All Current Medications Must Be Disclosed

The immigration medical exam requires a complete medication review. You must disclose all medications you are currently taking — including all psychiatric medications. There are no exceptions for mental health medications. Omitting medications from your list can create serious problems in your immigration case if discovered later.

Categories of Psychiatric Medications to Disclose

The following categories of psychiatric medications should be disclosed at your immigration medical exam:

• Antidepressants: SSRIs (sertraline/Zoloft, fluoxetine/Prozac, escitalopram/Lexapro, citalopram/Celexa, paroxetine/Paxil), SNRIs (venlafaxine/Effexor, duloxetine/Cymbalta, desvenlafaxine/Pristiq), bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), tricyclics (amitriptyline, nortriptyline)
• Anti-anxiety medications: buspirone (Buspar), hydroxyzine (Vistaril), benzodiazepines (lorazepam/Ativan, clonazepam/Klonopin, diazepam/Valium, alprazolam/Xanax)
• Mood stabilizers: lithium, valproate/valproic acid (Depakote), lamotrigine (Lamictal), carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Antipsychotics: quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify), risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), haloperidol (Haldol), clozapine (Clozaril), ziprasidone (Geodon), lurasidone (Latuda)
• ADHD medications: amphetamine salts (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv)
• Sleep medications: zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), trazodone, melatonin (prescription-strength)
• Other psychiatric medications: naltrexone (Vivitrol), disulfiram (Antabuse), acamprosate (Campral)

Disclosing Medications Does Not Mean Inadmissibility

Many applicants worry that disclosing psychiatric medications will automatically flag their application or lead to a finding of inadmissibility. This concern is understandable but unfounded. Taking psychiatric medications is evidence that you are receiving treatment for a mental health condition — which is a positive indicator, not a negative one.

A mental disorder is only a ground of inadmissibility if it is currently associated with harmful behavior. Taking an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or antipsychotic does not indicate harmful behavior. The civil surgeon evaluates current risk, not the existence of a diagnosis or its treatment.

Controlled Substance Prescriptions

Some psychiatric medications are controlled substances — including benzodiazepines (Schedule IV) and stimulant ADHD medications (Schedule II). You must disclose these medications even though they are controlled substances.

A valid prescription for a controlled substance is not evidence of drug abuse or addiction. The civil surgeon distinguishes between therapeutic use under a physician's care and substance abuse or dependence. Disclosing a prescribed controlled substance will not result in a finding of substance abuse.

How to Prepare Your Medication List

Before your appointment, prepare a written list of all current medications. For each medication, include: the generic name and brand name, the dosage (e.g., 50 mg), the frequency (e.g., once daily), and the prescribing physician's name.

Bring this list to your appointment. The civil surgeon's staff will review it as part of the intake process. Having an organized, complete medication list helps the appointment proceed efficiently and demonstrates that you are actively managing your health.

What Happens After You Disclose Psychiatric Medications

After you disclose psychiatric medications, the civil surgeon will note them in the medical history section of Form I-693. The civil surgeon will then conduct a brief mental status evaluation to assess whether any current mental disorder is associated with harmful behavior. For the vast majority of applicants taking psychiatric medications for treated conditions, this evaluation will not result in a finding of inadmissibility.