Anti Depressant Availability

[Nicebus]

Looking to help my neighbor in the Roi Et Provence.

His wife is on anti depressants after a particularly traumatic experience .

She got the medication while on holidays in Australia and it is about to run out.

The doctor in Australia has sent her a new script , and a letter of referal but so far the small clinics and chemists in her area say this medication or anything like it is un available. She is getting pretty stressed about the whole issue. Pardon the pun.

From the script it looks like the product is called " citalopram " or something like that. I'm guessing it is probably a prozac based product.

The doctor in Australia said that it is illegal to post the actual product from Australia and that customs would seize / destroy anyway.

My question for help / advice is does anyone know of a good chemist , maybe farang owned or operated in the Ubon or Kon Kaen area.

Obviously she would even travel to Bangkok if need be.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[Peterw42]

There is an old thread asking the same.

 

 

[observer90210]

May not be much of help, but why not try homeopathy or Bach Flower essences or remedies, that are available by mail order in Thailand ? Bach Flowers have specific essences for each type of pathology and if a doctor clearly identifies each different pathology in a person, it's easy to find which essence(s) correspond. Works or not ? Up to each individual to give it a try...

 

https://www.biovea.net/th/productlist/categorydispatch?CID=23246&deptID=5&FiltersObject={"SortValue":{},"PageSize":"12","CompareProducts":[],"Brands":{},"FormValues":{},"PriceRanges":{},"Categories":[],"objects":[]}

 

Edited December 13, 2017 by observer90210

[AlexRich]

1 hour ago, observer90210 said:

May not be much of help, but why not try homeopathy or Bach Flower essences or remedies, that are available by mail order in Thailand ? Bach Flowers have specific essences for each type of pathology and if a doctor clearly identifies each different pathology in a person, it's easy to find which essence(s) correspond. Works or not ? Up to each individual to give it a try...

 

https://www.biovea.net/th/productlist/categorydispatch?CID=23246&deptID=5&FiltersObject={"SortValue":{},"PageSize":"12","CompareProducts":[],"Brands":{},"FormValues":{},"PriceRanges":{},"Categories":[],"objects":[]}

 

Or hug a tree?

[Sheryl]

citalopram  is off market in Thailand. An available drug in the same chemical family is Escitalopram, brand names Lexapor (imported, expensive) ,  Esidep and Esopam (both locally made generic equivalents).

 

While this can be purchased without prescription it is nto advisable for her to make this switch without medical supervision - and for that matter, even if citalopram were available here, she should still be periodically seen by a doctor both to monitor her response to the drug and for any adverse effects.

 

I suggest she see a psychiatrist  to discuss the possible change and for ongoing periodic follow up. While most people will do OK switching form citalopram to escitolopram in the long run there can be unsettling mental or mood  changes initially so medical oversight is important.

 

There is a large dedicated pysch hospital in Ubon, the Prasrimahabhodi Psychiatric Hospital  http://www.prasri.go.th/new2016/indexeng.php

 

Chances are they have an "after hours clinic", if so she should avail of it, less crowded and get one on one time with the senior doctors that way

 

 

[Rally123]

They have a government psychiatric hospital in Korat. I was there Tuesday. Got there 9:30 as a new patient, out finished, with meds, by 1:30. I'd come down with depression after years of coping myself. Have suffered Anxiety/Depression for 18 years I thought I'd cracked it but I hadn't.
Anyways I told the doc what meds I'd tried in the past and she gave me 30 days supply of Sertralin 50mg with Lorazepam 1mg for the nightime. Total cost for meds, 30 day supply 135 Baht. 50 Baht for doctor. And 300 for counselling etc.
No Alcohol to be consumed once meds have been started
They also have there a Psychiatric Emergency Room, so I'd imagine they have 24 hour assistance. It is called the Rajanagarindra (Jitawait) Psychiatric Hospital.

Good luck with anyone that has true depression, you'll need it.

Edited December 14, 2017 by Rally123

[Nicebus]

4 hours ago, Rally123 said:

They have a government psychiatric hospital in Korat. I was there Tuesday. Got there 9:30 as a new patient, out finished, with meds, by 1:30. I'd come down with depression after years of coping myself. Have suffered Anxiety/Depression for 18 years I thought I'd cracked it but I hadn't.
Anyways I told the doc what meds I'd tried in the past and she gave me 30 days supply of Sertralin 50mg with Lorazepam 1mg for the nightime. Total cost for meds, 30 day supply 135 Baht. 50 Baht for doctor. And 300 for counselling etc.
No Alcohol to be consumed once meds have been started
They also have there a Psychiatric Emergency Room, so I'd imagine they have 24 hour assistance. It is called the Rajanagarindra (Jitawait) Psychiatric Hospital.

Good luck with anyone that has true depression, you'll need it.

Thank you for your advice.

She has been back in touch with the Australian doctor and they have e mailed her a new script with a product ( Lexapro ) which is apparently available here in Thailand.

[Rally123]

1 hour ago, Nicebus said:

Thank you for your advice.

She has been back in touch with the Australian doctor and they have e mailed her a new script with a product ( Lexapro ) which is apparently available here in Thailand.

Do not take her to a private hospital. They charge way over the top for antidepressants. I made that mistake once by going to Bangkok Hospital in Korat. The doctor wasn't even a Psychiatrist. Go to a government Psychiatric hospital. See a doctor there and take his advice as to the medicines required. If suffering from depression the patient needs monitoring as well as the medication. I believe 30 days is the maximum tabs a doctor may prescribe without seeing you again.

 

Quote

I went to Bumrungrad to attempt to get a prescription of Lexapro. It turns out to be something like $200 monthly for me and I just don't want to pay that for medication. I didn't end up filling my prescription.

 

Edited December 14, 2017 by Rally123

[rwdrwdrwd]

Amitriptyline Hydrochloride (Elavil) is available OTC here, usually under the brand name Tripta

 

Most commonly used as an antidepressant, but works for me pretty well for insomnia, and doesn't me with a 'hangover' the next day (unlike the other freely available one, Atarax).

 

Might be worth trying.

Edited December 14, 2017 by rwdrwdrwd

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, Nicebus said:

Thank you for your advice.

She has been back in touch with the Australian doctor and they have e mailed her a new script with a product ( Lexapro ) which is apparently available here in Thailand.

Please read my post #5  No prescription required for this in Thailand.

 

Lexapro is a brand name for Escitalopram and expensive because imported. There are less expensive generic equivalents here, brand names Esidep and Esopam .

 

 

[Nicebus]

On 12/13/2017 at 11:39 PM, Sheryl said:

citalopram  is off market in Thailand. An available drug in the same chemical family is Escitalopram, brand names Lexapor (imported, expensive) ,  Esidep and Esopam (both locally made generic equivalents).

 

While this can be purchased without prescription it is nto advisable for her to make this switch without medical supervision - and for that matter, even if citalopram were available here, she should still be periodically seen by a doctor both to monitor her response to the drug and for any adverse effects.

 

I suggest she see a psychiatrist  to discuss the possible change and for ongoing periodic follow up. While most people will do OK switching form citalopram to escitolopram in the long run there can be unsettling mental or mood  changes initially so medical oversight is important.

 

There is a large dedicated pysch hospital in Ubon, the Prasrimahabhodi Psychiatric Hospital  http://www.prasri.go.th/new2016/indexeng.php

 

Chances are they have an "after hours clinic", if so she should avail of it, less crowded and get one on one time with the senior doctors that way

 

 

Thanks very much.

My mate is taking his partner to Ubon today to visit the Hospital you suggest.

Just the thought that she will be helped has perked her up a lot.

Thanks again.

[Nicebus]

On 12/13/2017 at 11:39 PM, Sheryl said:

citalopram  is off market in Thailand. An available drug in the same chemical family is Escitalopram, brand names Lexapor (imported, expensive) ,  Esidep and Esopam (both locally made generic equivalents).

 

While this can be purchased without prescription it is nto advisable for her to make this switch without medical supervision - and for that matter, even if citalopram were available here, she should still be periodically seen by a doctor both to monitor her response to the drug and for any adverse effects.

 

I suggest she see a psychiatrist  to discuss the possible change and for ongoing periodic follow up. While most people will do OK switching form citalopram to escitolopram in the long run there can be unsettling mental or mood  changes initially so medical oversight is important.

 

There is a large dedicated pysch hospital in Ubon, the Prasrimahabhodi Psychiatric Hospital  http://www.prasri.go.th/new2016/indexeng.php

 

Chances are they have an "after hours clinic", if so she should avail of it, less crowded and get one on one time with the senior doctors that way

 

 

Just for interest , this is what the Australian doctor has most recently prescribed

[Rally123]

1 hour ago, Nicebus said:

Just for interest , this is what the Australian doctor has most recently prescribed

There are alternatives which do exactly the same job as Lexapro and a lot cheaper. Just a case of visiting a Psychiatrist at a government hospital, taking your past history, getting re-assessed and Bob's your uncle. I'm taking Sertralin 50mg. Never took it before. Was either on Venlafaxine or Fluoxetine and that's what I was expecting to get saddled with. Been on the Sertralin 3rd day now and seems to be working great even though I thought it'd take 6-8 weeks before fully kicking in. Don't self medicate when suffering depression get a doctors help.

 

PS, I think the Aus doctor to be wrong to prescribe prescription medicine without a personal examination.

Edited December 15, 2017 by Rally123

[Sheryl]

I believe this Australian doctor is her usual physician who has been monitoring and treating her depression all along. He has simply advised the best substitute medication given that what she has been on is not available here.

 

I would strongly advise against accepting a (generically) different medication . Stick to what the doctor who knows and has been treating her has advised. Citalopram and Escritalopamhave some properties that other SSRIs do not, in particular an ability to alleviate anxiety as well as depression.

 

But should be fine to substitute a locally made generic brand for Lexipro. As mentioned include Esidep and Esopam.

 

 

[xylophone]

19 hours ago, rwdrwdrwd said:

Amitriptyline Hydrochloride (Elavil) is available OTC here, usually under the brand name Tripta

 

Most commonly used as an antidepressant, but works for me pretty well for insomnia, and doesn't me with a 'hangover' the next day (unlike the other freely available one, Atarax).

 

Might be worth trying.

A doctor in NZ once prescribed that for me as an "off label" use for RSI...........and Jeez I felt awful, not remembering much of what went on and not able to focus on anything.

 

Affects folk in different ways, so beware.

[rwdrwdrwd]

10 hours ago, xylophone said:

A doctor in NZ once prescribed that for me as an "off label" use for RSI...........and Jeez I felt awful, not remembering much of what went on and not able to focus on anything.

 

Affects folk in different ways, so beware.

indeed, same with Atarax - some people sleep very well on it, for me it gave me restless legs (not fun combined with insomnia) and then the next day I felt like a zombie until the afternoon.

Edited December 15, 2017 by rwdrwdrwd