hello,

i will be coming to thailand next month to study.

i am curious how i will be able to get hold of my asthma medication while i am there?

when in the uk, i have to get a repeat prescription from my doctor which has to be renewed with a checkup every 6 months or so - do i need to do something similar in thailand? or can i just buy the inhalers from a pharmacy?

thanks in advance

As a long term resident in Thailand, and a long term Asthma sufferer I can assure you that all common medications are available off the shelf without prescription.

Guess this might depend on what you're taking. Most drugs, however, are OTC here, very rarely would you need a prescription.

For example, I carry along a Ventolin Evohaler for "emergencies," but haven't used it in almost two years. Hmmm, might be time to buy a new one, reckon they do have an expiration date.

For maintenance, I use Symbicort, twice a day. Also OTC.

An American friend here uses another maintenance drug, forget the name right now, but it comes in a sort of flat "flying" saucer shaped plastic container about 2 inches diameter, also OTC.

Mac

Guess this might depend on what you're taking. Most drugs, however, are OTC here, very rarely would you need a prescription.

For example, I carry along a Ventolin Evohaler for "emergencies," but haven't used it in almost two years. Hmmm, might be time to buy a new one, reckon they do have an expiration date.

For maintenance, I use Symbicort, twice a day. Also OTC.

An American friend here uses another maintenance drug, forget the name right now, but it comes in a sort of flat "flying" saucer shaped plastic container about 2 inches diameter, also OTC.

Mac

tried to get Symbicort in Thailand but... "no have"

I think Symbicort IS sold in Thailand. Try Fascino or a large hospital pharmacy.

http://www.mims.com/Thailand/drug/search/Symbicort%20turbuhaler?AllFlag=ALL

As a long term resident in Thailand, and a long term Asthma sufferer I can assure you that all common medications are available off the shelf without prescription.

thank you very much

It's not quite that simple though. The BRANDING and sometimes delivery system are sometimes quite different. When going to the pharmacy bring info on the active chemicals/dose in the brand you are used to using. In a better pharmacy they can usually help you and if you just use classic rescue inhalers, almost everywhere can. In case there is a question about matching the chemicals, you can visit a local doc for not much money. Don't expect trained pharmacists at most Thai pharmacies.

Edited April 18, 201115 yr by Jingthing

Search MIMS (Thailand) (http://www.mims.com/ ) for the generic names of your medication and you will be able to get the different commercial names that should be available here.

I think Symbicort IS sold in Thailand. Try Fascino or a large hospital pharmacy.

http://www.mims.com/Thailand/drug/search/Symbicort%20turbuhaler?AllFlag=ALL

thanks for the info JT but Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital says no and that big pharmacy in north Pattaya concurred after searching their database. i use Symbicort very rarely and get whatever supply i need (with a thai prescription) whenever i'm in Singapore.

Search MIMS (Thailand) (http://www.mims.com/ ) for the generic names of your medication and you will be able to get the different commercial names that should be available here.

This site is intended for medical professionals

Naam; can register on the drop down lists as "other" in both the professions and specialty sections.

Registration is free.

I think Symbicort IS sold in Thailand. Try Fascino or a large hospital pharmacy.

http://www.mims.com/...ler?AllFlag=ALL

thanks for the info JT but Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital says no and that big pharmacy in north Pattaya concurred after searching their database. i use Symbicort very rarely and get whatever supply i need (with a thai prescription) whenever i'm in Singapore.

I'm rather surprised, suggest just checking some more of the largish pharmacies there in Pattaya area.

I've been buying Symbicort160 in the 120 dose size for three years now at the Rangsit Market here just north of Dom Muang. They've always had it in stock.

Mac

Inhalers and oral brochodilators are all available over the counter. About the only thing that would require a prre3sectiption would be if your asthma was severe enough to require corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone/prednisolone), those have to be gotten fro ma doctor.

Symbicort is available in Thailand. The distributor is DKSH. Naam, I suggest you contact them as they would know which if any pharmacies in Pattaya they have supplied it to.

Tel: 0 2220 9000, 1364 (Call Center)

Fax: 0 2220 9090

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.dksh.com

I think Symbicort IS sold in Thailand. Try Fascino or a large hospital pharmacy.

http://www.mims.com/Thailand/drug/search/Symbicort%20turbuhaler?AllFlag=ALL

you were right JT. got it from Fascino. thanks!

Inhalers and oral brochodilators are all available over the counter. About the only thing that would require a prre3sectiption would be if your asthma was severe enough to require corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone/prednisolone), those have to be gotten fro ma doctor.

Symbicort is available in Thailand. The distributor is DKSH. Naam, I suggest you contact them as they would know which if any pharmacies in Pattaya they have supplied it to.

Tel: 0 2220 9000, 1364 (Call Center)

Fax: 0 2220 9090

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.dksh.com

Sheryl, I am suprised about "(e.g. prednisone/prednisolone), those have to be gotten from a doctor". I have picked this up from several different drug stores over the counter. Not that I doubt there may be a legal requirement but it appears readily available. Note - I am certainly not advocating its indiscriminate use.

Guess this might depend on what you're taking. Most drugs, however, are OTC here, very rarely would you need a prescription.

For example, I carry along a Ventolin Evohaler for "emergencies," but haven't used it in almost two years. Hmmm, might be time to buy a new one, reckon they do have an expiration date.

For maintenance, I use Symbicort, twice a day. Also OTC.

An American friend here uses another maintenance drug, forget the name right now, but it comes in a sort of flat "flying" saucer shaped plastic container about 2 inches diameter, also OTC.

Mac

Could that be Seritine? It is freely available in several dosages (50/250 and 50/100)

Inhalers and oral brochodilators are all available over the counter. About the only thing that would require a prre3sectiption would be if your asthma was severe enough to require corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone/prednisolone), those have to be gotten fro ma doctor.

Symbicort is available in Thailand. The distributor is DKSH. Naam, I suggest you contact them as they would know which if any pharmacies in Pattaya they have supplied it to.

Tel: 0 2220 9000, 1364 (Call Center)

Fax: 0 2220 9090

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.dksh.com

Sheryl, I am suprised about "(e.g. prednisone/prednisolone), those have to be gotten from a doctor". I have picked this up from several different drug stores over the counter. Not that I doubt there may be a legal requirement but it appears readily available. Note - I am certainly not advocating its indiscriminate use.

Same here even in Issan