Sleeping Tablets

[ukrules]

I have been using sleeping tablets (Dormicum / Midazolam) during and after long flights for years now, I first started using them during a flight back to London from Rio about six or seven years ago. They are prescription only.

Before I used these tablets I slept for no more than maybe a couple of minutes at a time despite being on overnight flights lasting 10-12 hours. I did anything to avoid long haul flights for years because of this problem and I really felt so bad due to tiredness but could not sleep no matter what I did. At home I can sleep whenever I'm tired so it only happens on planes, I think it's the movement / noise whilst travelling.

Anyway I have been using something called Dormicum which is Midazolam 7.5mg tablets, normally I take 2 of them and if I wake up within about 3 hours I will take 1 more for a total of between 6-8 hours of sleep.

I would like to buy some here in Bangkok for use during my next trip home to England which will be next week, I brought a few over with me but used them up combating the jetlag once I got here a couple of months back.

I've tried various pharmacies and even the new 'hospital' opposite Hanrahans bar in Suk Soi 4. At this 'hospital' they told me that I can only get them from Bumrungrad. Coming from England it sounds a bit strange to go to a hospital to get a prescription.

Has anyone here been to Bumrungrad before for a prescription. If so can you please tell me about the procedure, will it cost much, do I need to make an appointment in advance to see a doctor, how long will I have to wait, etc, etc.

Also - I know there are various other types of sleeping medication available, I've tried a couple of them including the commonly available Xiemed / Xanax which doesnt have much affect on me and I'm reasonably sure it's not as good as what I currently use. The reason I really want to stick with Dormicum is that it works perfectly for what I need and leaves me with no side effects, when I wake I feel great, no residual sleepiness, etc. I dont want to use any of the supposedly much stronger drugs like valium, etc.

Note - this is not to be confused with the IV version of Midazolam which should only ever be administered under the care of an anaesthetist. I'm talking about the tablet form in 7.5mg or 15mg doses.

Any information would be appreciated as to doctors to see / places to get this from.

Thanks !

[zorro1]

Was`there a few weeks back for my medical checkup. To see a doc will cost you around 800bht plus the cost of medicines. You should be in and out within an hour they are very professional and quick. Alternatively go to the big chemist cnr of soi 3 and 4 and give them the generic name, They got everything there

[ukrules]

Was`there a few weeks back for my medical checkup. To see a doc will cost you around 800bht plus the cost of medicines. You should be in and out within an hour they are very professional and quick. Alternatively go to the big chemist cnr of soi 3 and 4 and give them the generic name, They got everything there

Thanks - where exactly is this Chemist - I went to the large one next door (on the left) to Bullys pub near the corner of Sukhumvit / Soi 4, if this is the one then they already told me no chance for Dormicum and offered something generic completely different called Tryptanol which is an anti depressant.

[zorro1]

Yes that's the one. The other big one is on Sukhumvit soi15 on the left heading towards Robinson's. If they cant help then you need to go to the Hospital

[Bangyai]

Dormicon and Xanax used to be available over the counter but are now perscription drugs only. You'll be lucky to find a chemist who will give them out without a doctors letter.. You might try asking for zolam, the locally made equivelent of xanax.

[zorro1]

generic is better than nothing I guess if your in a hurry for travel etc

Edited August 21, 2008 by zorro1

[Sheryl]

Please remmevbr forum rules re discussion of illegal activities, which would extend to the OTC purchase of drugs which are restricted to prescrption only.

And in any case OP is specifically looking for Midazolam and has said that Xanax doesn't owrk for him

OP, it is not legal to sell OTC here. It's also not in common use/demand here.

Since you have to see a doctor anyway to get it (they will fill it from the hospital pharmacy, not give a prescription) you might as well see one who specializes in sleep diosorders..unless there is something else you need done. Physiocal check-up packages here are pretty reasonable.

[ukrules]

Since you have to see a doctor anyway to get it (they will fill it from the hospital pharmacy, not give a prescription) you might as well see one who specializes in sleep diosorders..unless there is something else you need done. Physiocal check-up packages here are pretty reasonable.

Ok thanks, do I need to make an appointment or would you advise just turning up ?

[zorro1]

Turn up and the hospital is your best bet as they have an internal pharmacy with original meds only

[Old Man River]

Since you have to see a doctor anyway to get it (they will fill it from the hospital pharmacy, not give a prescription) you might as well see one who specializes in sleep diosorders..unless there is something else you need done. Physiocal check-up packages here are pretty reasonable.

Ok thanks, do I need to make an appointment or would you advise just turning up ?

You can either just turn up or make an appointment. Up to you. The hospital's website is: http://www.bumrungrad.com/

[Sheryl]

If you want to have a physical check-up you can just turnup at the health screening unit (I think 9th floor but double check) in the morning but be sure not to have eaten or drubk anything from midnight the night before (once your blood has been drawn you can eat). You see a doctor at the end of the process to get your results and can ask for the prescription then.

If you want to see a doc specializing in sleep problems or other specialist you'd best check the website for hours as there are a finite number of them, and an appointment while not mandatory is advisable.

If you just want to see any doc for the script only walking in will work. But you may as well get some value for your money as you're going to pay a consultation fee...

[nomit76]

If you just need 10 tablets you can just show up at Bumrungrad and ask to see a doctor.

Explain you need some sleeping pills for a long flight and jetlag recovery and you'll get your pills no problem. Done it myself several times before.

[Lance_A_Lot]

In Pattaya anyway, some prescription products, thought to be available only at hospital pharmacies, can be obtained through certain physicians at their private clinics vs. at hospital pharmacies. It usually costs less to see a doctor at a clinic than at a hospital, except perhaps at certain governmnet hospitals.

[podgey]

Anyone know why sleeping pills are prescription only in Thaialnd? What was the catalyst for that new law? Australia are very restrictive about meds but you can still buy slepping pills over the counter at any local chemist shop.

[BangkokHank]

Anyone know why sleeping pills are prescription only in Thaialnd? What was the catalyst for that new law? Australia are very restrictive about meds but you can still buy slepping pills over the counter at any local chemist shop.

My guess is that it has to do with the fear by the Thai authorities of some people using the sleeping pills on people other than themselves, such as by putting them in people's drinks in bars and such. I'm sure this decision was made based on their experience.

Edited August 27, 2008 by BangkokHank

[jackyseymour]

Anyone know why sleeping pills are prescription only in Thaialnd? What was the catalyst for that new law? Australia are very restrictive about meds but you can still buy slepping pills over the counter at any local chemist shop.

You most certainly cannot buy them over the counter in the UK either. It's not only Thailand. Although, there are of course a few pharmacies where they will turn a blind eye for the baht.

[zorro1]

Anyone know why sleeping pills are prescription only in Thaialnd? What was the catalyst for that new law? Australia are very restrictive about meds but you can still buy slepping pills over the counter at any local chemist shop.

Absolutely you CANNOT buy them over the counter in Australia.

[Straight8]

Anyone know why sleeping pills are prescription only in Thaialnd? What was the catalyst for that new law? Australia are very restrictive about meds but you can still buy slepping pills over the counter at any local chemist shop.

Absolutely you CANNOT buy them over the counter in Australia.

Agreed, Australia has very stringent laws about what you can purchase over the counter, and trust me, there are not that many. You virtually need a prescription for everything, other than the most common stuff, like cough med, asprins, paracetamol etc etc

[judewil]

Anyone know why sleeping pills are prescription only in Thaialnd? What was the catalyst for that new law? Australia are very restrictive about meds but you can still buy slepping pills over the counter at any local chemist shop.

You cannot buy sleeping pills over the counter at any local chemist in Austrlia. You have to have a doctors prescription.

[Groongthep]

Your chances of getting a legitimate doctor at Bumrungrad to prescribe you Midazolam so you can sleep on the plane are pretty close to zero. Midazolam is an extremely powerful drug used for pre operative anesthesia and for induced amnesia. It used to be available illegally under the counter at some chemists (pharmacies) along Sukhumvit but those days are long gone.

[bubba]

Agreed. I use Ambien for long distance flights and always had the same source at a chemist shop in Sukhumvit. I had been buying them for years there and they knew me well. About a year ago, I was informed that they were no longer available due to, yes, yet another "crackdown". My solution was to see my regular doctor at Bumrungrad, who had no problem dispensing ten tablets of Ambien for me. The price of the tablets was actually a bit lower than what I had been paying, and the consultation cost 700 baht. No problems, and at least I'm sure the tablets aren't Chinese fakes.

By the way, ask your physician first, but I highly recommend Ambien (Zolpidem). It has a rather short plasma half live of about 2.5 hours, and doesn't typically leave you with a spaced out "hangover".