I am on Tikosyn/dofetilide 250mcg BID for atrial fibrillation and am wondering if this drug is easily available in Thailand. I am only able to get a 30 day supply at a time in the US because of insurance restrictions, which is very inconvenient for travelling. If I have a copy of my US prescrption will I able to get it filled? I am willing to find a cardiologist in Thailand if I need to. We will be in Bangkok and Chiang Mai this January, and may end up spending our winters in Thailand as soon as my husband retires in 2009.

Thanks for any advice,

Renee

Renee,

It seems not to be as yet licensed for use in Thailand, which means that if available at all it would only be so through a hospital pharmacy....and it will be at least as expensive as back home. You could email places like Bumrungrad, Samitivej and Bangkok Hospitals (all have websites and ask if their pharmacies carry the drug. But since it is going to cost you at least as much as it would have back home, you may do just as well to buy a supply out of pocket before you leave.

Alternatively, you could ask your cardiologist whether or not you might be able to swirtch to amiodarone, an older medication in the same class as tikosyn, and widely available ion cheap generic form in Thailand.

Sheryl,

Thank you so much for the information. I was originally on Amiodarone, but the potential side effects seem so much worse than on the Tikosyn, my MD was anxious for me to make that switch.

Renee,

It seems not to be as yet licensed for use in Thailand, which means that if available at all it would only be so through a hospital pharmacy....and it will be at least as expensive as back home. You could email places like Bumrungrad, Samitivej and Bangkok Hospitals (all have websites and ask if their pharmacies carry the drug. But since it is going to cost you at least as much as it would have back home, you may do just as well to buy a supply out of pocket before you leave.

Alternatively, you could ask your cardiologist whether or not you might be able to swirtch to amiodarone, an older medication in the same class as tikosyn, and widely available ion cheap generic form in Thailand.