Purchasing Decongestents

[Beeonlotus]

Hello folks!

 

Girlfriend has a possible sinus infection caused by a faulty dive.  I've been told by some experts at another forum specializing in dives (I don't fully trust the medical care here), who've diagnosed her case, tentatively, as having an "ear barotrauma that may have progressed to a middle ear and sinus infection."   I'm unfamiliar with the big words they used, but it basically confirms my own diagnosis of what happened.  They've suggested decongestents plus anti-biotics for treatment.  Because I'm not with her - she's in Korat and I'm in Bangkok at present, I can't go to the store and make sure she purchases the proper medicine.

Does anyone know of any specific brands of decongestents in Thailand?  Preferably spelled in Thai, but Romanized will also do, so she can go to the pharmacist and directly request it.

 

I appreciate your help!

 

Bee

[Peterw42]

Odd that you would trust anonymous strangers on internet forums over a Thai medicial services. Why not visit a hospital and see an ear nose and throat specialist. 

[Sheryl]

The best oral decongestant is pseudoephedrine, which comes in innumerable brands but cannot be purchased over the counter in Thailand.  She has to go to a hospital to get it. There is no effective oral decongestant she can get at a pharmacy here. Oral decongestants were made hospital-only a few years back due to concerns about their potential use to manufacture amphetamines.

 

The main government hospital in Korat is quite good, it is a regional level facility, though waits will be long and if she does nto speak Thai, should have a Thai speaker along.

[Beeonlotus]

28 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The best oral decongestant is pseudoephedrine, which comes in innumerable brands but cannot be purchased over the counter in Thailand.  She has to go to a hospital to get it. There is no effective oral decongestant she can get at a pharmacy here. Oral decongestants were made hospital-only a few years back due to concerns about their potential use to manufacture amphetamines.

 

The main government hospital in Korat is quite good, it is a regional level facility, though waits will be long and if she does nto speak Thai, should have a Thai speaker along.

Great, thank you so much for your help!  What about nasal decongestents?

She speaks Thai, but would rather avoid the long-lines and hot, crowded conditions for something which we could, most likely, treat easily on our own.  I will ask her to go to a local clinic, ask specifically for the decongestent plus antibiotics, and self-treat and see how it goes.  If the problem persists or worsens after that or during, I'll take her to see a specialist in Korat.

[Sheryl]

Local clinic will nto have pseudephedrine, it is restricted to hospitals. In addition, stand alone "clinics" are usually best avoided.

 

Nasal decongestants can still be bought OTC in pharmacies. Many brands e.g. Oxymet, active ingrediant is oxymetrazoline

 

If she actually had bacterial sinusitis she would be acutely ill with significant fever...and choice of antibiotic is acomplex. I would caution against self-traatment with antibiotics.