Can you bring Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Claritin-D) to Thailand?
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D) is a controlled psychotropic in Thailand: bring at most 30 days' worth, and only with a doctor's certificate. You cannot buy it in Thai pharmacies; only a hospital or clinic doctor can supply it.
Bringing it into Thailand
Allowed with a prescription, up to 30 days
As a Category 2 psychotropic, pseudoephedrine can be carried for personal use up to 30 days of prescribed use without a permit, but only with a certificate or prescription from your doctor giving your name and address, condition, the medicine and dose, total quantity, and the doctor's name, address and licence number. Keep it in original packaging. More than 30 days (up to 90) needs a Thai FDA permit applied for at least 15 days ahead. If you bought Sudafed or a 'D' allergy product over the counter at home and have no doctor's certificate, it is safest to leave it behind.
Getting it in Thailand
Hospital or specialist clinic only
Thailand banned pharmacies from selling pseudoephedrine medicines in 2012 because of diversion into methamphetamine production. It is only dispensed by licensed hospitals and clinics after a doctor's consultation, and Thai pharmacies sell other decongestants instead.
- Thai classification
- Psychotropic substance, Category 2 (pseudoephedrine combination products since 2012)
- Last checked
- 13 November 2026
- Source quality
- Medium: official and secondary sources
What to carry
- Original packaging with the label visible
- Prescription or doctor's letter in English, with the generic name and dose
- No more than 30 days' supply
Good to know
- Combination allergy tablets with a 'D' in the name usually contain pseudoephedrine and fall under the same rules.
- Thailand treats pseudoephedrine as a methamphetamine precursor, so unexplained quantities can draw serious attention.
Rules change. Before you travel, confirm with the Thai FDA (permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th) or the Royal Thai Embassy in your country. This page is information, not medical or legal advice.
Sources
- Royal Thai Embassy Manama: guidance for travellers carrying personal medications
- Royal Thai Embassy Stockholm: restricted medicine
- Thai FDA guidance for travellers carrying personal medication (revised version 5, 21 Sep 2024), hosted by Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- MGR Online: pseudoephedrine combination products reclassified as Category 2 psychotropic (Jan 2013, Thai)
- The Nation: pharmacies banned from selling pseudoephedrine-based medicines (Mar 2012)
- HDmall health blog: pseudoephedrine (Thai)