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p abroad.</p><p id="dd60">With that said, read on if you want to know which countries you may need to worry about when booking your next holiday.</p><h1 id="5c30">Six countries where anxiety medication is banned or monitored</h1><p id="9450">*I will preface this list by saying there are many types of antidepressant and anxiety medication. In some countries, only some variations are banned. Still, I urge caution and recommend you check the laws in the following countries no matter what type of antidepressant or anxiety-related medication you take.</p><h2 id="eb0e">1. Singapore</h2><p id="14e0">Travelling to Singapore, you need a licence to have anti-anxiety medication with you, as they have strict laws on prescription drugs.</p><h2 id="4eda">2. China</h2><p id="3dc1">For vacations in China, you need an official letter for all prescription medication, not just anxiety medicine. You can obtain this from your doctor, but be aware this is not a legal requirement, and your doctor may charge for this service.</p><h2 id="405b">3. Greece</h2><p id="9754">If you take Diazepam to manage anxiety or panic attacks, be aware that it is a banned substance in Greece. Check the full guidance on the government website, and consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you are worried to see if there are any alternatives you can use.</p><h2 id="bcf7">4. Japan</h2><p id="3957">As with Greece, Diazepam is an illegal substance, even if you have a prescription and doctor's letter. Japan has some of the strictest medicine rules, so make sure to do your research before you go. Even some over-the-counter cold medicines are illegal here and could get you into some serious trouble!</p><h2 id="47fb">5. UAE</h2><p id="44e5">Anti-anxiety medication is banned; however, it will be allowed provided you comply with pre-requisite checks, including filling in a form before travelling and presentin

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g an official doctor’s letter. Check the government website for the extensive list of requirements.</p><h2 id="bfa3">6. Costa Rica</h2><p id="b2ac">You can only take as much as you need for your trip, and you need to have proof of said amount.</p><h1 id="ce05">What could happen if I take my medication to these places</h1><p id="0ff6">If you are caught with medication that is considered illegal while on holiday, which you haven't declared per their laws (where applicable), the consequences could be severe.</p><p id="08cd">Punishment for taking medications, known as “controlled drugs”, to a country unlawfully can result in hefty fines, imprisonment, or in some extreme cases, the death penalty. So yes, it really is that serious.</p><p id="d45c">Don’t believe me? All you need to do is google the punishments for taking illegal prescription drugs abroad (even by accident), and you’ll see news article after news article of cases where an innocent, unsuspecting traveller has taken their medication on holiday with them and ended up behind bars in horrible conditions. It’s enough to send shivers down your spine.</p><h1 id="b67a">Key Takeaway</h1><p id="01d0">When travelling abroad, it is always better to be safe than sorry.</p><p id="32df">This is not an exhaustive list of countries, regulations or medicines, so <b><i>please do your research </i></b>before you go on holiday and make sure you have everything you need to travel legally with your anxiety medication. Make sure you have all your documents in place or have consulted with your doctor where necessary.</p><p id="b6b6">Holidays are made for fun, and you deserve it. So don’t be caught out by surprise laws, do your homework, be prepared, and you’ll have no problem.</p><p id="f2fe">All that's left to do is to pack your bags and jet off on your next wild adventure!</p><p id="820d">Bon Voyage!</p></article></body>

Your Anxiety Medication Could Land You in Legal Trouble Overseas

Always check the rules before going on holiday

I read a news article recently about a man travelling to Dubai being sent to prison for not having the correct documentation for his anxiety medication. I’ll spare you the horrific details of the treatment he had to endure, but it got me thinking, how many other countries have strict rules on medication that we aren’t aware of?

Anxiety and depression medication is a very common prescription, with 17.3% of the U.K adult population thought to be on antidepressants. As such, you would assume there would be no problems when it comes to going on holiday.

Chances are if you clicked on this article, you probably hadn't considered this fact yourself. After all, it’s not something pharmacists tend to tell you. You don’t go to the chemist and hear:

Hi, here's your antidepressants and also make sure you check the laws overseas before you go on holiday incase it could get you in trouble!

According to the Foreign Office, only 19% of people would think to check medication laws when planning a trip abroad.

With that said, read on if you want to know which countries you may need to worry about when booking your next holiday.

Six countries where anxiety medication is banned or monitored

*I will preface this list by saying there are many types of antidepressant and anxiety medication. In some countries, only some variations are banned. Still, I urge caution and recommend you check the laws in the following countries no matter what type of antidepressant or anxiety-related medication you take.

1. Singapore

Travelling to Singapore, you need a licence to have anti-anxiety medication with you, as they have strict laws on prescription drugs.

2. China

For vacations in China, you need an official letter for all prescription medication, not just anxiety medicine. You can obtain this from your doctor, but be aware this is not a legal requirement, and your doctor may charge for this service.

3. Greece

If you take Diazepam to manage anxiety or panic attacks, be aware that it is a banned substance in Greece. Check the full guidance on the government website, and consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you are worried to see if there are any alternatives you can use.

4. Japan

As with Greece, Diazepam is an illegal substance, even if you have a prescription and doctor's letter. Japan has some of the strictest medicine rules, so make sure to do your research before you go. Even some over-the-counter cold medicines are illegal here and could get you into some serious trouble!

5. UAE

Anti-anxiety medication is banned; however, it will be allowed provided you comply with pre-requisite checks, including filling in a form before travelling and presenting an official doctor’s letter. Check the government website for the extensive list of requirements.

6. Costa Rica

You can only take as much as you need for your trip, and you need to have proof of said amount.

What could happen if I take my medication to these places

If you are caught with medication that is considered illegal while on holiday, which you haven't declared per their laws (where applicable), the consequences could be severe.

Punishment for taking medications, known as “controlled drugs”, to a country unlawfully can result in hefty fines, imprisonment, or in some extreme cases, the death penalty. So yes, it really is that serious.

Don’t believe me? All you need to do is google the punishments for taking illegal prescription drugs abroad (even by accident), and you’ll see news article after news article of cases where an innocent, unsuspecting traveller has taken their medication on holiday with them and ended up behind bars in horrible conditions. It’s enough to send shivers down your spine.

Key Takeaway

When travelling abroad, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

This is not an exhaustive list of countries, regulations or medicines, so please do your research before you go on holiday and make sure you have everything you need to travel legally with your anxiety medication. Make sure you have all your documents in place or have consulted with your doctor where necessary.

Holidays are made for fun, and you deserve it. So don’t be caught out by surprise laws, do your homework, be prepared, and you’ll have no problem.

All that's left to do is to pack your bags and jet off on your next wild adventure!

Bon Voyage!