How to travel abroad safely with prescription medications

If you regularly take prescription medications for back pain, ADHD, insomnia, anxiety, and a range of other conditions, you probably don’t think twice about packing them into your luggage when you travel. In the U.S., the most common issue people face when traveling with prescription medications is lost or forgotten medications. However, when traveling internationally, additional—and sometimes more significant—risks can arise. These may include restrictions on certain medications, differing regulations across countries, and potential complications at customs or border control.

Even if you have a prescription, your medication is legal in the U.S., and you are traveling with only enough medication for personal use, you may not be able to bring your prescription and over-the-counter medications into some foreign countries. For example:

• In Japan, it is illegal to bring the stimulant-based ADHD medications Adderall and Ritalin into the country. Other non-stimulant ADHD medications, including Strattera, are permitted. You are also not permitted to bring over-the-counter products that contain the decongestant pseudoephedrine into the country. The amount of diphenhydramine, which is the active ingredient in Benadryl as well as over-the-counter nighttime pain medications like Tylenol PM and sleep aids such as ZZZQuil and Unisom, that you can bring into Japan is also limited. Dextromethorphan, which is in many cough suppressants, is also not permitted in Japan.
• In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), only a three-month supply of any narcotic is permitted, the medication must be in its original packaging, and you must have a letter from your physician or a paper copy of your current prescription. In addition, travelers bringing narcotic or psychotropic medications into the UAE are required to obtain prior approval from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.
• In some countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Singapore, the anti-anxiety medications Xanax, Ativan, and Buspar are illegal or are highly regulated and require prior approval.
• Some countries restrict the importation of medical devices, such as syringes and CPAP machines.
• Some countries restrict the importation of birth control pills and devices, as well as medications for gender transition.
• Even supplements can present a problem in some countries. Some countries’ biosecurity regulations can impact whether you can bring certain protein powders into the country. Melatonin is not permitted in Taiwan and it requires a prescription in the EU, UK, Australia, and Canada.

You can check whether medications that contain controlled substances are permitted on the International Narcotics Control Board’s website. Your health advisor can also help you determine which prescription and over-the-counter medications you can legally travel abroad with. It’s also important to note that regulations change frequently, so a medication that was permitted on your trip five years ago may no longer be permitted, even in some states in the U.S.

Before you travel, take these steps

Your primary care physician—and even a travel‑medicine specialist—may not be fully versed in the most current international laws and restrictions governing prescription medications. However, they can often help determine whether your specific medications are permissible to bring abroad and identify any documentation you may need. Your health advisor can also research the issue and help you plan how to safely travel with the medications you need or how to connect with a physician at your destination to get your prescriptions filled locally.

Well before your trip, take these steps:

• Make an appointment with your healthcare provider—or a travel health specialist—at least four to six weeks before your departure: This allows adequate time to receive destination specific vaccines, obtain necessary medications, and review any health considerations relevant to your itinerary. Discussing your medical history, travel plans, and anticipated activities enables your physician to offer tailored guidance and evidence based recommendations.

• Contact the embassy: It can be helpful to contact the embassies of the U.S. in the countries you plan to visit and ask for their guidance on bringing medications and medical equipment with you.
• Keep medications in original packaging: All prescription medications, over the counter products, vitamins and supplements, and medical supplies such as needles or syringes should remain in their original, clearly labeled packaging. The name on each prescription container must match the name on your passport. If you have recently changed your name—for example, after marriage or divorce, make sure your prescriptions are refilled under your current legal name before traveling internationally.
• Carry supporting documentation: Pack copies of your prescriptions in your carryon bag, along with a physician’s letter on official letterhead detailing the medications you take and the conditions they treat. When possible, bring translated versions of this letter in the languages of the countries you will visit to facilitate communication with customs officials. Documentation should list the generic and chemical names of all medications, because brand names vary widely across countries. It is also wise to make a medication list that includes the reason for the medication and dosages and give it to your travel companions so they can share it with a physician if there is an emergency and you cannot speak for yourself. Your PinnacleCare secure electronic health record is another resource for this information in an emergency.
• Consider changing medications: If a medication you take is illegal or heavily regulated in the country you’re traveling to, talk with your physician about finding a substitute that is permitted in that country. If you’ll be staying for more than 90 days (the usual medication supply that most countries allow), it may be wise to find a qualified physician at your destination who can manage your medication and refill prescriptions. That can be especially important for students who are studying abroad and will need the medication for six months to a year.
• Have a backup plan in case your medication is confiscated: Having your original prescription and a letter from your physician explaining your condition and the medications you take to manage it can help a local healthcare provider at your destination prescribe replacement medications if yours are confiscated by customs or lost in transit. Your health advisor can connect you with an experienced physician at your destination who can help you get the medications you need.

Connect with PinnacleCare

For more information about how PinnacleCare’s Health Advisors could assist you with traveling safely with prescription medications, connect with us today.

Article was recently updated on August 10, 2026

Top 3 FAQs: Traveling Safely with Prescription Medications Overseas

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