# Doing {Prescription} drugs overseas **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2024, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530 "2024-06-30T17:03:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/21 "2024-07-01T18:08:58Z")
Some drugs do have different generic names in different parts of the world. A well known example is acetaminophen (Tylenol) which is called paracetamol in most of the world. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/22 "2024-07-01T18:13:45Z")
I’m pretty sure that’s well known, and there are standard reference books that list drugs by name with photographs to identify unknown ones. There are probably websites and phone apps now for the same thing; my guess is that the apps can use phone cameras to identify unknown pills. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/23 "2024-07-01T18:16:43Z")
Hopefully, you can use this… > **[International Drug Names from Drugs.com](https://www.drugs.com/international/)** > > Browse our comprehensive international database of medications found in 185 countries around the world. I pointed my mother toward it. She’s a traveler with a few different drug allergies. Important to be able to make clear _which_ pretty much no matter _where_ you are. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/24 "2024-07-01T20:44:45Z")
Well, I gave a very specific example: what is the name of Amlodipine in Thailand? Thanks @DavidNRockies for the reference – it’s not in there. I’m aware of acetaminophen/paracetamol and I’ve asked for the latter in Italy last year. That seems more the exception. I’m thinking I’ll need to rely on a Thai doctor to know most of the name differences, and I bet almost none of my drugs have a name difference. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/25 "2024-07-01T20:46:00Z")
Meanwhile I’ve been thinking about mail forwarding overseas, or just collecting mail in the US indefinitely. I was just at USPS and the counter man emphatically said USPS can do nothing - nothing! - to help an expat there. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/26 "2024-07-01T20:48:09Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > Is this really something you’ll be likely to find anywhere? A doctor who will just prescribe what you tell them to without making their own independent decision about what you need? Even without changing countries or doctors I usually end up with some sort of medication change every year or so. I don’t know. These are meds I’ve taken for decades, so crossing my fingers. I had to change BP meds a few years ago because I had sodium issues, but these are well understood very old meds found anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/27 "2024-07-01T20:49:16Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > You’re going to find this much easier than you’re imagining, I think. Easiest script refill, go to pharmacy, ask Would I need a new ‘scrip’ from a US doctor? Or just bring in my current pill bottle and say “see, my doctor wants me to have this.” ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/28 "2024-07-01T21:02:13Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Well, I gave a very specific example: what is the name of Amlodipine in Thailand? Thanks @DavidNRockies for the reference – it’s not in there. As to Amlodipine, specifically, I think you’ll be okay: > **[APO-Amlodipine - Thailand Medical News](https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/drugs/apo-amlodipine)** > > Thailand Medical News It’s called “Ambes” in Thailand: > **[Amlodipine (International database)](https://www.drugs.com/international/amlodipine.html)** > > Amlodipine is a medicine available in a number of countries worldwide. A list of US medications equivalent to Amlodipine is available on the Drugs.com website. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/29 "2024-07-01T21:03:35Z")
I had really excellent luck with these people while I traveled: [https://www.usabox.com/](https://www.usabox.com/) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/30 "2024-07-01T21:04:16Z")
Aha, Ambes! I see how you got there, thanks for leading me along. Now I can look up my other drugs the same way. Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/31 "2024-07-01T21:23:42Z")
In my experience with US-based doctors, they won’t renew prescriptions much past twelve months. In other words, they want to see and examine you annually in order to renew even the most ordinary maintenance medications. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/32 "2024-07-01T21:26:15Z")
Agree. There’s rationales for this, but it’s mostly blatant rent-seeking nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/33 "2024-07-01T21:27:12Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I had really excellent luck with these people while I traveled: > > [https://www.usabox.com/](https://www.usabox.com/) Cool, thank you! I’ve been just googling expat mail services, appreciate the personal rec! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/34 "2024-07-01T21:30:32Z")
No,you won’t. Just go to the pharmacy and ask. Pay. Leave happy. It really is that easy. Or go to a clinic if you’ll feel better paying for a Dr, but you don’t need to. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/35 "2024-07-01T21:45:00Z")
When i was having trouble getting my drug insurer to pay for Omeprazole, my boss’ wife was traveling to India and he offered to have her pick some up for me. I asked if she’s need a prescription. He just laughed. Granted, you can buy that in small (and expensive) quantities in the US without a prescription, too. But a lot of countries are more relaxed about those things for routine drugs that aren’t subject to abuse. I’m the other hand, a friend in Italy has her daughter smuggle in ibuprofen, because apparently she needs to see a doctor and get a prescription for it in Italy. So it can go either way. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > In my experience with US-based doctors, they won’t renew prescriptions much past twelve months. In other words, they want to see and examine you annually in order to renew even the most ordinary maintenance medications. On the other hand, for the cost of seeing them they will. And my experience (mostly caring for my mom, who was on a lot of meds and saw a lot of new doctors) is that if you see a new doctor and say, “this is what the prior doctor prescribed, and why” the new doctor will either say, “okay” or sometimes “here’s another drug in the same family you might want to try”. (Or even, have you ever tried this new option? It is better for some patients for the following reasons.) It’s not as if doctors are trying to prevent your from getting your high blood pressure treated. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/36 "2024-07-01T21:49:49Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > the other hand, a friend in Italy has her daughter smuggle in ibuprofen, because apparently she needs to see a doctor and get a prescription for it in Italy. So it can go either way My friend in Japan always has me pick up US _Chlorpheniramine Maleate_ (AKA “Allerest”) and bring it to him when I visit. Despite being widely available (and not all that effective) in the US since the 70s, Japan never approved it. I got him a 1000 tab bottle off of Amazon for like 10 bucks before my last trip a couple of months ago, I figure he’s good for 5-7 years now. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/37 "2024-07-01T21:53:52Z")
You treated that clonazepam like it was dangerous, because IT WAS. Anyway, I would second finding a forum for expats and ask them how they deal with this. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/38 "2024-07-01T22:44:07Z")
I don’t think I was clear - I wasn’t talking about the medication being not well understood or anything like that. I’m talking about people’s medical conditions changing over time and doctors generally being reluctant to continue to authorize refills indefinitely without a visit. I know my doctors won’t give me another refill if it’s been more than a year since a visit. And there’s no way I would expect to see a doctor in the US (or really anywhere else) and get a prescription based on what some other doctor prescribed without the new doctor making their own assessment. Which may or may not involve different medications or different dosages but it’s not > tell him what you need, and get Thai prescriptions. Now, if all of your medications are over the counter in Thailand, then what I’m talking about won’t apply , ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530/39 "2024-08-06T20:48:04Z")
Thailand is a much freer country than the US and you can get your medications over the counter without a prescription. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doing-prescription-drugs-overseas/1003530.md?page=1)