Is Scopolamine (Devil's Breath) legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- Scopolamine (hyoscine) is a licensed medicine, not a controlled drug: hyoscine hydrobromide and hyoscine butylbromide are MHRA-authorised under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and appear on no schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Scopoderm 1.5mg transdermal motion-sickness patch is a Pharmacy (P) medicine sold under pharmacist supervision, and Kwells hyoscine hydrobromide tablets are available on general sale.
- Consequences if caught
- Because hyoscine is not a narcotic or psychotropic, possession attracts no controlled-drug penalty; unauthorised supply of a P or POM medicine is a medicines-law matter, not a Misuse of Drugs Act trafficking offence.
- If prescribed or medical
- The Scopoderm patch is sold by pharmacists without prescription for motion/travel sickness; injectable hyoscine hydrobromide (anaesthetic premedication, palliative respiratory secretions) is prescription-only, and Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) is a pharmacy antispasmodic.
- Documentation
- Scopoderm 1.5mg / Scopoderm TTS patches are MHRA-licensed for travel/motion sickness in those aged 10 and over; travellers carry them lawfully as an over-the-counter pharmacy product.
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 →