Is Buprenorphine available as pain medicine in Thailand now?

[ericdk]

I have a prescription for chronic pain and long history of successful use, can I get it in Thailand? I believe you are only allowed to bring 1 month with you into Thailand.

[mokwit]

Yes (listed in Thai MIMS). You will require a prescription, probably from a hospital doctor.

 

@Sheryl  may be able to add to this.

[ericdk]

I wrote Bumrungrad and asked about it, waiting for answer.

[Sheryl]

Actually, although the drug as a generic is approved for use in Thailand, there does not seem to be any registered brand of it here as far as I can tyell.

 

If it is available, would have to come from a hospital pharmacy based on prescription by a doctor at that hospital. Best to see a pain specialist for that.

 

Doubt you will get much from emailing Bumrungrad, emails are usually not read or answered by medically trained people.

 

It is a schedule 2 narcotic, so if bringing it in with you, you need first a permit from the MOPH FDA (not as hard to get as it sounds, but need to do in advance)

 

https://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/nct_permit_main/Upload/Guidance for Travelers who travel into Thailand_21092024.pdf

 

The good news is that, as per the attached which was issued September 2024,  you can bring 90 day supply with you once you have the permit.

 

 

[ericdk]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Actually, although the drug as a generic is approved for use in Thailand, there does not seem to be any registered brand of it here as far as I can tyell.

 

If it is available, would have to come from a hospital pharmacy based on prescription by a doctor at that hospital. Best to see a pain specialist for that.

 

Doubt you will get much from emailing Bumrungrad, emails are usually not read or answered by medically trained people.

 

It is a schedule 2 narcotic, so if bringing it in with you, you need first a permit from the MOPH FDA (not as hard to get as it sounds, but need to do in advance)

 

https://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/nct_permit_main/Upload/Guidance for Travelers who travel into Thailand_21092024.pdf

 

The good news is that, as per the attached which was issued September 2024,  you can bring 90 day supply with you once you have the permit.

 

 

 

Thanks Sheryl, I would rather get a script in Thailand, also because the waiting time here is so long, I might not get one in time. 

 

It was very easy to get a script for tramadol last time in Bumrungrad, but they probably think buprenorphine is more serious, even though it is exactly the opposite back home.

[IvorBiggun2]

Buprenorphine is prescribed by a medical doctor at the dose of 8mg per day for 2 – 4 days for withdrawals. Buprenorphine is not widely available in Bangkok, Thailand, but it is possible for some doctors to order this medication.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, ericdk said:

 

Thanks Sheryl, I would rather get a script in Thailand, also because the waiting time here is so long, I might not get one in time. 

 

It was very easy to get a script for tramadol last time in Bumrungrad, but they probably think buprenorphine is more serious, even though it is exactly the opposite back home.

Tramadol does not even require a script, it is sold over the counter in Thailand.

 

Buprenorphine however is controlled, hospital only and as I explained, nto at all sure hospitals will have it since no registered brand available in Thailand as far as I can tell.

 

So you risk not being able to get buprenorphine here.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Buprenorphine is prescribed by a medical doctor at the dose of 8mg per day for 2 – 4 days for withdrawals. Buprenorphine is not widely available in Bangkok, Thailand, but it is possible for some doctors to order this medication.

Please edit this to show source. Or - if it is AI, so indicate and I will delete it. AI is worse than useless when it comes to medical information for Thailand (not much use anywhere else, either).

 

AFAIK there is no registered brand of this drug in Thailand, so only if a hospital went to the trouble of importing it themselves, might it be available.

[ericdk]

Bumrungrad says they don't have it.

 

8mg is for withdrawals, not for pain, which is 0.2-0.4 mg pr. dose typically.