Drug Law Travel Map

Sign in Get started

All medication categories

🧠

Psychiatric Medications

Mostly non-controlled (Rx)

Antidepressants & antipsychotics — usually fine with a prescription.

Overview

Most psychiatric medications — SSRIs, SNRIs, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers — are not internationally scheduled and are permitted with a valid prescription. A minority of psychotropics are controlled or restricted in specific countries (notably the UAE, which controls many psychiatric medicines and requires advance approval), so it is still worth verifying before travel.

Sertraline (Zoloft)Fluoxetine (Prozac)Quetiapine (Seroquel)LithiumBupropion (Wellbutrin)

Travel guidance

Carry a prescription and keep medicines in original labeled packaging.
The UAE controls many psychiatric medicines — check the MOHAP list and obtain approval where needed.
Stimulant-like or controlled psychotropics may need an import certificate (e.g. Japan's Yakkan Shoumei).
Bring enough for your trip plus a small buffer; refills abroad can be difficult.

Documentation to carry

Original labeled container
Copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter
Advance approval for any controlled psychotropic where required

Common, costly mistakes

Assuming every psychiatric drug is unrestricted — a few are controlled in Gulf states.
Running out abroad with no way to refill a controlled medicine.

Legal status by country

🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesRestricted 🇦🇺AustraliaPrescription required 🇧🇸BahamasPrescription required 🇨🇦CanadaPrescription required 🇩🇴Dominican RepublicPrescription required 🇫🇷FrancePrescription required 🇩🇪GermanyPrescription required 🇬🇷GreecePrescription required 🇭🇰Hong KongPrescription required 🇮🇳IndiaPrescription required 🇮🇪IrelandPrescription required 🇮🇹ItalyPrescription required 🇯🇲JamaicaPrescription required 🇯🇵JapanPrescription required 🇲🇽MexicoPrescription required 🇳🇱NetherlandsPrescription required 🗽New York CityPrescription required 🇳🇿New ZealandPrescription required 🇵🇹PortugalPrescription required 🇸🇬SingaporePrescription required 🇰🇷South KoreaPrescription required 🇪🇸SpainPrescription required 🇸🇪SwedenPrescription required 🇨🇭SwitzerlandPrescription required 🇹🇭ThailandPrescription required 🇹🇷TurkeyPrescription required 🇬🇧United KingdomPrescription required

Legal status by U.S. state

Federal scheduling applies nationwide; cannabis and CBD vary by state.

AlabamaPrescription required AlaskaPrescription required ArizonaPrescription required ArkansasPrescription required CaliforniaPrescription required ColoradoPrescription required ConnecticutPrescription required DelawarePrescription required FloridaPrescription required GeorgiaPrescription required HawaiiPrescription required IdahoPrescription required IllinoisPrescription required IndianaPrescription required IowaPrescription required KansasPrescription required KentuckyPrescription required LouisianaPrescription required MainePrescription required MarylandPrescription required MassachusettsPrescription required MichiganPrescription required MinnesotaPrescription required MississippiPrescription required MissouriPrescription required MontanaPrescription required NebraskaPrescription required NevadaPrescription required New HampshirePrescription required New JerseyPrescription required New MexicoPrescription required New YorkPrescription required North CarolinaPrescription required North DakotaPrescription required OhioPrescription required OklahomaPrescription required OregonPrescription required PennsylvaniaPrescription required Rhode IslandPrescription required South CarolinaPrescription required South DakotaPrescription required TennesseePrescription required TexasPrescription required UtahPrescription required VermontPrescription required VirginiaPrescription required WashingtonPrescription required West VirginiaPrescription required WisconsinPrescription required WyomingPrescription required

Legal status indicators

LegalMedical onlyPrescription requiredRestrictedIllegalSevere penaltiesVerifyVerify

Official sources

Drug laws change and enforcement varies by port of entry. This is general guidance, not legal advice — always verify with the destination's embassy or health authority before travel.

Traveling with Psychiatric meds?

Run the free Know Before You Go assessment for a destination-specific risk summary and a documentation checklist.

Start your assessment