Modafinil / Provigil Availability

[guava]

Can anyone tell me whether Modafinil (AKA Provigil, Modalert, Alertec, and other names) or any generic equivalent is available in Thailand? I have yet to find a pharmacy that carries it, but I haven't been to a big hospital or a doctor to check. Anyone using this medication? I have found it very helpful in the past for helping with daytime narcolepsy.

Also interested in any recommendations for online pharmacies that people have found reputable. Anyone had problems using online pharmacies from Thailand - rejection of orders, or failure to receive what was ordered? Are there any operating in Thailand?

[roblin]

Can anyone tell me whether Modafinil (AKA Provigil, Modalert, Alertec, and other names) or any generic equivalent is available in Thailand? I have yet to find a pharmacy that carries it, but I haven't been to a big hospital or a doctor to check. Anyone using this medication? I have found it very helpful in the past for helping with daytime narcolepsy.

Also interested in any recommendations for online pharmacies that people have found reputable. Anyone had problems using online pharmacies from Thailand - rejection of orders, or failure to receive what was ordered? Are there any operating in Thailand?

I have been asking around for it for a while too. Nobody seems to know what it is

[tmifune]

Can anyone tell me whether Modafinil (AKA Provigil, Modalert, Alertec, and other names) or any generic equivalent is available in Thailand? I have yet to find a pharmacy that carries it, but I haven't been to a big hospital or a doctor to check. Anyone using this medication? I have found it very helpful in the past for helping with daytime narcolepsy.

Also interested in any recommendations for online pharmacies that people have found reputable. Anyone had problems using online pharmacies from Thailand - rejection of orders, or failure to receive what was ordered? Are there any operating in Thailand?

Modafinil is a wonderful drug for those that suffer from lethargy caused by sleep depravation. I imagine its a god send for people afflicted with Narcolepsy. Absolutely no sides and no dependency what so ever. Can't help you on the Thai clasification of this drug, but I have been using the bellow site for the past 3 years and never had a problem with an order.....

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/a2z/modafinil.htm

Edited March 12, 2007 by tmifune

[Maestro]

Modafinil (generic name) apparently is not yet registered and available in Thailand. Cannot find it in the MIMS (index of medical specialties)

--

Maestro

[guava]

Thanks guys - will keep looking. In the meantime I'll keep drowning myself in coffee and tea, propping open the eyes with matchsticks, etc.

So far I have not been able to find an online pharmacy that

- will send to Thailand

- will not reject my Thai credit card (feedback from sites say my card has a block on it, feedback from Citibank says no blocks of any type on card)

I'm guessing other medications that have more abuse/addiction potential (eg Ritalin, Adderall) or anything amphetamine like are also not available or hard to come by.

What about caffeine (only) in tablet form (Nodoz or similar)? Available in Thailand?

[roblin]

Thanks guys - will keep looking. In the meantime I'll keep drowning myself in coffee and tea, propping open the eyes with matchsticks, etc.

So far I have not been able to find an online pharmacy that

- will send to Thailand

- will not reject my Thai credit card (feedback from sites say my card has a block on it, feedback from Citibank says no blocks of any type on card)

I'm guessing other medications that have more abuse/addiction potential (eg Ritalin, Adderall) or anything amphetamine like are also not available or hard to come by.

What about caffeine (only) in tablet form (Nodoz or similar)? Available in Thailand?

which site?

[Sheryl]

What about caffeine (only) in tablet form (Nodoz or similar)? Available in Thailand?

I don't know about tablet form, but Thailand is full of "energy" drinks which consist of a large dose of caffeine, glucose and B vitamins: Red Bull, Lipo-Vitan D, etc. Any 7-eleven, convenience shop at gas stations, supermarketrs etc carry them.

There are rumors that these also contain amphetamines but that might just be an urban myth...not sure.

[ranma500]

Can anyone tell me whether Modafinil (AKA Provigil, Modalert, Alertec, and other names) or any generic equivalent is available in Thailand? I have yet to find a pharmacy that carries it, but I haven't been to a big hospital or a doctor to check. Anyone using this medication? I have found it very helpful in the past for helping with daytime narcolepsy.

Also interested in any recommendations for online pharmacies that people have found reputable. Anyone had problems using online pharmacies from Thailand - rejection of orders, or failure to receive what was ordered? Are there any operating in Thailand?

Modafinil is a wonderful drug for those that suffer from lethargy caused by sleep depravation. I imagine its a god send for people afflicted with Narcolepsy. Absolutely no sides and no dependency what so ever. Can't help you on the Thai clasification of this drug, but I have been using (url of online drug order site deleted per forum rules, PM poster if you want these details). for the past 3 years and never had a problem with an order.....

May I ask, have you ordered to an address here in Thailand?

Is this a restricted drug in Thailand, or can one order online and have it delivered to Thailand?

Thanks.

[HollyMann]

YES there is an online pharmacy that I've been ordering from for the past 3 years (to Thailand). It is a reputable UK pharmacy and they sell Modifinil, made by Sun Pharmaceuticals. I believe it's a lot cheaper than many other sites I've seen as well. Fast delivery too! (URL deleted by moderator per forum rules, PM poster if desired)

I've never had customs or anyone for that matter open it up or take it. When I lived in the states, however, that did happen one time. Good luck. I know how you feel! I'll be ordering more soon too.

[wasabi]

Bumping this one. I would love to get Modafinil in Thailand. Any updates on this? Also for those saying just drown yourself in energy drinks. They are not even in the same league as Modafinil. If you take about half a pill of Modafinil you feel no buzz, jitteriness or comedown. Also the alert feeling is much more clear than on Caffeine. They really are just not the same drug at all. It's great when you need to study or just feel lethargic and it is not addictive. I hope it's available soon.

[Sheryl]

The drug is listed in the Mims in by its generic form and with the notation "no brand names available". I am not sure what that means, usually if a drug is not approved for use in Thailand it will not appear in Mims under either brand name or generic. If it is approved for use, it will almost certainly be a restricted drug meaning you have to get it from a physician/hospital. Suggest you consult a neurologist with specialization in narcolepsy.

Note that the drug can have serious cardiac effects and is contraindicated in the presence of heart disease.

[bigbadbobbolton]

Can anyone tell me whether Modafinil (AKA Provigil, Modalert, Alertec, and other names) or any generic equivalent is available in Thailand? I have yet to find a pharmacy that carries it, but I haven't been to a big hospital or a doctor to check. Anyone using this medication? I have found it very helpful in the past for helping with daytime narcolepsy.

Also interested in any recommendations for online pharmacies that people have found reputable. Anyone had problems using online pharmacies from Thailand - rejection of orders, or failure to receive what was ordered? Are there any operating in Thailand?

Here is a useful site that lists drugs that are supposed to be available in some Asian countries. A hardcopy of MIMS is what your local pharmacist uses! This is the online version of that book. If what you want isn't in here then forget sourcing what you want in Thailand. Modafinil is mentioned in the online version but not in any great detail and that usually means it is not available. Also it does help to show the pharmacist what you want, just print out the page and take it with you, saves lots of time trying to explain things!

http://www.mims.com/

[gbglass]

I'm also very interested in finding Modafinil, I've asked around in some pharmacies in Pattaya but no one knows what it is. Anyone found out what the legal status is here?

[sabaijai]

A Thai doctor friend has checked into modafinil availability, and says there is no distributor in Thailand.

[RubbahSlippahs]

Thanks for the website as I've been looking for this medication in Thailand and no one seems to know what I've been talking about.

YES there is an online pharmacy that I've been ordering from for the past 3 years (to Thailand). It is a reputable UK pharmacy and they sell Modifinil, made by Sun Pharmaceuticals. I believe it's a lot cheaper than many other sites I've seen as well. Fast delivery too! (URL link deleted, contact poster by PM for details)

I've never had customs or anyone for that matter open it up or take it. When I lived in the states, however, that did happen one time. Good luck. I know how you feel! I'll be ordering more soon too.

[Sheryl]

A few words of caution to those planning to order this drug for delivery into Thailand:

1. A license is required to import more than a 30 day supply of medication for personal use, keep that ion mind re quantities.

2. Because the drug has no distributor/is not available in Thailand the Thai FDA seems not to have given it a classification so it is in somewhat of a grey area. Be aware that many psychotropic drugs in thailand are controlled substannces and that there are special requirements for the import of such e.g. doctor's certificate. If you want to be cautious, have one on hand.

3. Contrary to what one poster said, the drug does have side effects and contraindications (as do all medications), be sure to read up on these.

4. Totally aside from adverse effects of the drug itself, if it is used as a means of being able to function with less sleep, that in itself can be harmful. Nature wants us to sleep, it serves many important functions for mind and body. Unless you have narcolepsy, it is best to simply listen to your body and get the amount of sleep it needs....

[webworldly]

Hi Sheryl....I asked about Modafinil a while back and then didn't think much about it again once I understood it wasn't available in Thailand. In the past few weeks alone, however, I've heard about this "wonder pill" (Modafinil) so many times that it's impossible for me to believe that many of these folks aren't getting it shipped from an online pharmacy. A few of the people are folks I see at the gym regularly and I'd like to know what they might be in for should a shipment go awry.

What is the "norm" (I'm sure I can imagine the "worst case"....so no need to ask you to write it out) as far as outcome / consequences if someone orders something like a 30 day supply of Modafinil without a prescription from an online pharmacy for delivery to them in Thailand and customs seizes the package? (This is my hypothetical, and I'd like to keep it just at "30-day supply Modafinil"....so I'll appeal to all who are reading this post not to hijack this with responses based on other hypotheticals involving either larger quantities or more "hard core" drugs.)

1. Simple destruction of the package? If this is all that happens (somehow I suspect it isn't), then do they even notify you or does the package just never arrive?
   
2. Notification by customs / police by mail or phone with instructions to go to a local office and pay a fine?
   
3. Notification by customs / police in person with instructions to pay a fine on the spot?
   
4. Notification by customs / police in person with physical arrest and detention? If so, what then viz process and consequences?
   

Any other thoughts about this hypothetical?

CHEERS!

D

[lovenim]

I wonder this too... what it's like to import meds the Thais do not know or approve of. If they're not banned per se, there should be no real problem, right?

There is another drug, selegiline / deprenyl, which may have similar effects to modafinil, and it is available in Thailand on prescription for parkinsonism. It affects a number of neurotransmitters due do MAOI activity. I haven't tried it yet but I am going to because I want to compare it with modafinil, which I rate highly.

[Orion76]

I have asked a neurologist who specializes in sleep medicine. He says Modafinil is not FDA approved so it can't be imported and sold by pharmacies and hospitals. Thai authorities aren't in a hurry to approve new stimulant drugs so don't expect it to become available in the near/far future. I don't think it's even under consideration and the approval process can take years.

webworldy - if customs decides there is something in your mail that requires further investigation, you will be sent a note in the mail telling you your package is at the customs house (at Hua Lampong if in Bangkok). When you go to collect it you will be asked to open the parcel in front of a customs officer, who will then inspect the contents in your presence. They have FDA and representatives from similar agencies on the premises, who you might be referred to if the customs officer isn't sure about your shipment. If it's not a controlled or illegal substance/item but you simply imported too much in one shipment, or you are not allowed to import it for some other reason, you're most likely to be told you can't have it and to go home.

If it's a matter of a disagreement of if the quantity is reasonable for personal use then some friendly debate about how much you would consume in a month could convince them to let it go. If what you imported is illegal then it depends on how illegal but you could be in trouble.

[SpoliaOpima]

Not true. FDA approved in 2004.

[lovenim]

With a legal prescription for Modafinil from a doctor back in one's home country one should be allowed to legally import several months' worth of the drug, no? If they found it, you could then produce the doctor's prescription and they would kind of morally HAVE TO let you have it - since you were prescribed it for a medical condition and might need it.

Edited July 20, 2009 by lovenim

[czGLoRy]

Any new

word? I would like to try this to relieve some of these symptoms the drug relieves. I hear good things, but don't want to risk getting in trouble

[Sheryl]

Any new

word? I would like to try this to relieve some of these symptoms the drug relieves. I hear good things, but don't want to risk getting in trouble

It has not been approved for use in Thailand and I haven't heard anything to suggest it is under review.

There are some nootropics that are approved for sue here, if you can be more specific about your symptoms may be able to advise better

[ha55ha]

Any new

word? I would like to try this to relieve some of these symptoms the drug relieves. I hear good things, but don't want to risk getting in trouble

It has not been approved for use in Thailand and I haven't heard anything to suggest it is under review.

There are some nootropics that are approved for sue here, if you can be more specific about your symptoms may be able to advise better

Do you know which nootropics are available here, and would I be able to get them from a Pharmacy?

Thank you

[Sheryl]

piracetam - many local brands

vinpocetine

Both are OTC, but probably found only in larger pharmacies

As with any medication, read up on it inc. side effects and contraindications

[sciack]

I take retaline you can find it in hospitals.

[ha55ha]

I take retaline you can find it in hospitals.

Do you need to get a prescription from a doctor, or can you just walk in and buy it?

[Sheryl]

Ritalin is a controlled drug and can only be gotten on doctor's presecription at a hospital pharmacy.

[Sheryl]

Ritalin is a controlled drug and can only be gotten on doctor's presecription at a hospital pharmacy.

[SpoliaOpima]

Further to what I posted long ago above, I read an article in a Thai medical journal from 2004 that said the FDA approved it that year.

Is seems the MIMS has laid out the various classifications. Or am I reading this page wrong?

http://www.mims.com/Page.aspx?menuid=mng&name=modafinil&brief=true&h=modafinil&CTRY=TH&searchstring=modafinil

Edited January 4, 2011 by SpoliaOpima