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Getting Medication in the US Getting Medication in the US
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Staying Healthy on the Road Medical info, e.g. malaria, vaccinations, travel medical tips, medical insurance, where to find a doctor.
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  #1  
Old 14 Jul 2011
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Getting Medication in the US
I was wondering if there were any chemists / doctors from the US that could give me advice about the ease of getting a medication (methotrexate) in the states. I've been told by my doctor that they won't prescribe it for the period I'll be away, so I need to find it as I travel. Ideally I'd get enough for my entire trip in one go. It's pretty heavily regulated in the UK, I wondered if it was the same in the US and if I'd have to end up paying for loads of tests (which I've had in the UK already) before anyone would prescribe it?
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Old 14 Jul 2011
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this will need checking by someone in the US but.... The only difference in teh medical application of amethopterin (MTX) in the states compared to the UK is that it's use has not been approved for MS, but for all the conditions that it would normally be prescribed in low dose in the UK it is also used for in the US.

For high-dose MTX treatments you would be well advised to have specialists lined up to see anyway depending on your condition.
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Old 14 Jul 2011
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meds
you can get your prescription refil if you can get organized in advance and have your doc in contact with a US doc , no so difficult if legit . Same as if you had just loss your med.
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Old 14 Jul 2011
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Thanks for those replies, thankfully the MTX is only needed in small doses. I've got a couple of months before I leave, so I will see what I can organize regards a doctor in the US helping me.
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Old 15 Jul 2011
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If it fits into your schedule think about a small detour to Mexico, if you have a prescription you can get most 'normal' drugs in the Farmacia's in the big border towns and it's cheaper than in the US, I know 'cos I've done it. Ride safe.
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Old 15 Jul 2011
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Great advice...thanks.
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Old 16 Jul 2011
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I'm epileptic so I asked my neurologist to write out a 2nd prescription. I also asked for a note on letterhead explaining what medication I take. So far, I haven't had any problems bringing it into countries, but that's just a matter of luck.
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Old 21 Jul 2011
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I just saw this on the Home Office website, you can apply for a license to carry large amounts of personal controlled drugs that is valid internationally:

Personal licences | Home Office
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Old 26 Sep 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henryuk View Post
I just saw this on the Home Office website, you can apply for a license to carry large amounts of personal controlled drugs that is valid internationally:

Personal licences | Home Office
It might be understood internationally, but doesn't mean you can take these drugs into certain countries, so beware, and check and check again, I've not gone to UAE for work, because of my meds, even with UK permits, but UAE controlled list changed not so long ago, so can take some and not others. Absolute minefield out there! Walked through red channel and declared some in China once, customs told me not to worry. Got through to airport lounge, and read that some expat had been imprisoned for what i'd just declared. Oops.
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Old 27 Sep 2011
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I'm in Saudi and some of the teachers had their medication taken at the airport. I don't know if they had notes from their doctors but it was high blood pressure and diabetes medication. Ack!
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Old 27 Sep 2011
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back to the original post, is it possible to email a doctors practice or even hospital or consultant, at your destination to see what they'd say?
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Old 27 Sep 2011
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That might help but you're still open to the whims of customs when you enter the country. Bring a note from your doctor and hope for the best!
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