Is Memantine legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- Memantine is a prescription-only medicine (POM), not a controlled drug: it is licensed by the MHRA under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and does not appear on any schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or its Regulations 2001.
- Consequences if caught
- Because memantine is not a narcotic or psychotropic, possession attracts no controlled-drug penalty; unauthorised sale or supply of a POM is a medicines-law offence, not a Misuse of Drugs Act trafficking offence.
- If prescribed or medical
- Prescribed for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease; dispensed only against a prescriber's order as a POM.
- Documentation
- Memantine hydrochloride is marketed as Ebixa and numerous generics on the MHRA products register; travellers carry it lawfully with a prescription or dispensing label.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United Kingdom’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →