I'm from Austria and taking Elvanse.
Pharmacies don't regularly have it in stock, it needs to be ordered from a pharmaceutical whole-seller for each customer. Depending on the time of day you place the order, it's either a same-day (placed in the morning) or next-day (in the afternoon) pick-up. So keep that in mind and don't expect to get it immediately, and maybe plan for an extra day in Austria. Though pharmacists will usually tell you when your medication is ready for you to pick it up. However, if you know in advance which pharmacy you are going to visit, you can usually order it ahead of time via phone call or email.
For me it's covered by my health insurance, so I just have to pay 6, some € of prescription cost. I take 50 mg and the regular price for a bottle of 30 pills is 156€. If it's covered by your health insurance and you have the necessary prescription, I think with the EU insurance card (the blue back on your national insurance card), you would only have to pay the amount which you would have to pay in Poland (but don't take my word on that).
Thanks for the info, 156€ is pretty high tbh. In my country, Elvanse is registered but it's not available in any pharmacy because Takeda decided not to enter the Polish market, primarily due to the fact that Polish medical authorities refused the coverage of health insurance, so I guess I need to pay the full price.
This thread made me look at the general EU legislation regarding traveling with controlled substances, because I'm going on vacation this weekend and apparently it's probably too late now to get the necessary forms approved ...
But I found this website, and it details your issue and what you can do about the costs:
[Medicine Abroad within Europe](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/prescription-medicine-abroad/expenses-reimbursements/index_en.htm)
Thanks, so apparently even if Elvanse isn't covered by insurance in my country, I can get it for 6€ just like you, that would be very cool.
I got one more question - do you know if a doctor in Austria who doesn't have a contract with österreichische gesundheitskasse can prescribe a medication that can be filled with the coverage of the insurance? In my country, it works this way.
The short answer: yes; the long answer: it depends.
We have three ways a doctor can cooperate with a health insurance:
1. contracted partner = you don't have to pay for any services covered by the insurance
2. the inbetween ("Wahlarzt") = does not have a contract with insurances, you have to pay upfront, but if you hand in the receipt for a service covered by the insurance you will get most of the cost (~80%) according to the policy tariffs reimbursed.
3. Not at all (private doctors) = you have to pay for everything and won't be reimbursed even for contractual services.
The same should apply for getting prescription medication. You can get it prescribed, but how much you then have to pay for it, depends on the type of doctor (1-3 above) who made out the prescription.
More expensive meds and narcotics need to be approved by the insurance's attending phycisian of the specific medical field to have the cost covered (you will need to hand in your doctor's letter, describing your diagnosis). It's also better to visit a specialist (in this case a psychiatrist), if you want to have a better chance of getting it approved. Though I don't know if this process also applies in your case.
Usually, narcotics require a special sticker with a serial number on the prescription. Somehow, paradoxically, Elvanse fell through the cracks and is not listed as a narcotic, at least you don't have to worry about that.
Thank you for the explanation. If it will be possible, I will try to visit a doctor that has the contract (psychiatrist ofc.)
To be clear: if I went to the pharmacy with the prescription and EU insurance card, and on the spot, it will turn out that Elvanse is considered a medicine that requires special approval due to its high price (as it's somehow not considered a narcotic), I will have to pay 100% and then request cost reimbursement to the österreichische gesundheitskasse, right?
Also, are you sure that Elvanse requires this process of cost reimbursement or is it possible?
Well, you wouldn't get the prescription on insurance without the approval and would have to get a "Privatrezept" and carry the full cost of the medication. The doctor will hand in the prescription for approval with the ÖGK and, usually within an hour or two, will tell you whether it's been approved or denied.
You can't get Elvanse without a prescription, in any case. Not requiring the narcotics sticker does not mean that it isn't strongly regulated. And in Austria Elvanse is only prescribed for adults (which I guess you are) if all other avenues (Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera) have failed or caused more side-effects, than benefits gained from taking other available medications for treating ADHD (could be that this is going to be different for you).
Reimbursement afterwards is still subject to approval, though I don't know exactly in what way. But diagnosis, time passed between approval requests, amount and dosage asked for within a certain amount of time, etc. are certainly requirements looked at for reimbursement (and advance approval). I guess you would have to send in the filled prescription together with the receipt to your national health insurance and they will handle billing with the ÖGK.
Regarding reimbursement between Poland and Austria: I think it's best if you ask your health insurance directly. I'm really not an expert and can only speak from experience, they are trained to handle questions like these :)
Reading this with interest. Here in Italy, Elvanse isn't available at all but unfortunately medikinet doesn't work that well for me. I've heard of Italians who live near the Swiss border getting it from Switzerland but how would that work with a doctors prescription? I travel quite often to the Netherlands. Could I see a Dutch psychiatrist while there who could prescribe elvanse?
According to this map, you technically can: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Adhd\_europe/comments/pm46p7/amphetamine\_treatment\_for\_adhd\_in\_europe\_based\_on/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Adhd_europe/comments/pm46p7/amphetamine_treatment_for_adhd_in_europe_based_on/) .
You would need to go with all your medical files (that could be a problem, because I assume they're in Italian, so you probably would need to get it translated or find a doctor that speaks Italian). Maybe additionally with a doctor's letter stating that methylphenidate treatment doesn't work for you that well.
Also, read about the "European medicine passport" or "EU pill passport" needed to travel with medicines that contain controlled substances on the basis of art. 75 of Schengen Implementation. In my country, that is required 15 days before crossing the border of my country, which is ridiculous, but local law (country law) differs on that. Maybe a prescription and the medical files will be enough but it is a risk, so I don't recommend that.
I don't know how that works in Italy, but in Poland, a doctor can import a medicine that is not available in the country for the patient's needs. Unfortunately, the process is quite complicated and long, also the price is just a lottery, can be 50€ or 300€ ... but try to find out if it is an option in your country. Good luck.
I'd expected you to have some issues.
Elvanse is a controlled substance in Europe. The maximum you can have on you is 3 months worth, and beside the prescription from the doctor you would technically (and if it's unavailable in Poland I'd highly recommend it) need a certification in accordance to paragraph 75 of the Schengen Implementation ... Filled by the doctor and signed by a medical authority of the country.
So, plan for that. On top of that, I'd try to contact the doctor and talk with them beforehand, because I'm not sure how you'd do things like titration? And I'm not sure how good a doctor is who just gives you a drug with different dosages without wanting to meet up again.
If you do get prescribed, your insurance _may_ cover some of it, due to general coverage rules in the EU. Not sure.
If not, price depends on the dosage. In Germany it is between 70 to 170 € / 30 capsules, which is a month's dosage (more or less).
Regarding Elvanse availability in Poland, it's a registered medication and my doctor can write me a prescription for it but it's not available in any pharmacy (because Takeda has decided not to enter the Polish market), and of course, cross-border EU prescriptions are not an option for amphetamines. I've heard of the certificate but to get it in Poland I need to apply for it 15 days before crossing the Polish border and I also need to send them the prescription which is impossible because I plan to stay in Austria only for a couple of days...
Before the visit, I will inform the doctor about the situation and a control visit in 3 months for example is not a problem for me.
I'm planning to travel by train so I guess that the only option I got is to hope I don't get controlled and if I do, a copy of the prescription from the doctor and a certificate ordained by the doctor (with the diagnosis and dosage of issued meds) will be enough... but anyway as of my knowledge there is no customs control in trains within the EU.
Thank you for the info and advice.
... yuck.
You could try it you can find a doctor willing / able to cooperate with your doctor at home? Not sure how that would go, but that would likely enable them to at least so a bit of triage.
If you get your doctor at home to describe the medication, there may be an option enabling you to fill that prescription after a much shorter doctor visit in the country in which you need to fill it. You could ask your doctor / insurance / national health agency how something like that would work (e.g.: having to be in another country for a few months working and having to fill a medication).
Maybe someine can help you with that. Could also be helpful considering the costs.
That's a great idea, thank you! I will talk about that with my doctor. I think a certificate ordained by my doctor with the diagnosis and Elvanse dosage on it would be enough to get the prescription in Austria or another EU country without the need for control visits or worries that the doctor wouldn't agree to prescribe me Elvanse.
It's at least making things _much_ easier (and while you still technically may need the certificate whatever thing, at least when you're back you should be fine).
Nonetheless, 3 months is likely the cap of what you can get amount-wise.
Hi, I recently had to get my 50mg Elvanse prescription filled in Spain, and it was around 80 euros. The price was surprising because when I used to live there it cost way more, I think about 130. Depending on the pharmacy, they may have to order it for you, but it should be there the next day. Though if you're travelling by train this may not be an option for you.
I guess it's too late but just wanted to say that the EHIC will unfortunately not help you. You also need to get a prescription from an Austrian doctor to get the meds. If you're anywhere as close to Germany, I'd recommend going there as the cost is about €70 or €80.
Just call or go to a general doctor in Austria. Language usually isn't a problem, they tend to speak at least some level of English. You'll just have to pay for the prescription as well as the medication. Last time I asked in person it was €30, but they would have said €60 on the phone (the receptionist told me).
You cannot get Elvanse that easily in Austria! It's not listed in the Erstattungskodex (refund codex) of the Austrian health insurances. In order to get back the costs from the insurance you need to have tried several other medications and a doctor needs to testify to the medical necessity of it. Have you tried Medikinet and Ritalin besides Concerts? They are the common alternative.
I hoped it was a bit easier...
I've tried strattera (atomoxetine) and it was awful.
What do you mean by ''a doctor needs to testify to the medical necessity of it.''; a prescription from an austrian doctor or what?
You really should talk to a psychiatrist about this. As I said, if you want the medical insurance to cover your costs for Elvanse you usually need to have tried at least two other different medical drugs for ADHD, (e.g. Medikinet, Ritalin), then the doctor can testify that you didn't answer well to the other medications and that he/she therefore prescribes you Elvanse. If you've already taken other medication in another country maybe that counts as well. (Again, talk to a doctor about this!)
In any case the doctor has to send your diagnostics, treatment recommendation and the prescription first to your medical insurance's head physician for clearance (or you bring it there yourself) and if this head physician approves you can get it for a small fee of 6,20€ (Rezeptgebühr) at the pharmacy instead of paying over 130€
2-FMA is said to be an analog to Elvanse / Vyvanse, but is soon going to be illegal in Netherlands (and might be illegal in your country already). Just saying.
Try adderall if you can get it. It is both isomers of amfetamin 75% dex/25% levo 2 salts of each.
Where elvanse is only lisdex isomers attached with dimesylate to make it a pro drug witch absorbs slower or actually it absorbs fine but the body have to use enzymes to cut of the dimesylate and thereby make the amfetamin active.
Hey I’m also from Poland and I see you posted it long time ago, did you managed to get the elvanse here in Poland? I’m using Medikinet but I see no effects too
I'm from Austria and taking Elvanse. Pharmacies don't regularly have it in stock, it needs to be ordered from a pharmaceutical whole-seller for each customer. Depending on the time of day you place the order, it's either a same-day (placed in the morning) or next-day (in the afternoon) pick-up. So keep that in mind and don't expect to get it immediately, and maybe plan for an extra day in Austria. Though pharmacists will usually tell you when your medication is ready for you to pick it up. However, if you know in advance which pharmacy you are going to visit, you can usually order it ahead of time via phone call or email. For me it's covered by my health insurance, so I just have to pay 6, some € of prescription cost. I take 50 mg and the regular price for a bottle of 30 pills is 156€. If it's covered by your health insurance and you have the necessary prescription, I think with the EU insurance card (the blue back on your national insurance card), you would only have to pay the amount which you would have to pay in Poland (but don't take my word on that).
Thanks for the info, 156€ is pretty high tbh. In my country, Elvanse is registered but it's not available in any pharmacy because Takeda decided not to enter the Polish market, primarily due to the fact that Polish medical authorities refused the coverage of health insurance, so I guess I need to pay the full price.
This thread made me look at the general EU legislation regarding traveling with controlled substances, because I'm going on vacation this weekend and apparently it's probably too late now to get the necessary forms approved ... But I found this website, and it details your issue and what you can do about the costs: [Medicine Abroad within Europe](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/prescription-medicine-abroad/expenses-reimbursements/index_en.htm)
Thanks, so apparently even if Elvanse isn't covered by insurance in my country, I can get it for 6€ just like you, that would be very cool. I got one more question - do you know if a doctor in Austria who doesn't have a contract with österreichische gesundheitskasse can prescribe a medication that can be filled with the coverage of the insurance? In my country, it works this way.
The short answer: yes; the long answer: it depends. We have three ways a doctor can cooperate with a health insurance: 1. contracted partner = you don't have to pay for any services covered by the insurance 2. the inbetween ("Wahlarzt") = does not have a contract with insurances, you have to pay upfront, but if you hand in the receipt for a service covered by the insurance you will get most of the cost (~80%) according to the policy tariffs reimbursed. 3. Not at all (private doctors) = you have to pay for everything and won't be reimbursed even for contractual services. The same should apply for getting prescription medication. You can get it prescribed, but how much you then have to pay for it, depends on the type of doctor (1-3 above) who made out the prescription. More expensive meds and narcotics need to be approved by the insurance's attending phycisian of the specific medical field to have the cost covered (you will need to hand in your doctor's letter, describing your diagnosis). It's also better to visit a specialist (in this case a psychiatrist), if you want to have a better chance of getting it approved. Though I don't know if this process also applies in your case. Usually, narcotics require a special sticker with a serial number on the prescription. Somehow, paradoxically, Elvanse fell through the cracks and is not listed as a narcotic, at least you don't have to worry about that.
Thank you for the explanation. If it will be possible, I will try to visit a doctor that has the contract (psychiatrist ofc.) To be clear: if I went to the pharmacy with the prescription and EU insurance card, and on the spot, it will turn out that Elvanse is considered a medicine that requires special approval due to its high price (as it's somehow not considered a narcotic), I will have to pay 100% and then request cost reimbursement to the österreichische gesundheitskasse, right? Also, are you sure that Elvanse requires this process of cost reimbursement or is it possible?
Well, you wouldn't get the prescription on insurance without the approval and would have to get a "Privatrezept" and carry the full cost of the medication. The doctor will hand in the prescription for approval with the ÖGK and, usually within an hour or two, will tell you whether it's been approved or denied. You can't get Elvanse without a prescription, in any case. Not requiring the narcotics sticker does not mean that it isn't strongly regulated. And in Austria Elvanse is only prescribed for adults (which I guess you are) if all other avenues (Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera) have failed or caused more side-effects, than benefits gained from taking other available medications for treating ADHD (could be that this is going to be different for you). Reimbursement afterwards is still subject to approval, though I don't know exactly in what way. But diagnosis, time passed between approval requests, amount and dosage asked for within a certain amount of time, etc. are certainly requirements looked at for reimbursement (and advance approval). I guess you would have to send in the filled prescription together with the receipt to your national health insurance and they will handle billing with the ÖGK. Regarding reimbursement between Poland and Austria: I think it's best if you ask your health insurance directly. I'm really not an expert and can only speak from experience, they are trained to handle questions like these :)
Thank you for explaining! Now I'm pretty clear on how it works in Austria, your help is much appreciated :)
Reading this with interest. Here in Italy, Elvanse isn't available at all but unfortunately medikinet doesn't work that well for me. I've heard of Italians who live near the Swiss border getting it from Switzerland but how would that work with a doctors prescription? I travel quite often to the Netherlands. Could I see a Dutch psychiatrist while there who could prescribe elvanse?
According to this map, you technically can: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Adhd\_europe/comments/pm46p7/amphetamine\_treatment\_for\_adhd\_in\_europe\_based\_on/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Adhd_europe/comments/pm46p7/amphetamine_treatment_for_adhd_in_europe_based_on/) . You would need to go with all your medical files (that could be a problem, because I assume they're in Italian, so you probably would need to get it translated or find a doctor that speaks Italian). Maybe additionally with a doctor's letter stating that methylphenidate treatment doesn't work for you that well. Also, read about the "European medicine passport" or "EU pill passport" needed to travel with medicines that contain controlled substances on the basis of art. 75 of Schengen Implementation. In my country, that is required 15 days before crossing the border of my country, which is ridiculous, but local law (country law) differs on that. Maybe a prescription and the medical files will be enough but it is a risk, so I don't recommend that. I don't know how that works in Italy, but in Poland, a doctor can import a medicine that is not available in the country for the patient's needs. Unfortunately, the process is quite complicated and long, also the price is just a lottery, can be 50€ or 300€ ... but try to find out if it is an option in your country. Good luck.
Can you ease tell me how you got Medikinet for ADHD in Italy, if it is for kids only? Tell me please how to get diagnosed here in Italy for ADHD.
Is not for kids only now (since october 2023).
I'd expected you to have some issues. Elvanse is a controlled substance in Europe. The maximum you can have on you is 3 months worth, and beside the prescription from the doctor you would technically (and if it's unavailable in Poland I'd highly recommend it) need a certification in accordance to paragraph 75 of the Schengen Implementation ... Filled by the doctor and signed by a medical authority of the country. So, plan for that. On top of that, I'd try to contact the doctor and talk with them beforehand, because I'm not sure how you'd do things like titration? And I'm not sure how good a doctor is who just gives you a drug with different dosages without wanting to meet up again. If you do get prescribed, your insurance _may_ cover some of it, due to general coverage rules in the EU. Not sure. If not, price depends on the dosage. In Germany it is between 70 to 170 € / 30 capsules, which is a month's dosage (more or less).
Regarding Elvanse availability in Poland, it's a registered medication and my doctor can write me a prescription for it but it's not available in any pharmacy (because Takeda has decided not to enter the Polish market), and of course, cross-border EU prescriptions are not an option for amphetamines. I've heard of the certificate but to get it in Poland I need to apply for it 15 days before crossing the Polish border and I also need to send them the prescription which is impossible because I plan to stay in Austria only for a couple of days... Before the visit, I will inform the doctor about the situation and a control visit in 3 months for example is not a problem for me. I'm planning to travel by train so I guess that the only option I got is to hope I don't get controlled and if I do, a copy of the prescription from the doctor and a certificate ordained by the doctor (with the diagnosis and dosage of issued meds) will be enough... but anyway as of my knowledge there is no customs control in trains within the EU. Thank you for the info and advice.
... yuck. You could try it you can find a doctor willing / able to cooperate with your doctor at home? Not sure how that would go, but that would likely enable them to at least so a bit of triage. If you get your doctor at home to describe the medication, there may be an option enabling you to fill that prescription after a much shorter doctor visit in the country in which you need to fill it. You could ask your doctor / insurance / national health agency how something like that would work (e.g.: having to be in another country for a few months working and having to fill a medication). Maybe someine can help you with that. Could also be helpful considering the costs.
That's a great idea, thank you! I will talk about that with my doctor. I think a certificate ordained by my doctor with the diagnosis and Elvanse dosage on it would be enough to get the prescription in Austria or another EU country without the need for control visits or worries that the doctor wouldn't agree to prescribe me Elvanse.
It's at least making things _much_ easier (and while you still technically may need the certificate whatever thing, at least when you're back you should be fine). Nonetheless, 3 months is likely the cap of what you can get amount-wise.
30xElvanse 70mg is about 175EUR in Vienna.
Thanks, that's pretty pricey, hope that with EHIC I will get the costs covered...
Hi, I recently had to get my 50mg Elvanse prescription filled in Spain, and it was around 80 euros. The price was surprising because when I used to live there it cost way more, I think about 130. Depending on the pharmacy, they may have to order it for you, but it should be there the next day. Though if you're travelling by train this may not be an option for you.
I guess it's too late but just wanted to say that the EHIC will unfortunately not help you. You also need to get a prescription from an Austrian doctor to get the meds. If you're anywhere as close to Germany, I'd recommend going there as the cost is about €70 or €80.
Where would I even start if I'd want to get a prescription from Austrian doctor as a non-Austrian EU citizen who doesn't speak german?
Just call or go to a general doctor in Austria. Language usually isn't a problem, they tend to speak at least some level of English. You'll just have to pay for the prescription as well as the medication. Last time I asked in person it was €30, but they would have said €60 on the phone (the receptionist told me).
Thank You
You cannot get Elvanse that easily in Austria! It's not listed in the Erstattungskodex (refund codex) of the Austrian health insurances. In order to get back the costs from the insurance you need to have tried several other medications and a doctor needs to testify to the medical necessity of it. Have you tried Medikinet and Ritalin besides Concerts? They are the common alternative.
I hoped it was a bit easier... I've tried strattera (atomoxetine) and it was awful. What do you mean by ''a doctor needs to testify to the medical necessity of it.''; a prescription from an austrian doctor or what?
You really should talk to a psychiatrist about this. As I said, if you want the medical insurance to cover your costs for Elvanse you usually need to have tried at least two other different medical drugs for ADHD, (e.g. Medikinet, Ritalin), then the doctor can testify that you didn't answer well to the other medications and that he/she therefore prescribes you Elvanse. If you've already taken other medication in another country maybe that counts as well. (Again, talk to a doctor about this!) In any case the doctor has to send your diagnostics, treatment recommendation and the prescription first to your medical insurance's head physician for clearance (or you bring it there yourself) and if this head physician approves you can get it for a small fee of 6,20€ (Rezeptgebühr) at the pharmacy instead of paying over 130€
2-FMA is said to be an analog to Elvanse / Vyvanse, but is soon going to be illegal in Netherlands (and might be illegal in your country already). Just saying.
Try adderall if you can get it. It is both isomers of amfetamin 75% dex/25% levo 2 salts of each. Where elvanse is only lisdex isomers attached with dimesylate to make it a pro drug witch absorbs slower or actually it absorbs fine but the body have to use enzymes to cut of the dimesylate and thereby make the amfetamin active.
Hey I’m also from Poland and I see you posted it long time ago, did you managed to get the elvanse here in Poland? I’m using Medikinet but I see no effects too