Key Takeaways
What this article is about
This article is about methylphenidate 36 mg and how to continue taking it safely and legally when living in the Netherlands, especially for people already treated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) elsewhere.
Why a Dutch prescription matters
Methylphenidate is a prescription-only stimulant medicine. In the Netherlands, it is normally prescribed and monitored by a Dutch general practitioner or specialist, and pharmacies are expected to dispense it only on the basis of a valid local prescription.
Foreign prescriptions and their limits
Prescriptions written in another European Union country can sometimes be formatted specifically for use abroad, but prescriptions issued outside the European Union, such as from Mexico, generally cannot be used directly at Dutch pharmacies to obtain controlled stimulant medicines.
Finding a doctor and a pharmacy
New residents are encouraged to register with a nearby general practice and to choose a local pharmacy. After a consultation, the doctor can decide whether to continue methylphenidate and send the prescription electronically to the pharmacy of choice.
Costs, insurance and availability
Methylphenidate, including prolonged-release 36 mg tablets, is widely available in the Netherlands. Public price portals and insurance rules indicate that these medicines are often reimbursed, but actual out-of-pocket costs depend on the health insurer’s policy and agreements with specific pharmacies.
Safety and supervision
Health authorities emphasise that methylphenidate should form part of a broader ADHD treatment plan, used under medical supervision, and never obtained from unregulated online sellers or taken without a prescription.
Story & Details
A treatment that should not be interrupted
Imagine someone already diagnosed with ADHD and stabilised on methylphenidate 36 mg each day. The medicine helps them concentrate at work or university, manage daily tasks and keep impulsive behaviour under control. They know the brand names often used in Europe – long-acting formulations such as Concerta, Medikinet controlled-release and equivalent prolonged-release tablets from generic manufacturers – and they know from experience that missing doses can quickly affect sleep, mood and performance.
Now picture that person moving to the Netherlands. The suitcase holds a supply of tablets and a prescription from their psychiatrist back home, perhaps in Mexico. The questions come quickly. Will it be possible to keep taking the same medicine. Will a foreign prescription be accepted. How does one find a doctor in a town such as Zwanenburg. Is it realistic to arrange everything online, or will there be a long waiting list before the first Dutch prescription is written.
What the medicines authority explains
The Dutch medicines authority, the Medicines Evaluation Board, provides a straightforward answer about the legal position. Methylphenidate is available in the Netherlands only on prescription. That prescription has to be written by a Dutch doctor, usually a general practitioner who knows the patient or a specialist working in mental-health care. Pharmacies expect to receive an electronic prescription from such a prescriber and will not normally dispense methylphenidate on the basis of a document from outside the national system.
The same authority points people to public information on how to choose and register with a general practitioner. These resources explain that every resident is expected to have a regular doctor, who keeps track of their health over time and acts as a gateway to other services. Once a general practitioner decides that methylphenidate is appropriate, they can enter the prescription into an electronic system and send it directly to the pharmacy that the patient nominates.
Behind these practical details sits a broader role. The Medicines Evaluation Board grants marketing authorisations for medicines through the national procedure and monitors their safety once on the market. Its public materials make clear that safe use is just as important as initial approval, especially for medicines like stimulants that act on the central nervous system.
Why a foreign prescription is not enough
The question about whether a Mexican prescription could be used in the Netherlands highlights the way international rules work. Within the European Union, a prescription written in one member state can, under certain conditions, be recognised in another. Doctors can issue a specific form of prescription intended for use abroad, called a cross-border prescription, and pharmacies in other member states can often accept it if all the required information is present and the medicine is authorised locally.
This framework, however, is designed for prescriptions that move within the European Union and the wider European Economic Area. It does not extend automatically to prescriptions written in countries outside that area. A Dutch pharmacy asked to dispense controlled stimulant medication on the basis of a prescription from Mexico, or from many other non-European nations, would be operating outside that framework and would usually decline to do so.
For people who arrive with a supply of methylphenidate and a foreign prescription, this means that the safe route is to treat the foreign document as medical history rather than as a ticket to new refills. It can be shown to the Dutch doctor as evidence of previous treatment and dose, but it does not replace the need for a local consultation and a fresh prescription.
Travelling with existing medication
Another aspect of the journey concerns the tablets already in the suitcase. Dutch government information on travelling with medicines explains that most medicines can be brought into the country for personal use if the traveller can show that they are needed. However, medicines that fall under narcotics legislation, including certain ADHD treatments, require additional documentation. Travellers may need certificates based on international agreements, and they are often advised to carry medicines in original packaging, alongside a statement from the prescribing doctor.
These rules are not meant to make life difficult for patients but to manage the risks associated with substances that can be abused. For someone depending on methylphenidate 36 mg, they underline the importance of planning ahead, checking the rules before travel and making sure that supplies do not run out before a new doctor has been found.
How to find a doctor
Finding a new general practitioner can feel daunting, but Dutch information sites for residents and newcomers break the task into manageable steps. They explain that each practice has a defined catchment area and that people usually register with a practice close to where they live. Many practices now publish their registration policies online, including whether they are open to new patients, what information is required and how to request an introductory conversation.
These introductions are more than administrative formalities. They give patients a chance to describe their medical history, current medicines and expectations, and they give the doctor a chance to explain how the practice works. A person already using methylphenidate 36 mg can bring written summaries from their previous doctor, details of dose and schedule, and if possible, diagnostic reports confirming ADHD. This helps the new doctor evaluate whether to continue the same treatment, adjust it or refer to a psychiatrist for more detailed assessment.
For someone living in a town like Zwanenburg, regional and municipal health pages list nearby practices and provide contact details. In many parts of the country there are also online general-practice services that offer video consultations and digital intake, which can be useful when local practices are full or when someone prefers to start the process remotely.
Choosing a local pharmacy
Once registered with a general practitioner, the next step is to choose a pharmacy. In Dutch neighbourhoods, pharmacies are often found close to general practices or in small shopping areas near residential districts. Patients can tell their doctor which pharmacy they would like to use, and this preference is then recorded in their file so that prescriptions can be sent to the right place automatically.
Methylphenidate 36 mg, including long-acting formulations, is widely stocked by community pharmacies in the Netherlands. If a particular brand is not available on a given day, the pharmacy can often offer an equivalent generic product with the same active substance, strength and release characteristics. Pharmacists are also in a position to explain how the tablets should be taken, what side effects to watch for and what to do if a dose is missed.
Costs, insurance and availability
The cost of methylphenidate in the Netherlands is shaped by a mixture of national price regulation and agreements between health insurers and pharmacies. Public price portals list the official prices of different strengths and formulations, including prolonged-release 36 mg tablets, and indicate which of them fall within standard reimbursement schemes.
In practice, this means that many people with basic Dutch health insurance pay little or nothing extra for their ADHD medicine beyond any general deductible that applies to all prescription drugs. However, details vary between insurers, and sometimes between pharmacies that have different contracts. It is therefore wise to ask the pharmacy or the insurer directly how methylphenidate will be reimbursed and whether specific brands are preferred.
Safety, supervision and the wider debate
The story of a single patient trying to stay on treatment is part of a larger picture. European and Dutch health bodies have reviewed methylphenidate and similar stimulants and have concluded that, when used correctly, they can bring clear benefits for people with ADHD. At the same time, they stress that treatment should be embedded in a broader programme that may include psychological support, behavioural strategies and educational adjustments.
Public-health agencies have warned about the risks of taking methylphenidate without medical supervision, whether to stay awake longer, to cram for exams or simply out of curiosity. Side effects can include palpitations, rises in blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite and changes in mood. There is also concern about the impact on people with underlying heart conditions or psychiatric vulnerabilities. By keeping prescribing within the framework of regular care, with check-ups and clear agreements between doctor, patient and pharmacy, the Dutch system aims to make sure that the benefits of methylphenidate are realised while the risks are monitored.
Conclusions
A clear route forward
For someone already using methylphenidate 36 mg who is moving to the Netherlands, the practical route is now easier to see. The foreign prescription and treatment history are valuable as background information, but the key step is to register with a Dutch general practitioner, share that history in an honest and detailed way and agree on a plan for continued ADHD care. If the doctor decides that ongoing methylphenidate treatment is appropriate, a local prescription can be issued and sent electronically to a chosen pharmacy.
Balancing access and caution
This approach does more than follow rules for their own sake. It connects the person to a local healthcare system that can respond when situations change. A general practitioner can adjust the dose, monitor side effects, involve specialists when needed and help with related issues such as sleep, anxiety or study stress. Pharmacies, in turn, help ensure that the right formulation and strength are dispensed consistently. When each part of the system plays its role, a powerful medicine like methylphenidate 36 mg becomes not just a tablet in a box, but one element in a safer, more coherent plan for living with ADHD.
Sources
Official information on medicines and the Dutch regulator
Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB) – English-language overview of how medicines are authorised and monitored in the Netherlands:
https://english.cbg-meb.nl/
Background information on marketing authorisation for human medicines via the national procedure:
https://english.cbg-meb.nl/sections/marketing-authorisation-medicines-for-human-use
Understanding Dutch healthcare and general practice
Thuisarts and its English companion information for patients, explaining how general practice works and how to choose a general practitioner:
https://www.thuisarts.nl/dutch-healthcare/choosing-gp
https://www.thuisarts.nl/dutch-healthcare/planning-introductory-appointment-gp
https://www.thuisarts.nl/dutch-healthcare
https://huisartsenzorgoudeijssel.nl/thuisarts-nl-vertaald-thuisarts-nl-translated/
Rules for medicines, travel and controlled substances
Dutch government information on bringing medication into the country and on certificates required for medicines that fall under narcotics legislation:
https://www.government.nl/topics/medicines/question-and-answer/can-i-take-my-medication-abroad
https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/travel-netherlands/taking-medication-netherlands
https://www.government.nl/topics/travelling-outside-the-netherlands/question-and-answer/what-do-i-need-if-i-take-my-medication-outside-the-netherlands
European rules on prescriptions across borders
European Commission guidance on presenting a prescription in another EU country and on the use of cross-border prescriptions:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/prescription-medicine-abroad/prescriptions/index_en.htm
Clinical and safety information on methylphenidate and ADHD medication
Overview of reports and guidance on methylphenidate use in adults from the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre:
https://www.lareb.nl/knowledge/filepreview?id=44786&p=1422
Article discussing methylphenidate for adults with ADHD and insurance coverage considerations:
https://www.ge-bu.nl/en/artikel/methylfenidaat-voor-adhd-bij-volwassenen-placebo-of-nocebo
Dutch national public-health report on improper use of methylphenidate and associated risks:
https://www.rivm.nl/en/news/improper-use-of-methylphenidate
Educational and practical resources on ADHD
Guidance from an ADHD advocacy organisation on travelling internationally with ADHD medication:
https://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/know-before-you-go-international-travel-with-adhd-medications/
Practical guide from a paediatric hospital on ADHD in school-age children and the role of stimulant medication:
https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/adhd-guide-middle-school.pdf
YouTube educational video
An educational video from Boston Children’s Hospital explaining how stimulant medication, including methylphenidate, is used in ADHD treatment and why careful monitoring is important:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpwtLM7XLOw
Appendix
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
A neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with work, study or relationships. Symptoms can include difficulty sustaining focus, restlessness, acting without thinking and problems with organisation or time management.
Cross-border prescription
A prescription written in one European Union country specifically so that it can be used in another member state. It contains standardised information about the prescriber, the patient and the medicine, making it easier for a pharmacy abroad to dispense the correct product safely.
Dutch general practitioner
A community-based doctor who provides first-line medical care, keeps an overview of the patient’s health history and usually acts as the main prescriber for long-term treatments such as ADHD medication, referring to specialists when needed.
Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board
The national authority responsible for assessing medicines for human and veterinary use, granting marketing authorisations through the national procedure and promoting the safe and effective use of medicines in everyday practice.
Methylphenidate
A central nervous system stimulant commonly used in the treatment of ADHD. It is available in immediate-release and prolonged-release forms, including 36 mg tablets, and is classified as a prescription-only medicine due to its potency and potential side effects.
Prescription-only medicine
A medicine that may be supplied only on the order of an authorised prescriber, such as a doctor, because it requires professional supervision, careful dosing or monitoring for adverse effects and is not considered safe for unsupervised self-medication.
Thuisarts and GPinfo
Public information platforms created and supported by Dutch general-practice organisations, offering accessible explanations about health conditions and about how the healthcare system in the Netherlands works for both residents and newcomers.
Zwanenburg
A town in the Netherlands that here serves as an example of a typical community where residents register with nearby general practices and collect their prescriptions at local pharmacies that operate under national rules for medicines such as methylphenidate.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 