Millions of UK travellers heading overseas this holiday season may be tempted to buy medications without a prescription, including drugs that would normally require medical approval in the UK. Thailand is among several countries where some prescription-only medicines, including weight loss injections, antibiotics and corticosteroids, can be obtained more easily, raising concerns among medical experts about the risks of self-prescribing.
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Research cited by Travel Weekly suggests more than half of Britons are likely to take at least one trip abroad. While lower prices and easier access may make foreign medicines attractive, doctors warn that buying prescription-only treatments without proper medical supervision can lead to serious health complications.
Weight loss injections containing semaglutide, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are available without prescription in parts of Thailand and some other countries. Experts say incorrect dosing can trigger nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration, while more severe complications may include pancreatitis and gallbladder disease. NHS GP Dr Amel Imam said medical supervision is needed to ensure patients begin with low doses and increase gradually.
Thailand is also among countries where tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative used to treat acne and skin ageing, can be purchased without a prescription. Consultant dermatologist Dr Tina Tian warned that incorrect use can damage the skin, causing redness, peeling, inflammation and increased sensitivity to sunlight. The treatment should also not be used during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects.
Corticosteroids such as prednisolone and dexamethasone are widely available without prescription in parts of South-East Asia, including Thailand. Pharmacist Ana Carolina Goncalves warned that prolonged misuse can weaken bones, raise blood sugar levels and suppress the immune system. Abruptly stopping long-term use may trigger a potentially life-threatening adrenal crisis.
Experts also highlighted concerns over antibiotics sold without prescriptions in many countries. Dr Ilan Lieberman said misuse contributes to antibiotic resistance, a growing global health threat. Taking the wrong antibiotic, dose or treatment duration may allow infections to worsen and increase the risk of severe complications.
Other medications discussed include melatonin supplements commonly sold over the counter in the United States, oral diclofenac tablets available in some countries despite cardiovascular risks, and metamizole, a painkiller banned in the UK but still available in parts of Eastern Europe due to concerns over potentially fatal immune system collapse.
The Daily Mall reported that Dr Naveed Asif of The London General Practice said many symptoms can overlap between different illnesses, increasing the risk that travellers choose inappropriate medications. Experts advise holidaymakers to seek qualified medical advice before using prescription-only drugs obtained abroad.
Picture courtesy of The Daily Mall
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 24 June 2026
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