Flying with Testosterone C, Ambien, Ritalin

[hypnotizeminds]

I am about to depart on an open ended trip to Thailand and was planning on getting an onward ticket to a neighboring country but wasnt sure on the guidelines of bringing prescriptions, I would prefer to bring what would amount to 3 months on the current prescription but would actually last about 9-12 months for the testosterone and 4-6 months worth of ambien and ritalin but have seen a mixed bag on this and other forums as far as only being allowed a 30 day supply. Do I need to have a doctors note? Or is there a form that is necessary?  I intend to eventually get a educational visa but I would like to visit the schools before paying the tuition, so I will likely be around for much more than 30 days and dont want to have to go through the hassle of finding a new doctor and getting the correct medication right away. Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated

[impulse]

but have seen a mixed bag on this and other forums as far as only being allowed a 30 day supply.

 

You've provided your own definitive answer.  Beyond that, it's up to luck and the mood of the customs official in the very unlikely event you're singled out for inspection when you arrive.  In 6+ years and a couple of dozen arrivals, I've never opened my luggage at customs in BKK.  It goes through x-ray about half the time.  But that doesn't mean it won't happen on my next trip in.  I decrease the odds by dressing and acting respectably on entry- and I don't carry 6 suitcases that look like they may be full of stuff for resale. 

 

I often travel with well over 30 days' supply, and just  keep the labels from the hospital that gave me the medicines (hospitals are the only place in Thailand you can get some of the tightly controlled stuff like Ritalin).  No problems yet, but your mileage may vary- and my luck could change tomorrow.  But I don't worry about prescriptions like I'd have the tight sphincter if I was carrying recreational drugs through customs.  That's just dumb.

 

BTW, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how reasonable it is to visit a doctor (in a hospital- very few family practices) to get a prescription, and real pleased to find that most meds don't even require one.  But sticker shocked at the hospital pharmacy if the meds are imported...

 

Edit:  You'll grease the skids a little at the hospital if you have evidence that the drugs were prescribed back home, as opposed to rocking up and asking for something like Ritalin with no past experience.

 

Edited October 23, 2017 by impulse

[Sheryl]

In terms of special permits, required for narcotics but not for psychotropics which are the category ambien and ritalin fall under (testosterone is over the counter drug in Thailand).

 

HOWEVER be advised that both of these are controlled drugs in Thailand available only from hospitals so you definitely should have proof of prescription. a physician's letter, while not essential, would be helpful especially should you need to obtain more supply while here.

 

It is required that all meds be in prescription bottles clearly labelled with oyur name, doctor's name etc

 

Now as to the 30 day requirement - not usually strictly enforced for ordinary meds but likely to be for controlled meds like Ritalin and ambien (especially the ritalin).  You take a risk in trying to bring in more.

 

 

[cocteau2x]

How about the return trip to USA?  Does anyone know?

 

As was stated above, there are some meds that are over the counter here in Thailand that is prescription in the USA.

I will be flying back to the USA at the end of November and would like to take some testostorone and some metformin back to the USA.

 

I was just going to take it in its original packaging through hand luggage.  

 

Thoughts?  Experience?

 

(also started another thread with this question .. mods please remove if this is the wrong place to add)