Is Scopolamine (Devil's Breath) legal in India?
- Legal status
- Scopolamine (hyoscine) is a prescription/pharmacy medicine, not a narcotic: hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan) and hyoscine hydrobromide are CDSCO-approved and dispensed as Schedule H prescription drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945; scopolamine is not listed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
- Consequences if caught
- Hyoscine carries no NDPS penalty; unauthorised sale of a Schedule H medicine without prescription is a Drugs and Cosmetics Act matter, not a narcotics-trafficking offence.
- If prescribed or medical
- Hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan) is dispensed for spasm; hyoscine hydrobromide is used in premedication and clinically.
- Documentation
- Hyoscine/butylbromide products are CDSCO-approved Schedule H medicines; carried lawfully.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with India’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 →
