Looking for Cheaper Tadalafil & Other Generics + SSO Coverage Advice

[ricklev]

One of the rare times a drug is much cheaper in the USA:

 

https://www.costplusdrugs.com/medications/tadalafil-5mg-tablet/

[msbkk]

7 hours ago, Globenauta said:

 

Apcalis? I never heard of it before :-) I usually check for approved meds on this website: https://www.mims.com/thailand/drug

I'm currently using Talafil by Millimed

Apcalis is not approved in Thailand and only sold at certain pharmacies. I personally tried it and it had not the same effect as the expensive original versions.

[scorecard]

12 hours ago, Upnotover said:

I answered this in an earlier question. I don't care if it's legal, or if they are reputable, but it works. At least the side effects are the same as the stuff I used to get from the UK NHS. I take it for prostate, but get the side effect benefits that others take it for.

 

For what prostate condition? Please share.

[Lorry]

6 hours ago, ricklev said:

One of the rare times a drug is much cheaper in the USA:

 

https://www.costplusdrugs.com/medications/tadalafil-5mg-tablet/

Tadalafil is also cheap in Europe. 

OP pays 80 B/5mg

Apcalis is 25 B/5mg (buy 20mg and a pill cutter), easy to find in Bangkok or Pattaya.

Price in Western Europe 10 B/5mg, Eastern Europe cheaper.

[Captor]

16 hours ago, Upnotover said:

"Tadarise-5". Indian. 

Thanks! Never hear of that. Good to know.

[Upnotover]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

For what prostate condition? Please share.

Mild BPH.  It doesn't treat the cause but relieves the symptoms, I was prescribed it by my GP in the UK 2 years ago and it has been effective, and my condition has remained stable.

[KhunBENQ]

On 1/14/2025 at 7:44 PM, Upnotover said:

I had 60 (generic) delivered yesterday. Never been a problem so far.

Got 30 pills some two weeks ago. First trial for me.

"Tadarise-5" (as above)

[KhunBENQ]

Some people seem unaware that the very most generic (non patented) medications come from India or China. Recently read that in a trade war China could stop antibiotic export and pose a real big problem.

A factory burned down in India and an important medication was on world wide shortage.

Big western pharma is uninterested in these medications as they don't make the huge profits.

[GarryP]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

For what prostate condition? Please share.

It is used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. In addition, the daily 5mg dosage for BPH also supports treatment for ED.  

[GarryP]

12 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Some people seem unaware that the very most generic (non patented) medications come from India or China. Recently read that in a trade war China could stop antibiotic export and pose a real big problem.

A factory burned down in India and an important medication was on world wide shortage.

Big western pharma is uninterested in these medications as they don't make the huge profits.

While the patent expired years ago on Cialis (tadalafil), the last time I checked, no generic versions had been registered with the THai FDA, which seems strange.  

[FritsSikkink]

On 1/14/2025 at 2:56 PM, Sheryl said:

SSO will cover it if a doctor at your nominated SSO hospital prescribes it

 

 

Hello Sheryl, is there a complete list somewhere what is covered by SSO and what isn't?

[KhunLA]

10 hours ago, ricklev said:

One of the rare times a drug is much cheaper in the USA:

 

https://www.costplusdrugs.com/medications/tadalafil-5mg-tablet/

Yes, some statins are also cheaper at Costco (USA), <$6 a month.  Along with so many others.  

 

On Topic ... from past pricing here / TH, my local pharmacy is cheaper for most everything, than what's available online.  With statin being the exception, as not offered.  Only one other script was a wee bit cheaper online, but I prefer to support my local pharmacy, so they stay in business for all the other less expensive things I may need in the future.

 

Medisafe was cheaper across the board, than MedTide.  The only 2 online vendors that I compared  pricing.  Against my local govt hospital, & pharmacy, with pharmacy the clear better choice.

 

4 different local pharmacies, and 2 were silly priced, 1 located in Lotus's (old Health Up), wasn't too bad, if not pushing international brand.   You do need to ask for generic and or made in TH, IN.   Don't think I've bought anything made in CH.

 

You may even find a major pharmaceutical company making their own generic version with exact same ingredients at half price, which surprised me with 1 script I used in the past.  Unless you looked at the 'mfg by' and both from same in OZ, you'd never notice.

 

You find they cater to the markets, as same drug is like 30X the cost in the USA.  Still cheaper here, even if you had insurance in USA, as less than the deductible.  That's screwed up, if a Yank.

[Justanotherone]

why not try to find the root cause and do you really still need activity to live ?

[cdemundo]

34 minutes ago, Justanotherone said:

why not try to find the root cause and do you really still need activity to live ?

Is that what you say to cancer patients as well?

[cjinchiangrai]

On 1/14/2025 at 2:31 PM, Globenauta said:

Hi everyone,
 

I’m currently prescribed two medication:

 

- Tadalafil 5 mg (Talafil by Millimed): 2,316 THB for 30 pills
- Rosuvastatin 10 mg (Vivacor): 888 THB for 28 pills

I live in Samut Prakan and was wondering if anyone can recommend alternative (possibly cheaper) brands or pharmacies - either online or in-store - especially for Tadalafil.
 

Also, does anyone know if these specific medications are covered under Thailand’s Social Security system (SSO)?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

You doctor is not being nice. Simvastatin does the same job as Rosuvastatin for a fraction of the cost. The dosage may be different though. If you talk to a doctor at the public hospital, they will get you the generics that are bought for the whole country.

[kingstonkid]

On 1/14/2025 at 3:03 PM, scubascuba3 said:

In Pattaya people tend to buy the 20mg Apcalis and split to 4x5mg. Can try Medisafe Pharmacy in Bangkok, message or email them, on Facebook. 3x20mg is 200-300mg. Also Lilly is available 30x20mg but don't know how legit that it

 A lot of us in BKK doing that you can get the apcialis for 500 baht in NANA at the main pharmacy on Suk near Hermes.  Stay away from side streets

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Hello Sheryl, is there a complete list somewhere what is covered by SSO and what isn't?

Virtually everything is covered, inpatient and outpatient. Main exception would be drugs not on the MoPH list. Other exception are some medical devices, for example the special catheters used for cardiac ablation.

 

You can find that list here, but it is not complete as they are constantly adding to it . ALso some drugs I don't see on it, nonetheless people seem to get under SS. Whether because added more recently or hospitals just don't bother to charge, I am not sure.

https://pubmiddleware.mims.com/resource/document/82AE6301-4B56-473D-A76E-ADA40096A174/pdf/MIMS_1_2022

[Patong2021]

On 1/14/2025 at 3:03 AM, scubascuba3 said:

In Pattaya people tend to buy the 20mg Apcalis and split to 4x5mg. Can try Medisafe Pharmacy in Bangkok, message or email them, on Facebook. 3x20mg is 200-300mg. Also Lilly is available 30x20mg but don't know how legit that it

 

It is not recommended to split medications 3X or more. Even 2X  has a risk, albeit much lower.

Dividing pills  assumes that there is a consistent spread of the dose in the pill.  Unfortunately, the manufacturing process of a pill does not guarantee that the dose will be consistent through the entire pill. It could be more concentrated  in one part of the pill.  This matters if there is a need to maintain a set  amount of medication because of the drug's pharmacokinetics.  Statins can come in increments of 5. Because Tadalafil can be used to treat specific illnesses, an accurate dose may be more important than if it is to treat  ED.  It's not a critical issue for most people, but I do mention it as a caution.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

You doctor is not being nice. Simvastatin does the same job as Rosuvastatin for a fraction of the cost. The dosage may be different though. If you talk to a doctor at the public hospital, they will get you the generics that are bought for the whole country.

Actually rosuvastatin does have some advantages over simvastatin. Matters more for some patients than others. Especially advantageous if triglycerides are elevated as well as LDL. Many patients will do fine on Simva or aotrvastatin, but some do need rosuvastatin. The poster should discuss with his doctor where a change to Simvastatin would be appropriate in his specific case.

 

There are now many locally made generic forms of rosuvastatin now in Thailand. Brand names:

 

Cholestar

Crestatin

K-zuva

Otagil

Rosetta

Rostatin

Rosuva

Rovas

Surotin

 

Many  of these brands cost less than what that poster is taking (Vivacor, an import) . For example, Rosetta 10 mg is 365 baht for box of 30 here   https://bangkokdrugstore.com/product/rosetta-rosuvastatin-10-mg-box-of-30-tablets/

 

 

[cjinchiangrai]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

Actually rosuvastatin does have some advantages over simvastatin. Matters more for some patients than others. Especially advantageous if triglycerides are elevated as well as LDL. Many patients will do fine on Simva or aotrvastatin, but some do need rosuvastatin. The poster should discuss with his doctor where a change to Simvastatin would be appropriate in his specific case.

 

There are now many locally made generic forms of rosuvastatin now in Thailand. Brand names:

 

Cholestar

Crestatin

K-zuva

Otagil

Rosetta

Rostatin

Rosuva

Rovas

Surotin

 

Many  of these brands cost less than what that poster is taking (Vivacor, an import) . For example, Rosetta 10 mg is 365 baht for box of 30 here   https://bangkokdrugstore.com/product/rosetta-rosuvastatin-10-mg-box-of-30-tablets/

 

 

Or maybe there is a generic second pill for that. That is why a doctor is needed. What if Rosuvastatin is overmedicating? We do not know the specifics.