Is Scopolamine (Devil's Breath) legal in Italy?
- Legal status
- Scopolamina (hyoscine) is an authorised prescription medicine, not a controlled substance: it is regulated by AIFA and does not appear in the Tabelle of the Testo Unico sugli stupefacenti (DPR 309/90). The transdermal scopolamine motion-sickness patch (Transcop) is a prescription medicine, and butilbromuro di scopolamina (Buscopan) is an OTC antispasmodic.
- Consequences if caught
- Scopolamina carries no stupefacenti penalty; unauthorised supply of the prescription form is a medicines-regulation matter, not a drug-trafficking offence.
- If prescribed or medical
- The scopolamine transdermal patch is prescribed for motion sickness (and, under Law 648/96, for sialorrhoea in ALS); Buscopan is sold OTC for spasm; injectable scopolamine is used in premedication and palliative care.
- Documentation
- AIFA documents the scopolamine transdermal product (Transcop); Buscopan is an over-the-counter pharmacy antispasmodic.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Italy’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 →