Prescription Medications

[dionys]

Does anybody knows if Blood Pressure medications with the pharmaceutical names of Clonidine HCL, and Doxazosin Mesylate are available in or around of Chiang Mai? Clonidine HCL is also known by the name Catapres and Doxazosin Mesylate by the name Cardura.

Thank you for your help

[meatboy]

there are plenty of bp alternatives available otc, talk to a docter or pharmacist,i take amlopine [manu.berlin],perindopril[coversyl] and bisoprolol ace inhbitor hypercor[manu.sriprasit pharma.bkk]

[meatboy]

you will get more info when they move this to med.forum.expecially from sheryl

[dionys]

meatboy #2 &3

Much obliged for the response. Unfortunately for over 3-years different MD’s tried to control the bp without any luck. They tried all of the ones you mention and plus, and it was a 'no go’. At the end the lists of medications end up to be a one foot long. It appears that this combination was the only one that was given a green light and that was the reason for the original request.

Do not know how to move it to the med.forum

Thank you

[meatboy]

meatboy #2 &3

Much obliged for the response. Unfortunately for over 3-years different MD’s tried to control the bp without any luck. They tried all of the ones you mention and plus, and it was a 'no go’. At the end the lists of medications end up to be a one foot long. It appears that this combination was the only one that was given a green light and that was the reason for the original request.

Do not know how to move it to the med.forum

Thank you

before my surgery i was on certain ones that worked better,what is the reason why you have bp.mine was self abuse.the mods.will move it to the med.section.

[uptheos]

Doxazosin 4mg is definitely available over the counter.

[dionys]

meatboy #5

It just happens. I was suppose to have a small procedure done, and as the doctors normally do, they check your blood pressure and that was it. High bp. After that they did all the tests, and nothing. Everything was fine, meaning hart was fine, kidneys, ‘pipes’ and so on, yet the bp was still high. Hey no problem said the MD guy: take some pills. What? No good? Take these. I have some free samples, no ‘problema’ signore. We have the technology here, you know, the guy with the MD next to his name, bravely announced. Sure said I although not as convincingly.

Well, more pills, and more pills, and different pills and on, and on. And after a while, the guy with the MD, attached to his name, was getting less and less amused. Actually, the word ‘resentment’ would have been more accurate. And after a while I started to believe that the: “world is governed more by appearances than realities, so that it is fully as necessary to seem to know something as to know it”. In fact, I think I was starting to be convinced about it.

The side effects of the medications were debilitating; and in addition, they were becoming more of a liability than assets. Finally […and trust me it’s a long story] just as the song goes: “it was a sunny day”…and the combination of Clonidine and Cardura did the trick. [Although it’s the short version of the events so as not to bore you out of your mine].

And that’s the story signore. Nothing to write home about. But it was a pain in my body’s' -lower parts of the seating area for a while. Regards.

[dionys]

uptheos #6

Thank you sir, much obliged

[uptheos]

you will get more info when they move this to med.forum.expecially from sheryl

Why on earth should it be moved?

The OP is not asking about the meds, he's asking if you can get them in Chiang Mai.....which you can.

[realthaideal]

If you go into the Sripat Pharamacy waiting room area, you can politely ask at the desk for their book of all the medications available in Thailand. That is, it's the one from which all the pharmacies do their ordering and medicine checking. If it's not in this book - and many we know from the West aren't - then it's not available here, even from BKK. It might take you a good hour of your time to get there, be polite, do your research, and then maybe inquire if you come back with some positive findings, and probably well worth the effort.

[hellodolly]

If you go into the Sripat Pharamacy waiting room area, you can politely ask at the desk for their book of all the medications available in Thailand. That is, it's the one from which all the pharmacies do their ordering and medicine checking. If it's not in this book - and many we know from the West aren't - then it's not available here, even from BKK. It might take you a good hour of your time to get there, be polite, do your research, and then maybe inquire if you come back with some positive findings, and probably well worth the effort.

Don't know if it will help you but I had a med that they don't have over here. The Pharmacist looked it up in the book and suggested another one from the book. It worked fine and when I was back in Canada I mentioned it to my doctor who had made the original prescription and he said that was fine.

I know longer have high blood pressure it has taken over a year but I got my cholesterol levels down to an acceptable reading. Don't know if that was it or not. Uptheos would know.

[uptheos]

I know longer have high blood pressure it has taken over a year but I got my cholesterol levels down to an acceptable reading. Don't know if that was it or not. Uptheos would know.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can both have similar effects on the body, because both injure the blood vessels and restrict the blood that flows to vital organs. Everyone should try to get their cholesterol and triglyceride levels down. Looking at the food threads on TV.........hmmm.

[dionys]

realthaideal # 10

hellodolly #11

Thanks for the messages. But just in case you would see Clonidine somewhere in Chiang Mai, please, any information would be appreciated, and here is why:

Below I took the liberty of posting general groups of BP medications. The general groups are:

Alpha blockers

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

Beta blockers

Calcium channel blockers

Central alpha agonists

Diuretics

Renin inhibitors, including aliskiren (Tekturna)

Vasodilators

The alpha blockers group can be then expanded and it will further yield medications that belongs to this group. (Please note this is a copy from the American Heart Association, or AHA publication).

[The AHA also published detail information for each major BP group; so if anybody is interested in any other BP groups please let me know and I will be happy to post them

Miscellaneous Antihypertensive Medications

Other types of medicines used to treat high blood pressure include alpha blockers, medications acting on the nervous system, and blood vessel dilators, says the American Heart Association, or AHA.

Alpha blockers help to relax the muscle of blood vessels thereby lowering blood pressure, reports the AHA. The brand name alpha blocker medications are:

Cardura, or doxazosin

Hytrin, or terazosin

Minipress, or prazosin

Phentolamine

Tamsulosin or flomax

The AHA states that medicines acting on the nervous system lower blood pressure by blocking signals from the brain that would cause tightening of blood vessels. These medicines include:

Aldomet, or alpha methyldopa

Catapres, or clonidine

Catapres-TTS, or clonidine patch

Tenex, or guanfacine

Wytensin, or guanabenz

As you can see above, the Clonidine group is sort of small. From this group, I tried the Adolmet, the Wytensin and the Tenex and they were all pain in the yenyenk, as they say in Canada.

And that’s how I got stuck with the Clonidine folks. My apologies but this posting is only an explanation of why the request about the Clonidine availability in CM

Thank you again

[hellodolly]

realthaideal # 10

hellodolly #11

Thanks for the messages. But just in case you would see Clonidine somewhere in Chiang Mai, please, any information would be appreciated, and here is why:

Below I took the liberty of posting general groups of BP medications. The general groups are:

Alpha blockers

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

Beta blockers

Calcium channel blockers

Central alpha agonists

Diuretics

Renin inhibitors, including aliskiren (Tekturna)

Vasodilators

The alpha blockers group can be then expanded and it will further yield medications that belongs to this group. (Please note this is a copy from the American Heart Association, or AHA publication).

[The AHA also published detail information for each major BP group; so if anybody is interested in any other BP groups please let me know and I will be happy to post them

Miscellaneous Antihypertensive Medications

Other types of medicines used to treat high blood pressure include alpha blockers, medications acting on the nervous system, and blood vessel dilators, says the American Heart Association, or AHA.

Alpha blockers help to relax the muscle of blood vessels thereby lowering blood pressure, reports the AHA. The brand name alpha blocker medications are:

Cardura, or doxazosin

Hytrin, or terazosin

Minipress, or prazosin

Phentolamine

Tamsulosin or flomax

The AHA states that medicines acting on the nervous system lower blood pressure by blocking signals from the brain that would cause tightening of blood vessels. These medicines include:

Aldomet, or alpha methyldopa

Catapres, or clonidine

Catapres-TTS, or clonidine patch

Tenex, or guanfacine

Wytensin, or guanabenz

As you can see above, the Clonidine group is sort of small. From this group, I tried the Adolmet, the Wytensin and the Tenex and they were all pain in the yenyenk, as they say in Canada.

And that’s how I got stuck with the Clonidine folks. My apologies but this posting is only an explanation of why the request about the Clonidine availability in CM

Thank you again

Wow

If you don't have a doctor here in Chiang Mai just go to a hospital with a pharmacy in it. If it is here in Thailand they would be the ones to have it.

The one thing is you would probably need to have a prescription for it and if it is available else where it would defiantly be cheaper there.

[mcgriffith]

OK, dionys, I've looked up the info on your med, and the availability here in Thailand.

First, general info on Clonidine, from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonidine

From the MIMS website, the detailed info on your drug:

http://www.mims.com/...l&mtype=generic

It is called Hypodine here in Thailand.

For the other med, do what I did.

Go to Wikipedia for general info.

Then go to Google, type in the med name and select the MIMS website, which has excellent info on medications.

The site caters to doctors and pharmacists. Select the "detailed info" on the drop-down menu.

On the right side you should see the Thailand equivalent name.

Hope this helps.

[dionys]

mcgriffith #15

Thank you for your response. Great website that MIMS. Now since you identify the name of Clonidine to be Hypodine in Thailand I shall rephrase the original question: Does anybody knows if Hypodine is available in CM/Vicinity and also what is the cost for 0.1 mg tablets

Thank you all for your help

[hellodolly]

Just walk into any pharmacy and ask. Go to the big shopping mals they have seveal pharmices or wlk around a little they are all over Chiang Mai.

Have no idea of the cost.

[meatboy]

you will get more info when they move this to med.forum.expecially from sheryl

Why on earth should it be moved?

The OP is not asking about the meds, he's asking if you can get them in Chiang Mai.....which you can.

why dont you tell him where are you always negative?

[hellodolly]

you will get more info when they move this to med.forum.expecially from sheryl

Why on earth should it be moved?

The OP is not asking about the meds, he's asking if you can get them in Chiang Mai.....which you can.

why dont you tell him where are you always negative?

How is some one in Cha-am going to help him find a pharmacy in Chiang Mai?

He all ready knows what he needs and if you would bother to read his post you would see he needs no medical advice he has had lots of experience.

The question is why are you so negative on a post trying to help the poster?

[harrry]

As the OP is in Chiangmai he shoudl go to the large CMU Pharmacy in Suteph Rd. It has stocks of all medication likely to be used in Chiangmai and also can order many others.

[meatboy]

you will get more info when they move this to med.forum.expecially from sheryl

Why on earth should it be moved?

The OP is not asking about the meds, he's asking if you can get them in Chiang Mai.....which you can.

why dont you tell him where are you always negative?

How is some one in Cha-am going to help him find a pharmacy in Chiang Mai?

He all ready knows what he needs and if you would bother to read his post you would see he needs no medical advice he has had lots of experience.

The question is why are you so negative on a post trying to help the poster?

why the song and dance about moving this to the med forum that is what its for he would definately get more info on the meds he is seeking.eg.manufacturers and the generics ones available,i got info on one of mine which cost me 1350bht only to find out in the med.forum the generic available in los.cost 140bht for the same amount 28tabs.and who lives in cha-am its definately not me so if you read post 9 you will see uptheos quoted he can get them in chaing mai.apologies if you are an england supporter.

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Dionys,

We're kind of "flying blind" here: I think you'll get more focused answers to your question here if you include the following information:

1. How long has it been since you saw a doctor? Was the last doctor you saw, and worked with, trying out all these medications, here, in Chiang Mai ?

2. What are the negative tangible consequences of high-blood pressure for you right now ?

3. Have you gone to Chiang Mai's excellent public Hospital, Maharaj (sometimes referred to as Suan Dok because it's near Wat Suan Dok), on Suthep Road, which is associated with the Medical School at CMU, and been seen by a senior doctor there (who will, most of the time, be a professor at the medical school), and been evaluated there ?

The "Sriphat" that Khun RealThaiDeal refers to here is both a facility/building for non-Thai citizens, and the name of the administrative unit within the larger hospital complex that handles non-Thais.

The reason I think this information is possibly helpful is: pharmacology for every type of condition is evolving rapidly. There may be new drugs available; there may be new diagnostic tests available.

Example: I just found out, yesterday, that Suan Prung, the Royally sponsored mental hospital here, now carries a new, prescription only, potentiated, time-release, version of Melatonin that may be very useful to people like me struggling with insomnia perhaps related to previous cancer treatment. It's also a place where you can get Zolpidem (aka Ambien), at, I am told by a friend here on this forum I referred to Suan Prung, a vast savings compared to what Chiang Mai Ram charges. Said person on this forum I referred PM'd me that he had saved about US $100 on his various medications by going to Suan Prung compared with what he had been paying at CM Ram.

From the fragmentary story in your posts, I do not think you have had competent, consistent medical care.

If I were you, I would not be satisfied with the lack of a definitive answer as to why you have high-blood pressure ... assuming the absence of obesity, total lack of exercise, or abuse of drugs, or other types of over-use of typical factors like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and, assuming the presence of an active healthy life-style that includes balanced diet, and exercise of varying types. Unless, of course, you have knowledge that early onset of high-blood pressure is typical in your family of origin (i.e., genetic factors).

As to where this post "belongs:" if I were you, I would put a general post on the recommended health forum here, to see what you can learn from other people all over ThaiVisa struggling with high-blood pressure, while leaving this question, where to get certain medicines in CM, here.

Age, weight, lifestyle, diet, exercise, family health history, previous medical conditions, surgeries, etc., current stress levels, current medications: these are all factors, imho, a competent physician should evaluate to treat the "whole" you, in order to interpret what your high-blood pressure is caused by, or maintained by, and consider effective treatment plans ... which may involve lifestyle, diet, etc., changes.

My opinion, based on personal experience being treated (successfully) for cancer at Maharaj/Sriphat, is that you can get excellent, "holistic" care there: it may take some waiting and patience on your part.

Hope this is helpful. fyi: in another life-time I was Social Worker (MSW), but specialized in working with people who were "mentally ill." I worked in multi-disciplinary teams trying to deal with all the physical, emotional, environmental, and social aspects of the whole person.

to your health, o:37;

[meatboy]

excellent post by orang37,i too was trying to help the op on my experiance double by pass and a valve replacement,before surgery i suffered with high bp,only when i had it checked 5years went by before surgery so it could have and proberly been a lot longer that i had bp.as on that forum they have an experianced dr.sheryl i am surprised she has not posted.

[uptheos]

excellent post by orang37,i too was trying to help the op on my experiance double by pass and a valve replacement,before surgery i suffered with high bp,only when i had it checked 5years went by before surgery so it could have and proberly been a lot longer that i had bp.as on that forum they have an experianced dr.sheryl i am surprised she has not posted.

I thought Sheryl was an RN - is she a doctor?

[NancyL]

OK, maybe everyone should just back down.

I would have asked similar questions as a newbie after seeing my Bumrungrad cardiologist and moving to Chiang Mai. I know why I have high blood pressure, and it isn't related to diet, exercise or other self-caused problems. I have other issues with my heart that I don't care to discuss. Please,jJust answer the guy's question.

So, here's my answer:

The pharmacy at Suan Dok/Maharaj is good, but if you want quick service and good English language capabilies, then the two ladies who run Pheera pharmacy across from Hotel M (the old Montri Hotel) would be a good place to start. It's the first drugstore on your left as your walk from Thapae Gate toward the mountain from Thapae Gate.

[endure]

You could try the guy at Green Pharmacy which is on the right hand side on the lower floor at Kad Suan Kaew just after the first set of mobile (cell) shops.

[Tywais]

If you don't want to drive around to multiple places you can try phoning some pharmacies in the below lists. I would call the Faculty of Pharmacy on Suthep road first as it is a quite large one. The Faculty of Pharmacy Chiang Mai University Suthep Rd. – 053-944333

http://www.chiangmaiinfo.com/directory/categories/drugs_and_pharmacy

http://www.farangfriendly.com/chiang-mai/pharmacies

[dionys]

O boy. I think I am in trouble; and I own every one of you folks a big apology. Before I do that (not very good at it) allow me to say one think: All of you, and I really mean ALL OF YOU, are really great people, and all of your responses were great and are indeed much appreciated. In addition, also special thanks to uptheos and mcgriffith for the extra mile. Thank you guys.

I have been following TV for about five years, and I just joined TV recently [not quite sure why I waited for so long] but I am glad I did. You folks are wonderful bunch of blogers (I hope that’s a compliment), carrying-on with good sense of humor, and I think that even the occasional teasing on TV is great. It puts the spice back in to the life. And judging from conversations you have among yourselves, even when you disagree, they are still friendly and actually I think quite a worm. I do not want to get mushy here hence I will just wishfully say keep it up guys. [..That means boys and girls of course]

And here is the clarification regarding the original posting, and this time I will try t cover the whole nine yards:

Years back I worked in Thailand, met a Thai lady from Fang, and after the job was over, I went home [uSA]. I guess I was too ugly, too stupid and to poor to find another girl so I went back to Thailand and married the girl from FANG. (Or may be there was another reason, who knows). After a while we returned back to states and that’s were we are now. Now we are retiring and going through the basic ‘checks’ before moving to Thailand, so we can live there happily ever after. (OK stop laughing now) And that is the reason why I could not check the pharmacies on my own. My wife’s dad is 88 years old, (mom past a way last year) and we could not ask him for any help in that regard. Therefore the OP. Now the rest of the clarifications:

Few years back I end up with high BP that almost killed me [actually not only the BP but the pills also]. Doctors first tried all the standard tests regarding hart, kidneys, ‘the pipes’, etc., and the final diagnose was, you are OK; you just need some pills to kill the BP, and you’ll be fine. They never mention to me I was also included in the process.

And you know the BP medication-categories posted before? Not only the Alpha Blockers, but all of the categories of BP medications that were posted? Well the MD’s tried every one of them [the groups that is]. And I have no reason to tell you stories, so believe me, I was ending in ER’s with 220/120 repeatedly. At times I thought that starting a Frequent Ambulance Flyer would be good idea. Maybe later I could get some discounts or a better seat in the house.

Sometimes after taking different prescription pills I would have a rash and boils over my body resembling the met amphetamine kids driving the big rigs in Thailand. Sometimes I would itch so bad that even my dog was looking at me in disbelieve [you know the typical 45 degree head-tilt-look dogs gives you], and I could swear that he was thinking about a flee killer.

Then doctors decided to try different pill again. After taking one, we went to zoo, and shortly after I took the newly prescribed pill, the itching got so bad I swear the monkeys took a the refuge in caves.

There was one good think though that I learned from all of this; the empirical formula used for dose-dispensing purposes, and the pharmaceutical guidelines, that results in the prescription of the drug itself, are often not as important as the individual body itself. And then if you really want to be funny about this whole situation than multiply this by about seven billion [people on this planet] and you just may end up with a magic wellness formula.

But seriously what helped me at the end was an article written by a researcher from a university in Philadelphia. Some of his research synopses pertaining to the different BP negative tangibles, and contributors, (in addition to hart problems, high cholesterol, plug arteries, etc.,) were so closely related to my symptoms that I was lucky enough to convince my family doctor to try the Clonidine and Cardura combination.

Unbelievably after about two and half year’s pure unadulterated torture it was a home run. [it required some dose tweaking but the combination was a ‘wiener’]. I think I finally joined the human race again, although not quite sure if the welcome sine’s posted

Anybody who is interested about the BP articles regarding this particular high BP research work let me know and I will forward them to you. (Do not want to bore the entire TV community)

And because of what I went through earlier, (and please believe me the side effects that I listed above were just tip of the iceberg), I want to stay with the ones that I know by now, and they are working for me. Without exaggerations I went from a totally useless to almost normal. Thanks Got, Buddha, Hair Krishna and what ever [Do not know to many of these guys]

Regards

PS.: One more question that was posted, and is really good because it will add more clarifications to the above report, came from orang37:

2. What are the negative tangible consequences of high-blood pressure for you right now?

The tangible consequences in my case are the adrenaline glands. Not sure which one, or if both, but I am so happy that my BP is now between 115-120/ 65-80 that I really do not care at this point. (Happier than a pig in a pile of s#@t) In addition I only take two to three 0.05 mg Clonidine, and one 0.5 mg Cardura per day [the numbers are not a misprint]. And if you are shaking your head; yup I have to break them in half since the doses of 0.1 mg and 1.0 mg, Clonidine and Cardura, respectively, are the smallest on the market.

Thank you, much obliged, and regards

[dionys]

Thank you for the pharmacy web-site addressees. Will check the availability Thank you again

Regards

[orang37]

... snip ... but I am so happy that my BP is now between 115-120/ 65-80 that I really do not care at this point. (Happier than a pig in a pile of s#@t) In addition I only take two to three 0.05 mg Clonidine, and one 0.5 mg Cardura per day [the numbers are not a misprint]. And if you are shaking your head; yup I have to break them in half since the doses of 0.1 mg and 1.0 mg, Clonidine and Cardura, respectively, are the smallest on the market.

Thank you, much obliged, and regards

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Dionys, glad to hear you have found the right medication, and that your problem is now effectively controlled, and this is just a question regarding where to get the meds !

best, ~o:37;