zolpidem in Thailand

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, ricklev said:

Dr. Donna at MedConsult  prescribes and dispenses Zolpidem or has in the recent past anyway.  It is the Dactive brand as posted above.

Very good to know, thanks

[RichardColeman]

I took this stuff for a while, found it made me forget everything I watched on the tv for the hour before bed.

[Sheryl]

39 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

I took this stuff for a while, found it made me forget everything I watched on the tv for the hour before bed.

 

i took it exactly once.

 

Did not make me in the least bit sleepy, but did make me hallucinate mildly. Never again.

 

But some people apparently find it helpful.

[RichardColeman]

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Did not make me in the least bit sleepy, but did make me hallucinate mildly. Never again.

Yeah, I did walk into a wall once !

[tgw]

53 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

i took it exactly once.

 

Did not make me in the least bit sleepy, but did make me hallucinate mildly. Never again.

 

But some people apparently find it helpful.

 

effect on me is that it shuts me down. this is for the 10mg dose. if I don't lay down, the effect is similar to being drunk.

usually I take just 5mg and with this dose I would not fall asleep unless trying. but when I lay down and actively try to sleep, half the pill is just enough to shut down my thoughts which otherwise would keep me awake.

the big advantage for me is that the next morning I am not sleepy or drowsy and I wake up well rested.

 

obviously effects are different from one person to another

[ThaiPauly]

I was taking Zolpidem until recently.

I have discontinued  it now because of the side effects.

Apart from nocturnal eating I was sleepwalking and fighting with the mosquito nets around the bed.

I have no idea what else I would be capable  of while taking them but the effects got worse over time and were scary. When I was taking them in hospital  there was no problem  but once I was discharged  about a month ago the problems started 

[ricklev]

I also will never take it again.  I nocturnaly cooked and ate and sent some regrettable text messages!  But more than that I think it deranged my perception of the world for several days after taking it and left me depressed.  

[tgw]

On 3/8/2021 at 4:01 PM, Sheryl said:

 

i took it exactly once.

 

Did not make me in the least bit sleepy, but did make me hallucinate mildly. Never again.

 

But some people apparently find it helpful.

 

2 hours ago, ThaiPauly said:

I was taking Zolpidem until recently.

I have discontinued  it now because of the side effects.

Apart from nocturnal eating I was sleepwalking and fighting with the mosquito nets around the bed.

I have no idea what else I would be capable  of while taking them but the effects got worse over time and were scary. When I was taking them in hospital  there was no problem  but once I was discharged  about a month ago the problems started 

 

1 minute ago, ricklev said:

I also will never take it again.  I nocturnaly cooked and ate and sent some regrettable text messages!  But more than that I think it deranged my perception of the world for several days after taking it and left me depressed.  

 

so the dangers are real - thanks for sharing !

 

[fvw53]

On 3/11/2021 at 10:57 AM, tgw said:

 

 

 

so the dangers are real - thanks for sharing !

 

I take zolpidem 10 mg (prescribed by neurologist) since about 5 years : I cut the tablets in 2 x5mg because the half life time is only a few hours and so I take always 5 mg before going to sleep and another 5 mg when I (always) wake up very early in the morning. (this sleep interruption to urinate seems not unusual for person of my age 77 years)

[tgw]

18 hours ago, fvw53 said:

I take zolpidem 10 mg (prescribed by neurologist) since about 5 years : I cut the tablets in 2 x5mg because the half life time is only a few hours and so I take always 5 mg before going to sleep and another 5 mg when I (always) wake up very early in the morning. (this sleep interruption to urinate seems not unusual for person of my age 77 years)

yes, I do the same: half a tablet in the evening and I sleep easily for 7 hours. the short half time makes it the best sleeping pill for me, I didn't experience such side effects as the other posters.

[retiree]

Puzzled by this thread -- I just called Phyathai Hospital, and they said they are dispensing Zolpidem as usual.   It has been my experience over the years that a) the specific drug supplier is government regulated, and b) these change periodically, so the hospital dispenses whatever brand they're given.   

 

Fwiw I also take just 5 or 6mg (pill-splitters and milligram scales are easy to find), never more then 3 times per week, and it's always lights out immediately.   I do wish they'd sell the delayed-release forms, but like everybody else I make do with 6 or 7 hours sleep.

-- Retiree 

[Sheryl]

19 hours ago, retiree said:

Puzzled by this thread -- I just called Phyathai Hospital, and they said they are dispensing Zolpidem as usual.   It has been my experience over the years that a) the specific drug supplier is government regulated, and b) these change periodically, so the hospital dispenses whatever brand they're given.   

 

Fwiw I also take just 5 or 6mg (pill-splitters and milligram scales are easy to find), never more then 3 times per week, and it's always lights out immediately.   I do wish they'd sell the delayed-release forms, but like everybody else I make do with 6 or 7 hours sleep.

-- Retiree 

The private hospitals are not given drugs by the government. They purchase from distributors and manufacturers. Of which there are many licensed in Thailand.

The manufacturer took Zolpidem off market in Thailand. Usually it is because the cost of maintaining registration was not considered worthwhile for the volume of sales. It has happened with many drugs that were not in much demand except among foreigners.

 

However this is fairly recent so some hospitals may still have stock. In addition, they can, if they want, import it directly themselves since it is approved for use. Private hospitals do not do this often but they can for all but controlled drugs.

[retiree]

Interesting.  Over the years I've seen three, maybe four different Zolpidem manufacturers / countries of origin at Phyathai.  It has stayed in mind because only one brand had long, scored tablets.  The current round dome 10mg guys don't always split evenly, even with a pill cutter.  

Both doc and pharmacy were sympathetic, and agreed that a 5mg dosage (or easily split pills) were better for older patients.  But, the pharmacy always insisted its hands were tied because the gov specified a single supplier.  Of course, they may have just been asking me to get off their lawn ????   

-- Retiree 

[fvw53]

On 3/8/2021 at 3:20 PM, RichardColeman said:

I took this stuff for a while, found it made me forget everything I watched on the tv for the hour before bed.

Very interesting it may partly explain why I feel since 5 years problems to remember names or what I looked on TV one hour earlier etc...but I am also 78 which is another factor ..my memory problem did not become much worse as some people with Mild Cognitive Impairment should expect ....but since 5 years zolpidem makes me sleep very well (I take 5 mg before going to bed and another after waking up between 3 and 4 a.m.)

[Satcommlee]

I'm adding to this topic because it comes up in Google search, I hope the information is useful to others...

Dr Anywhere (telemedicine app) can provide Zolpidem at 30 baht per tablet, you must first consult with one of their  Psychiatrists which costs 1500 Baht (quite expensive but you can't beat it for convenience) all done from your phone/tablet and the medicine will be provided by courier service.

In my case, I uploaded referral letter and medical notes confirming long-term use of Zolpidem.....  It is possible (and quite rightly) they may not be happy to prescribe this drug without first trying alternative options... 

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, Satcommlee said:

I'm adding to this topic because it comes up in Google search, I hope the information is useful to others...

Dr Anywhere (telemedicine app) can provide Zolpidem at 30 baht per tablet, you must first consult with one of their  Psychiatrists which costs 1500 Baht (quite expensive but you can't beat it for convenience) all done from your phone/tablet and the medicine will be provided by courier service.

In my case, I uploaded referral letter and medical notes confirming long-term use of Zolpidem.....  It is possible (and quite rightly) they may not be happy to prescribe this drug without first trying alternative options... 

Was this then shipped to you in Thailand? (Technically illegal).  By what means? 

[tgw]

43 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Was this then shipped to you in Thailand? (Technically illegal).  By what means? 

 

Dr. Anywhere seems to be a local company:

https://www.doctoranywhere.co.th

 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, tgw said:

 

Dr. Anywhere seems to be a local company:

https://www.doctoranywhere.co.th

 

Interesting indeed. First I have heard of them. Will be especially interested to see if they can obtain other drugs no off market, or otherwise hard to source,  here.

[tgw]

26 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Interesting indeed. First I have heard of them. Will be especially interested to see if they can obtain other drugs no off market, or otherwise hard to source,  here.

 

30 baht a pill is a prohibition / smuggler price though.

[Sheryl]

27 minutes ago, tgw said:

 

30 baht a pill is a prohibition / smuggler price though.

If you read the earlier posts in this thread it was always extremely expensive. E.g. 5000 baht to fill a script.

[ricklev]

26 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

If you read the earlier posts in this thread it was always extremely expensive. E.g. 5000 baht to fill a script.

Around 70-80 baht per pill last time I got it at Bangkok Christian Hospital.  The consultation was about 800 baht if I remember correctly. It was a few years ago. I am not sure if it is still available there. 

Edited May 23 by ricklev

[tgw]

19 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If you read the earlier posts in this thread it was always extremely expensive. E.g. 5000 baht to fill a script.

 

except when I got it from the government hospital, it was normal price.

[arjunadawn]

On 8/13/2020 at 11:18 AM, Sheryl said:

It is illegal to bring in medications without an FFA import license (exception being with you when you enter the country). In practice customs will often let small quantities through but not of controlled substances which Zolpidem is. Don't risk it, you could get in real trouble.

 

 

I had a sleep study in BKK last month. They gave me zolpidam/ambien. It has a very shirt have life so 3 hours later I woke (chronic insomnia) they told me I could also take my existing Thai Rx of Clonezapam- long half life- in order to sleep. In any event, no one is getting these meds easily. 

[ricklev]

35 minutes ago, arjunadawn said:

I had a sleep study in BKK last month. They gave me zolpidam/ambien. It has a very shirt have life so 3 hours later I woke (chronic insomnia) they told me I could also take my existing Thai Rx of Clonezapam- long half life- in order to sleep. In any event, no one is getting these meds easily. 

My experience of getting benzos and zolpidem in Thailand involved going into any hospital or clinic and honestly saying I have trouble sleeping but benzos/zollpidem help and then receiving as many of the type I asked for in the dosage I asked for. It could not have been easier other than just going directly to a pharmacy if that was possible. 

 

However, I do think benzos etc.are horrible long-term and difficult to quit.  I will never take another one. 

Edited May 29 by ricklev

[Satcommlee]

On 5/23/2024 at 1:08 PM, Sheryl said:

Was this then shipped to you in Thailand? (Technically illegal).  By what means? 

Nothing illegal, they are licenced in Thailand and the doctors are registered in Thailand. They are getting on the telemedicine bandwagon.

 It was delivered by Kerry, from a pharmacy in Bangkok....  30 baht is very cheap, was paying 100 baht at BKK hospital.

However, after online appointment and new prescription last night they told me "Zolpidem is currently out of stock and we are waiting for the restocking process from the Ministry of Public Health. The expected restocking process will start from August 2024 onwards."

So maybe will end up going back to BKK hospital, but the concept is very good..

 

[Sheryl]

37 minutes ago, Satcommlee said:

Nothing illegal, they are licenced in Thailand and the doctors are registered in Thailand. They are getting on the telemedicine bandwagon.

 It was delivered by Kerry, from a pharmacy in Bangkok....  30 baht is very cheap, was paying 100 baht at BKK hospital.

However, after online appointment and new prescription last night they told me "Zolpidem is currently out of stock and we are waiting for the restocking process from the Ministry of Public Health. The expected restocking process will start from August 2024 onwards."

So maybe will end up going back to BKK hospital, but the concept is very good..

 

Sorry, I initially thought the company was overseas and shipping to you from there. Nothing illegal about telemedicine consult and shipping meds within Thailand.