do they have this prescription medicine in Thailand

[Koratdave3]

Hello all

We are hoping to move to Thailand however there may be a stopper.

Our soon to be 8 year old daughter suffers from Absence Epilepsy.

It is currently being treated with "Ethosuximide".

It has kept her from seizures.

Also if she were to have a seizure we have the nasal spray "Valtoco"

I emailed Bumrungrad Hospital and asked if they used it to treat 

epilepsy. They said they do not stock it there, and they did not know

if any other hospitals had or used it.

I'm wondering if anyone on the forum has a family member who is 

being treated for Epilepsy or if you would know of anyone who might.

I truly need some guidance in this.

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm just trying to find out if the meds are available in Thailand.

If they are not we will not be able to move there.

Thank you all so much.

[CharlieKo]

 

Try Chulalongkorn Hospital.

 

 

https://chulalongkornhospital.go.th/kcmh/en/ec/ศูนย์ความเป็นเลิศทางก-24/

[retarius]

I am surprised that Bumrungrad do not stock it. It is a very old drug from the 1960's and on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines....there are many newer medicines that are supposed to be safer than ethosuximide. But I have been looking for good old quinine to stop my night cramps here, and apparently it is not available in Thailand "because it causes arrhythmias". 

I use Bumrungrad for all my more serious medical issues, and they seem to have access to any drug in the world....

[Crossy]

This would do better in Medical where those that knows live.

 

Moving there.

[sandyf]

27 minutes ago, retarius said:

But I have been looking for good old quinine to stop my night cramps here, and apparently it is not available in Thailand "because it causes arrhythmias".

As far as I am aware it is still available as Gin & Tonic. Quinnine doesn't cause arrhythmia but not recommended for anyone that has it. It was mainly for malaria and has been superceded.

I have atrial fibrillation and a couple of years ago I was visiting my brother and had a severe attack of cramp. My brother said here take this tablet he had got from the doctor for cramp, when the pain had died down I read the label, it was a quinine tablet.

I have suffered alot from cramp since since I hurt my back about 10 years ago. Not a lot can be done many put it down to certain deficiencies and I have seen reports of bananas(potassium) helping. I use ibufrofen gel for serious episodes, relaxes the muscle quickly and takes away the residual pain so you can get back to sleep.

[Koratdave3]

8 hours ago, CharlieKo said:

 

Try Chulalongkorn Hospital.

 

 

https://chulalongkornhospital.go.th/kcmh/en/ec/ศูนย์ความเป็นเลิศทางก-24/

Thank you. I will try contacting them today.

[Koratdave3]

7 hours ago, retarius said:

I am surprised that Bumrungrad do not stock it. It is a very old drug from the 1960's and on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines....there are many newer medicines that are supposed to be safer than ethosuximide. But I have been looking for good old quinine to stop my night cramps here, and apparently it is not available in Thailand "because it causes arrhythmias". 

I use Bumrungrad for all my more serious medical issues, and they seem to have access to any drug in the world....

Yes, I'm pretty surprised too. It's a very good hospital. you would think they would stock it. I will keep checking around.

Thank you for the reply. 

[Koratdave3]

7 hours ago, Crossy said:

This would do better in Medical where those that knows live.

 

Moving there.

got it . Thank you

[kimamey]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:23 PM, Koratdave3 said:

Hello all

We are hoping to move to Thailand however there may be a stopper.

Our soon to be 8 year old daughter suffers from Absence Epilepsy.

It is currently being treated with "Ethosuximide".

It has kept her from seizures.

Also if she were to have a seizure we have the nasal spray "Valtoco"

I emailed Bumrungrad Hospital and asked if they used it to treat 

epilepsy. They said they do not stock it there, and they did not know

if any other hospitals had or used it.

I'm wondering if anyone on the forum has a family member who is 

being treated for Epilepsy or if you would know of anyone who might.

I truly need some guidance in this.

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm just trying to find out if the meds are available in Thailand.

If they are not we will not be able to move there.

Thank you all so much.

 

Is there an alternative that would work? Not as serious but there were a couple of tablets I used to take in the UK for high blood pressure but they didn't have them here so they gave me alternatives which my UK doctor said were fine.

 

It would be terrible if your plans were ruined by not being able to secure, what seems to be a common treatment, or alternative.

[Koratdave3]

23 hours ago, kimamey said:

 

Is there an alternative that would work? Not as serious but there were a couple of tablets I used to take in the UK for high blood pressure but they didn't have them here so they gave me alternatives which my UK doctor said were fine.

 

It would be terrible if your plans were ruined by not being able to secure, what seems to be a common treatment, or alternative.

Hello Kimamey

Thank you for responding.

Yes, it sure would be rather upsetting.

I am currently looking into alternative medicines.

I emailed a couple of hospitals in Thailand and they did say they probably have alternative medicines.

I was hoping they would have the current meds available there, as they have kept the seizures at bay.

And I've always been a firm believer in"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

However, I'll keep an open mind on this...

The ideal situation would be that she outgrows the epilepsy before we head out.

Her neurologist told us many people do outgrow it So we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Thank you very much for your concern. I'll post any updates.

 

 

[LosLobo]

Have you tried 

MedConsult Clinic | International Medical Clinic in Bangkok (medconsultasia.com 

or  Pharmacy Refill Service | MedConsult Clinic (medconsultasia.com?

The doctor there is a UK GP and also qualified in Thailand.

Possibly she may be able to fill International prescriptions from overseas.

[Mike Lister]

From what I have read, it seems you may find it in specialist neurological hospitals rather than all purpose general hospitals. Below is a link to the Chiang Mai neurological hospital, it may be worth asking them.

 

https://www.cmneuro.go.th/TH/index.php

[Sheryl]

 

Please do not make duplicate posts in multiple topics. I have removed your other post.

 

Ethosuximide is the preferred drug for absence seizures in children, and is indeed not available in Thailand.

 

Valproate is available here but has a higher rate of adverse effects in children.

 

See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6464603/

 

Regarding the Valtoco, that is just a nasal spray form of diazepam and regular diazepam is available here.

 

I would frankly reconsider the move if I were you.

 

If you do move here, I recommend it be to Bangkok or its  outskirts as you will have access there to specialists in  pediatric neuroology. There are not very many of them in Thailand.

 

[Koratdave3]

On 1/20/2024 at 8:38 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Please do not make duplicate posts in multiple topics. I have removed your other post.

 

Ethosuximide is the preferred drug for absence seizures in children, and is indeed not available in Thailand.

 

Valproate is available here but has a higher rate of adverse effects in children.

 

See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6464603/

 

Regarding the Valtoco, that is just a nasal spray form of diazepam and regular diazepam is available here.

 

I would frankly reconsider the move if I were you.

 

If you do move here, I recommend it be to Bangkok or its  outskirts as you will have access there to specialists in  pediatric neuroology. There are not very many of them in Thailand.

 

Thank you so very much for your information.

We have an appointment with our daughter's neurologist in March.

Pending his advice and results of upcoming EEG exams (2), we will make our decision. 

Also, if we were to move, it would not be for 1-2 years. But, our decision will be made based on 

her specialists evaluation and test results. 

Thank you very much for all of your information.

Truly value your input.