Does anybody know if antidepressants are available OTC?

3 hours ago, stubuzz said:

Does anybody know if antidepressants are available OTC?

If you think you need it see a psychiatrist.

Yes, no, legally, script or no script, but technically, probably NO, but I've never had a problem getting anything, some not to be sold without a script. TIT

That's just my experience, trying just about every restricted thing I could think of when dealing with shingles.

Others will agree, or tell you I'm full of it, and you have to have a script for just about anything, but that wasn't my experience. Anything I wanted, I purchased, no questions.

I bought 10mg Diazepam last week, another restricted drug. No script, No prob.

Unless you know what you're doing, see a doc, a consultation, get a script.

Edited May 22May 22 by KhunLA

Most antidepressants are OTC in Thailand but that does not make it a good idea to self prescribe.

Unless you are just seeking to buy a medication you have already been prescribed/taken, see a psychiatrist first.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Most antidepressants are OTC in Thailand but that does not make it a good idea to self prescribe.

Unless you are just seeking to buy a medication you have already been prescribed/taken, see a psychiatrist first.

Sorry to dissapoint some of the new members, but I have been prescribed a low dose of Nortriptyline to help with IBS. It would be more convenient to refill in Thailand than to visit the doctor in my current location.

Antidepressants are crappy enough for hardly anyone wanting to abuse them, so that's probably why you can get them without a prescription.

35 minutes ago, stubuzz said:

Sorry to dissapoint some of the new members, but I have been prescribed a low dose of Nortriptyline to help with IBS. It would be more convenient to refill in Thailand than to visit the doctor in my current location.

You could have actually lead with that. Yes, it is a controlled drug, supposedly requiring a script. I had no problem buying it's cousin, Amitriptyline, also controlled, due to long list of side effects, including suicidal thoughts ... 🙄

Luck of the draw buying without a script, though may only give you a small amount.

You can buy from the Thai manufacturer of ... GPO

https://pertento.fda.moph.go.th/FDA_SEARCH_DRUG/SEARCH_DRUG/pop-up_drug.aspx?Newcode_U=U1DR1A1022650017111C

@ Location, link below

Or you can shop online, if these MedTide locations are not convenient ...

Location link for GPO ...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Government+Pharmaceutical+Organization+(GPO)/@13.7666389,100.5286326,740m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m8!3m7!1s0x30e29ea402780d8b:0x84dbb38740b0340d!8m2!3d13.7666389!4d100.5286326!9m1!1b1!16s%2Fg%2F1tdpp30z!5m1!1e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUxNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Edited May 22May 22 by KhunLA

Just now, KhunLA said:

You could have actually lead with that. Yes, it is a controlled drug, supposedly requiring a script. I had no problem buying it's cousin, Amitriptyline, also controlled, due to long list of side effects, including suicidal thoughts ... 🙄

Luck of the draw buying without a script, though may only give you a small amount.

It is NOT a controlled drug and it does not require a script.

It is OTC in Thailand and most pharmacies carry it.

Ditto Amitriptyline.

I have never before heard of anyone having trouble being these drugs without a prescription. Possibly you have tried at pharmacies that do not have a grade 1 pharmacist? As that is the only legal requirement for sale.

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Luck of the draw buying without a script, though may only give you a small amount.

There is a gastroenterologist clinic near my house. I suppose I could get a script if needed.

Thanks to all who have helped.

Edited May 22May 22 by stubuzz

11 minutes ago, stubuzz said:

There is a gastroenterologist clinic near my house. I suppose I could get a script if needed.

I edited my post above, and if & when purchasing, let us know how that went, as different opinions if script needed or not.

If at BKK, I think MedTide will deliver same day if order in early.

From Govt link above ...

Edited May 22May 22 by KhunLA

14 hours ago, Sheryl said:

It is NOT a controlled drug and it does not require a script.

It is OTC in Thailand and most pharmacies carry it.

Ditto Amitriptyline.

I have never before heard of anyone having trouble being these drugs without a prescription. Possibly you have tried at pharmacies that do not have a grade 1 pharmacist? As that is the only legal requirement for sale.

Yes. And of course, the big foreign pharmacies Boots & Watsons are useless. Won't even sell you aspirin!

31 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Yes. And of course, the big foreign pharmacies Boots & Watsons are useless. Won't even sell you aspirin!

Boots and Watsons are large chains internationally but, in Thailand at least, they are not big pharmacies, quite the opposite. In Thailand they sell mainly cosmetics and have just tiny pharmacy counters with very limited stock.

15 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I edited my post above, and if & when purchasing, let us know how that went, as different opinions if script needed or not.

If at BKK, I think MedTide will deliver same day if order in early.

From Govt link above ...

Please provide a link to this as it is inaccurate and I suspect is AI summary rather than actual government site. And/or a significant mistranslation.

This and most other drugs, from antibiotics to BP medications to other antidepressents, are Thai FDA category "D". This does stand for "Dangerous Drug" but is not the same as a controlled drug and definitely does not require a prescription. It just requires a trained pharmacist on duty (less common than one might think, often the people behind pharmacy counters are not pharmacists) and they are supposed to keep sales records. Both requirements are not always observed, especially the latter, but for sure no requirement for a prescription.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Please provide a link to this as it is inaccurate and I suspect is AI summary rather than actual government site. And/or a significant mistranslation.

This and most other drugs, from antibiotics to BP medications to other antidepressents, are Thai FDA category "D". This does stand for "Dangerous Drug" but is not the same as a controlled drug and definitely does not require a prescription. It just requires a trained pharmacist on duty (less common than one might think, often the people behind pharmacy counters are not pharmacists) and they are supposed to keep sales records. Both requirements are not always observed, especially the latter, but for sure no requirement for a prescription.

As stated, link was already provided above ... again:

https://pertento.fda.moph.go.th/FDA_SEARCH_DRUG/SEARCH_DRUG/pop-up_drug.aspx?Newcode_U=U1DR1A1022650017111C

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

As stated, link was already provided above ... again:

https://pertento.fda.moph.go.th/FDA_SEARCH_DRUG/SEARCH_DRUG/pop-up_drug.aspx?Newcode_U=U1DR1A1022650017111C

The only thing this page says is that the legislative class is "Dangerous Drug". Which is is. So is Amoxicillin and well over 80% of all medications.

It does not say that a prescription is required. It just sayss that this drug (like most) is Thai FDA category D.

Category "D" ("ยาอันตราย" which can also be translated as risky drugs, or drugs with potential pitfalls) covers the overwhelming majority of medications, including most antibiotics, BP medications, NSAIDs, aspirin, etc etc etc. Drugs in this category can be sold over the counter without prescription but only by registered pharmacists. As opposed to non-dangerous drugs, a much smaller category which can be sold at 7-11s etc. There is also a category S, ("special controlled") which is same as "D" except that a prescription is required. only a few drugs have that classification, most notably ED drugs.

Controlled drugs are categories P2/P3/P4/N2/N3 and can only be sold by persons/facilities with a special license which generally means a clinic or hospital. This tends to be strictly adhered to/enforced.