol (Nucynta) and fentanyl (Duragesic).

What if my specific opioid brand isn't available in the United States?

A US clinician decides whether any other product suits you. Do not swap active ingredients yourself. Ask your own prescriber for a documented plan before you leave.

What if I run out of opioid pain medication in the United States?

Book an in-person visit with a local clinician and take your letter and labels. Use an emergency department if pain or withdrawal symptoms are severe.

Related practical guide

Opioid Pain Medication Abroad: Strict Countries, Required Paperwork and What to Do When You Run Out

Carrying opioid pain medication across borders is legal in most countries, but the paperwork gap between 'legal' and 'detained at customs' is razor thin.