Help, Need Medicine

[Kees5]

My wife has had migraine problems most of her life. A few years ago a doctor in NZ prescribed her Corgard (or Nadolol), a beta blocker, as a regular daily maintenance , and it works wonders.

Unfortunately, it appears not to be available in Thailand. She's run out, and efforts to have it mailed from NZ have failed so far.

I'm not sure where else it may be available. It is produced in the US (Tennessee), so I assume it is FDA approved, and will be available there. Not sure if it needs a prescription everywhere. It is not a harmful or dangerous drug as such, and I'm sure there is no black market as 'recreational drug' in the stuff.

Has anyone any idea how to get some brought here. Is there any member who is likely to come to Thailand soon from the USA who could bring some? It is the only thing that works, and she's miserable without it. She has gone as far as to consider flying back to NZ to get a three months prescription made, but I wonder if there are any cheaper easier ways of doing it.

It isn't available in Laos eitehr, haven't tried Cambodja, VN or Malaysia/Singapore. If it were available there, she'd fly there tomorrow.

Anyone in those places who'd care to check? We tried many pharmacies in LOS, but no luck.

[JAS21]

My wife has had migraine problems most of her life. A few years ago a doctor in NZ prescribed her Corgard (or Nadolol), a beta blocker, as a regular daily maintenance , and it works wonders.

Unfortunately, it appears not to be available in Thailand. She's run out, and efforts to have it mailed from NZ have failed so far.

I'm not sure where else it may be available. It is produced in the US (Tennessee), so I assume it is FDA approved, and will be available there. Not sure if it needs a prescription everywhere. It is not a harmful or dangerous drug as such, and I'm sure there is no black market as 'recreational drug' in the stuff.

Has anyone any idea how to get some brought here. Is there any member who is likely to come to Thailand soon from the USA who could bring some? It is the only thing that works, and she's miserable without it. She has gone as far as to consider flying back to NZ to get a three months prescription made, but I wonder if there are any cheaper easier ways of doing it.

It isn't available in Laos eitehr, haven't tried Cambodja, VN or Malaysia/Singapore. If it were available there, she'd fly there tomorrow.

Anyone in those places who'd care to check? We tried many pharmacies in LOS, but no luck.

I just googled this http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s3705-s-CORGARD.aspx no idea if its ligit or not.

This is a big pharmecia near us..try? 0-2952-7831-32

[orchis]

Could you call Bangkok Hospital or their Pattaya branch?

They often have medicines not avilable in pharmacies.

You might have to go there and see a doctor first .

[Gary A]

Source;

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/45883

Doctors sometimes prescribe a daily medication to reduce the duration and frequency of migraine attacks. These medications are called prophylactic or preventive therapy. There are several classes of drugs approved for use as prophylactic migraine treatments.

Beta Blockers

No one knows how beta blockers prevent migraines, but they seem to. Beta blockers commonly used in migraine therapy include propranolol (Inderal), nadolol (Corgard), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), atenolol (Tenormin), and timolol (Blocadren).

[Kees5]

>I just googled this http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s3705-s-CORGARD.aspx no idea if its ligit or not.<

Thanks, trying that now. Not sure how customs will deal with that, but worth a try.

>No one knows how beta blockers prevent migraines, but they seem to. Beta blockers commonly used in migraine therapy include propranolol (Inderal), nadolol (Corgard), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), atenolol (Tenormin), and timolol (Blocadren).<

Tried atenolol, since I use that for high BP, but no effect except for sleepiness. May go see a Dr and try the others if available here.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Could you call Bangkok Hospital or their Pattaya branch?

They often have medicines not avilable in pharmacies.

You might have to go there and see a doctor first <

Tried several big hospitals including Bumrungrad-neurology. They said it wasn't used in Thailand - full stop. That was confirmed by several big pharmacies.

[Mobi]

Some of the beta blockers mentioned by GaryA are available over the counter in Thailand.

If you are desperate,why don't you consult a good doctor and ask if one of these other meds will do the same job as the one that isn't available here? Or even call your doctor back home?

[Sheryl]

Nadolol is approved for use in Thailand, altho I have not been able to determine under what brand names it is available.

Have you tried Fascino's? That is one of the largest and best, pharmacies and would be likely to have it or at least be able to tell you the local brand names and manufacturers.

If all else fails I suggest you call Pharmacie de la Gare in Phnom Penh, 855-23-430-205 or Mobile: 855-12-805-908 (not totally sure this number is up to date). The pharmacist speaks some English but better French so if a French speaker is on hand it may faciluitate communication a bit, although if you speak slowely and perservere you'll eventually succeed in English.

[Kees5]

Nadolol is approved for use in Thailand, altho I have not been able to determine under what brand names it is available.

Have you tried Fascino's? That is one of the largest and best, pharmacies and would be likely to have it or at least be able to tell you the local brand names and manufacturers.

Thanks Sheryl,

I tried fascino in Pattaya, they looked it up and said "Not available in Thailand ".

I do speak French, and may try your Cambodia option.

[GreatPretender]

The pharmacist at PIC Aka Pattaya International Hospital is one of the best in the Business. Even though a small hospital, he will track down the drug, find out if it is availiable anywhere in country, and go about ordering it if it is. The hospital puts a heafty markup on meds but he can get them to be a bit looser in pricing with drugs used to treat chronic conditions if you tell him that you will be here a certain time etc.

I have had a number of scripts that were not common here and he did this for me everytime. The guy is a true professional. (If he finds that Fachinos has the med, he will call them and you can go pick it up. From them. No hospital markup. Etc.)

That said, Bangkok Hospital usually has the latest meds in stock but the service is nothing like the guy at PIC/PIH.

He even called MERCK in Bangkok the maker of one of my meds to find out that, yes it was availiable in Thailand, that he could order it and they would send it from Bangkok direct from the distribution center. And he does it right then. Not come back Tuesday and I will get the answer. (Assuming that you pop in between 9-4-30. M-F.)

Another time I needed a drug not generally availiable in Thailand and he had it flown in from Malaysia.

Yes it was expensive at $76 for a 10 day supply but it costs about $120 in the USA.

[Kees5]

Thanks, GP, We'll go there right away, hoping he's there on saturdays.

[Sheryl]

If no luck, could also contact Bristol Myers office in Bangkok. I know that they previously did import Cogard into Thailand and possibly still have some on hand or would know who does.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Bldg., 10/10-11 Moo 16 Srinakarin Rd., Bangkaew-Banglee, Samut Prakarn, , Thailand

()66 02 758 7855, 66 02 758 7840 fax

If that fails, call the pharmacy in Cambodia. If any problem let me know as i am in regular cintact with friends in Cambodia. I will also be going there in a few weeks, however I won't get back for at least a month and soundsd like you are in a hurry....