Traveling with Medications to 🇨🇦 Canada
| Medication | Category | Status | Quantity Limit | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Codeine Co-codamol, Tylenol 3, Solpadeine | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for personal use | NO |
Tramadol Ultram, Tramacet, Zydol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for personal use | NO |
Adderall (Amphetamine) Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine | stimulant | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for personal use | NO |
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet | stimulant | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for personal use | NO |
Modafinil Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil | wakefulness-agent | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for personal use | NO |
Testosterone Sustanon, Nebido, AndroGel | hormone-anabolic | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Medical Cannabis Epidiolex, Sativex, Bedrocan | cannabis | RESTRICTED | Up to 30g equivalent for personal medical use | YES |
CBD (Cannabidiol) Charlotte's Web, Epidiolex, Various brands | cannabis-derivative | RESTRICTED | Licensed cannabis products only | NO |
Diazepam Valium, Diastat, Diazemuls | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for personal use | NO |
Melatonin Circadin, Natrol Melatonin, Various OTC brands | sleep-hormone | ALLOWED | Personal use quantity | NO |
Pseudoephedrine Sudafed, Actifed, Clarinase | decongestant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Amoxicillin Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin (with clavulanic acid) | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Azithromycin Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metformin Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Insulin (injectable) Humalog, NovoLog, Lantus | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Atorvastatin Lipitor | lipid-lowering | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Amlodipine Norvasc | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Levothyroxine Synthroid, Eltroxin, Euthyrox | thyroid-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Omeprazole Prilosec, Losec | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Prednisone (Prednisolone) Deltasone, Sterapred | corticosteroid | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir | bronchodilator | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven | anticoagulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, Nurofen | nsaid | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol | analgesic | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Morphine MS Contin, Sevredol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Oxycodone OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Alprazolam Xanax, Niravam | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Lorazepam Ativan | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Sertraline Zoloft, Lustral | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Fluoxetine Prozac, Sarafem | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Betaloc | beta-blocker | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Esomeprazole Nexium | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Detailed Rules
Codeine
WHO: Narcotic (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Codeine is a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Low-dose codeine (8mg or less per dose) was previously OTC in Canada but was made prescription-only nationally in 2016. Travelers should carry prescription documentation.
- —Valid prescription
- —Original packaging
Tramadol
WHO: Not internationally scheduled but controlled in many countries
Tramadol is a Schedule I controlled substance in Canada. Personal use amounts with valid prescription are permitted. Keep medication in original pharmacy packaging.
- —Valid prescription
Adderall (Amphetamine)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedule II)
Adderall is a Schedule I controlled substance in Canada but is available by prescription. US Adderall prescriptions are generally accepted at the border for personal quantities. Keep medication in original labeled container.
- —Valid prescription
- —Original pharmacy label
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule II)
Methylphenidate is a Schedule III controlled substance in Canada. Personal use quantities with a valid prescription are permitted. Carry original packaging and prescription.
- —Valid prescription
- —Original pharmacy packaging
Modafinil
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Modafinil is a Schedule F prescription drug in Canada. It is not on the controlled substances list, making import somewhat simpler. Carry prescription documentation.
- —Valid prescription
Testosterone
WHO: Not scheduled under international conventions but controlled as anabolic steroid in many countries
Testosterone is a Schedule IV controlled substance in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (anabolic steroids schedule). Travelers may import personal quantities with a valid prescription.
- —Valid prescription
- —Original pharmacy packaging
Medical Cannabis
WHO: Schedule I (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Canada permits medical cannabis with proper Health Canada registration. Recreational cannabis is also federally legal in Canada, but importing cannabis from outside Canada is still prohibited regardless of purpose. Medical users registered in Canada can possess; travelers bringing from abroad face seizure.
- —Medical document from licensed practitioner
- —Patient registration with authorized producer
Permit Required
Health Canada
CBD (Cannabidiol)
WHO: Removed from Schedule I in 2020 WHO recommendation; national laws vary widely
CBD is legal in Canada as part of the Cannabis Act framework. Only Health Canada licensed products are lawful. Importing CBD products from outside Canada is technically illegal even though domestic CBD is legal — border rules are strict.
Diazepam
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Diazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance in Canada. Personal use quantities with valid prescription are permitted. Keep in original pharmacy packaging.
- —Valid prescription
- —Original packaging
Melatonin
WHO: Not internationally scheduled
Melatonin is widely available OTC in Canada and classified as a natural health product. Travelers can bring melatonin supplements freely. No prescription or special documentation required.
Pseudoephedrine
WHO: Precursor chemical (listed in Table I of the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic, 1988)
Pseudoephedrine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Amoxicillin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (penicillin antibiotic)
Amoxicillin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Azithromycin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (macrolide antibiotic)
Azithromycin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metformin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (oral antidiabetic)
Metformin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Insulin (injectable)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (hormone)
Insulin (injectable) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Atorvastatin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (statin)
Atorvastatin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Lisinopril
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (ACE inhibitor)
Lisinopril is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Amlodipine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (calcium channel blocker)
Amlodipine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Levothyroxine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (thyroid hormone)
Levothyroxine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Omeprazole
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (PPI)
Omeprazole is OTC.
Prednisone (Prednisolone)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (corticosteroid)
Prednisone (Prednisolone) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (β2-agonist)
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Warfarin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (anticoagulant)
Warfarin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Ibuprofen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (NSAID)
Ibuprofen is OTC in most destinations.
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (analgesic)
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen is OTC in most destinations.
Morphine
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Morphine is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Oxycodone
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Oxycodone is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Alprazolam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, Schedule IV)
Alprazolam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Lorazepam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention 1971 Schedule IV)
Lorazepam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Sertraline
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Sertraline is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Fluoxetine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Fluoxetine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metoprolol
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (beta-blocker)
Metoprolol is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Esomeprazole
WHO: PPI (related to omeprazole)
Esomeprazole is OTC.