Traveling with Medications to 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
| Medication | Category | Status | Quantity Limit | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Codeine Co-codamol, Tylenol 3, Solpadeine | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | Personal use, up to 3 months supply with documentation | YES |
Tramadol Ultram, Tramacet, Zydol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | Up to 3 months personal supply | YES |
Adderall (Amphetamine) Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine | stimulant | PROHIBITED | Zero tolerance | NO |
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet | stimulant | RESTRICTED | Up to 3 months supply | YES |
Modafinil Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil | wakefulness-agent | RESTRICTED | Up to 3 months supply | YES |
Testosterone Sustanon, Nebido, AndroGel | hormone-anabolic | RESTRICTED | Up to 3 months supply | YES |
Medical Cannabis Epidiolex, Sativex, Bedrocan | cannabis | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
CBD (Cannabidiol) Charlotte's Web, Epidiolex, Various brands | cannabis-derivative | PROHIBITED | Zero tolerance | NO |
Diazepam Valium, Diastat, Diazemuls | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | Up to 3 months supply | YES |
Melatonin Circadin, Natrol Melatonin, Various OTC brands | sleep-hormone | RESTRICTED | 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 | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | 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 | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Oxycodone OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Alprazolam Xanax, Niravam | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Lorazepam Ativan | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
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 | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Detailed Rules
Codeine
WHO: Narcotic (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Codeine is a Schedule 2 controlled drug in UAE. Travelers have been detained for undocumented codeine-containing products including over-the-counter cold medicines.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter stating medical necessity
- —MOH approval letter
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of Health pre-approval requiredTramadol
WHO: Not internationally scheduled but controlled in many countries
Tramadol is controlled in the UAE. Pre-approval from the Ministry of Health is strongly recommended.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —MOH approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of Health
Adderall (Amphetamine)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedule II)
Amphetamines are classified as narcotic substances in the UAE. Import is illegal regardless of prescription status. Penalties include imprisonment. Contact UAE embassy before travel to discuss alternative medications.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule II)
Methylphenidate is controlled but importable with pre-approval. Apply through the MOH online portal before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —MOH approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of Health
Modafinil
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Controlled substance requiring pre-approval for import.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —MOH approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of Health
Testosterone
WHO: Not scheduled under international conventions but controlled as anabolic steroid in many countries
Anabolic steroids are controlled. Pre-approval required for import.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —MOH approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of Health
Medical Cannabis
WHO: Schedule I (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Medical Cannabis is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
CBD (Cannabidiol)
WHO: Removed from Schedule I in 2020 WHO recommendation; national laws vary widely
All cannabis-derived products including CBD are illegal in the UAE regardless of THC content. Penalties include imprisonment.
Diazepam
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Benzodiazepines are controlled in the UAE. Pre-approval is mandatory. Travelers have been prosecuted for carrying Valium without documentation.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —MOH pre-approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of Health
Melatonin
WHO: Not internationally scheduled
Melatonin is available by prescription in the UAE. Travelers carrying personal supplies should keep original packaging.
- —Packaging showing contents
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)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Azithromycin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (macrolide antibiotic)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —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)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —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)
Rx-only in this market.
- —Prescription
Prednisone (Prednisolone)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (corticosteroid)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (β2-agonist)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —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)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of Health pre-approvalOxycodone
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of HealthAlprazolam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, Schedule IV)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of HealthLorazepam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention 1971 Schedule IV)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
UAE Ministry of HealthSertraline
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —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)
Rx-only in this market.
- —Prescription