Can you bring prescribed Xanax to Dubai?
The UAE embassy advice says: “Individuals may bring medicine into the country for their personal use. Up to three months' supply of a prescription item can be brought into the country by a visitor and 12 months' supply by a resident if they can produce a doctor's letter or a copy of the original prescription.”
You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.
The amount of medicine that you can bring into UAE:
For regular medicines which aren't on the controlled list, known as prescription-only medicines, you must carry your valid medical prescription and the amount of medicine you carry cannot exceed more than 3 months of treatment.
To import some medicines, you are required to receive permit from Ministry of Health and Prevention. In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a narcotic can be prescribed only by a physician licensed by HAAD for an in-patient and must be written on the approved narcotic prescription form.
Benefits of Taking Xanax Before Flight
Any benzodiazepine can be prescribed to help with flight anxiety, but Xanax is popular because it works quickly and wears off quickly as well. Xanax begins working in about 30 minutes and lasts for four to six hours, covering the flight time of most trips within the country.
As a U.S. citizen, you do not need to declare prescription medication, but the CBP requires you to have the medication in its original containers, or that you travel with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's note on hand.
You could potentially use a longer-acting medication on a long flight, but he still advises against this. “It is better to use something like a short-acting benzodiazepine like Xanax or Ativan,” he said. “These drugs are typically used for anxiety, but can also help with sleep.
Schedule IV Controlled Substances
Examples of Schedule IV substances include: alprazolam (Xanax®), carisoprodol (Soma®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), diazepam (Valium®), lorazepam (Ativan®), midazolam (Versed®), temazepam (Restoril®), and triazolam (Halcion®).
– The use of benzodiazepines (eg. Diazepam) cause longer reaction times, reduced awareness & slowed thinking, which during a flight will put the passenger at significant risk of not being able to act in a manner which could save their life in the event of a safety critical scenario.
- controlled/recreational drugs and narcotic substances.
- pirated content.
- counterfeit currency.
- items used in black magic, witchcraft or sorcery.
- publications and artwork that contradict or challenge Islamic teachings and values.
- gambling tools and machines.
What is the punishment for carrying drugs in Dubai?
According to Schedule 10 of the Narcotics Law, violating the provisions related to Articles 10 and 11 would result in penalties of not less than 7 or 10 years of imprisonment (depending upon the narcotic/psychotropic substances), as well as fines.
Bringing medication into the UAE
You must also carry the prescription for the quantity (max 3 months' supply) of the medicine that you are bringing into the UAE. All other medication (prescription for uncontrolled medication and over the counter medication) does not need prior approval from MoH.
Some common medicines, including sleeping pills, are banned in the UAE, or require a prescription. Although road conditions are of good quality across the country, speeding and reckless driving have given the UAE one of the highest rates of road deaths in the world.
Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Ensure that they are clearly labeled with your full name, health care provider's name, generic and brand name, and exact dosage. Bring copies of all written prescriptions, including the generic names for medicines.
1 The validity of narcotic or controlled and semi-controlled drugs prescription shall be no more than three days from date of issuing the prescription by the respective physician.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has a list of these medications that are not allowed for pilots who hold FAA-issued medical certificates, because the FAA has determined that they have the potential to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft. Xanax is one of these medications.
Alprazolam is a prescription medicine that's used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder. It's in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines and works by lessening abnormal excitement in the brain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved alprazolam in 1981. It's sold under the brand name Xanax.
into Thailand
The import and export of narcotics and/or psychotropic substances into/out of Thailand are general prohibited.
Customs inspectors use giant X-ray machines to search for contraband inside a truck. Customs agencies also use drug-sniffing and bomb-sniffing dogs to stop smugglers. These animals go through an intense training process that teaches them to recognize and locate particular odors in exchange for some play time.
Medically required liquids will be subjected to additional screening. Extra screening often includes opening the container. Medication is allowed in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened.
Do pills have to be labeled in a carry-on?
All passenger items must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process. You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag.
0.125 mg is half of the smallest available Xanax pill (0.25 mg), so that number may have been chosen out of convenience, not necessarily optimal patient outcomes.
These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).
How to Get Xanax Prescribed to You Online. With the development of telehealth, there are several online psychiatry platforms where you can get prescribed medication. Telehealth is a form of telemedicine that allows you to meet your prescriber over the internet; you don't have to meet your doctor in person.
However, OTC antihistamines (i.e., Benadryl/diphenhydramine) have been recommended as a short-term solution for anxiety symptoms. While there is likely not any harm in taking an occasional OTC antihistamine as an over-the-counter Xanax alternative, the sedating side effects are not ideal for regular use.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac®)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro®)
- Citalopram (Celexa®)
- Paroxetine (Paxil®)
- Sertraline (Zoloft®)
Xanax is the well-known brand name for alprazolam . This medication belongs to a class of sedative and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) drugs called benzodiazepines .
- fluvoxamine (Faverin)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
Try a sleep aid
Over-the-counter options include Dramamine (bonus: it will also help if you have motion sickness), melatonin (a hormone that can help with sleep and prevent jet lag), any antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl), and medicines designed for insomnia, like Unisom or ZzzQuil.
- Latch on to triggers that set you off. ...
- Step onto the airplane with knowledge. ...
- Anticipate your anxiety. ...
- Separate fear from danger. ...
- Recognize that common sense makes no sense. ...
- Smooth over things that go bump in the flight. ...
- Educate fellow fliers how to help you. ...
- Value each flight.
Can I bring edibles to Dubai?
CBD capsules, edibles and gummies are also illegal in Dubai. If you are in possession of products containing CBD as an ingredient, you risk a heavy prison sentence.
What is an exact limit of currency you can carry from India to Dubai? As per the Indian customs rules, you cannot export Indian currency. But, there is a limit of Rs 25,000 that you can carry along with you.
In line with international criteria and global best practices, when entering or exiting the UAE, you are required to declare cash, or any other financial instrument exceeding AED 60,000. There is no restriction on the amount of cash that you may carry. The declaration is for monitoring and statistical purposes.
Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty. Possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum three-month prison term or a fine of between AED 20,000 and AED100,000. The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.
Under the New Law, those individuals who provide settings or places for drug consumption will be subject to imprisonment for a minimum of 7 or 10 years based on the drugs facilitated, with a fine not less than AED 100,000.
If you have a criminal record but want to visit Dubai as a tourist, you can do so as long as your term has been completed. To visit Dubai for vacation purposes, you need only prove that the crime was not committed there.
- A copy of the medical prescription with the name of the patient, issued no more than three months ago from the unified electronic platform.
- An authenticated medical report from the health facility in which the patient is treated, within the country.
- A copy of the Emirates ID or passport.
Baby formula, prescription medicines and human remains are exempt. Powder‑like substances purchased in airport duty free shops must be placed in Sealed Tamper Evident Bags along with proof of purchase (receipt).
The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, including for travellers transiting through the country. Penalties for drug trafficking may include the death penalty, or a sentence up to life imprisonment. Penalties for having or using illegal drugs include lengthy jail terms and heavy fines.
The UAE embassy advice says: “Individuals may bring medicine into the country for their personal use. Up to three months' supply of a prescription item can be brought into the country by a visitor and 12 months' supply by a resident if they can produce a doctor's letter or a copy of the original prescription.”
Can you take anxiety medication to Dubai?
You are free to bring any non-prescription, non-controlled medication into Dubai.
Psychotropic prescriptions
In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a psychotropic for an out-patient can be prescribed only by a HAAD-licensed physician.
TSA does not require medications to be in their original, labeled, prescription containers. However, using the original containers may limit delays or additional questioning. This is especially important if you have pain medications or other controlled substances.
Medicines over 100ml, supported by a doctor's note or prescription, are allowed through security. There's no limit for powder or pills. All medicines are subject to additional security screening and must be kept in a transparent, re-sealable bag.
The amount of medicine that you can bring into UAE:
For regular medicines which aren't on the controlled list, known as prescription-only medicines, you must carry your valid medical prescription and the amount of medicine you carry cannot exceed more than 3 months of treatment.
However, narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled drugs/medicines of class A or B are neither freely available in the UAE, nor can they be freely imported into the country. They fall under the controlled/restricted items' category. You may bring in other prescribed medicines for personal use in normal quantity.
- Do Not Use Your Left Hand To Greet Anyone.
- Do Not Indulge In PDA.
- Do Not Dress Inappropriately.
- Do Not Cuss In Public.
- Do Not Take Photographs Without Permission.
- Do Not Carry All Your Medicines.
- Do Not Eat-In Public During Ramadan.
- Do Not Make Rude Hand Gestures While Driving.
You should be able to find out if your prescription medication is controlled or not through your doctor. If you are issued approval to bring your prescription medication into the country, you can bring up to three months' supply as a visitor and 12 months' supply as a resident.
Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Ensure that they are clearly labeled with your full name, health care provider's name, generic and brand name, and exact dosage. Bring copies of all written prescriptions, including the generic names for medicines.
Among banned substances are melatonin, which is taken to ease the effects of jetlag, and codeine, a common ingredient in pain relief medication. Possession may lead to a jail sentence of up to 15 years.
What happens if you test positive for drugs in Dubai?
Penalties for having or using illegal drugs include lengthy jail terms and heavy fines. These laws also apply if you're transiting through the UAE. If illegal drugs are found in blood or urine tests, this is considered possession. It won't matter where or how long ago you consumed the drugs.
Which medications can I take into Dubai? You are free to bring any non-prescription, non-controlled medication into Dubai. This includes medicine such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, travel sickness medication, and Calpol.
Travelling with your medicines
Always carry medicines and medical equipment (needles, syringes and so on) in their original, correctly labelled packages. Carry your medicine in your hand luggage (although check your airline's regulations before travelling) with a copy of your prescription.
Ask your doctor for a letter describing any medical conditions you have and the usual treatments, including specific medications and dosages. Make sure you have enough medication for your journey and carry it in your cabin baggage.
Since your pills will go through the standard x-ray screening process, it is possible that a TSA officer may ask you about them, especially if they are considered controlled substances. Keeping a detailed list of your medications on your smartphone or in a pocketbook is the best way to know exactly what you have.
You must declare each medication to the security officer when you arrive at the airport security checkpoint. Permitted items include: Prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplies, such as saline solution for contact lenses.
When drugs are confiscated in airports, TSA officers usually refer to law enforcement to secure the confiscated substances and store them in a warehouse known as a crime laboratory. Here, the drugs will be tested, organized, and shelved for trials.
