Cholesterol Medications In Thailand

[Tony59329]

I take Zetia. Crestor and Naispan cholesterol medications. Does anybody know if these are available in Thailand or can someone point me in the direction of a drug formulary that applies to Thailand.

I will be in Thailand for many months and want to check availability before I leave.

Thanks

Tony

[chiang mai]

Crestor is easily available everywhere, I pay THB 1,800 for 30 x 20mg. And whilst I have never checked to be absolutely certain, I am sure that the other two drugs you name will also be readily available since Thailand does have a very sophisticated pharma. industry.

[BigBadGeordie]

I take Zetia, available at most pharmacies, I pay 90 Baht for 30 tabs.

[Tony59329]

Many thanks. Great information for anybody who is visiting Thailand and taking those drugs.

Regards

Tony

[samuijimmy]

Yes, Crestor, not hard to find, for 10 mg for 28 tabs, I pay about 1130 baht with the pharmacy shop's discount card...(on Samui) it pays to shop around .... in BKK I think you can find for 1100 baht...

Boots for some reason only sell Crestor by 14 (they open the box) at an inflated price.

[lopburi3]

Zetia (Ezetimibe) is also sold as Ezetrol here and that is the brand name my hospital provides.

[chiang mai]

Zetia (Ezetimibe) is also sold as Ezetrol here and that is the brand name my hospital provides.

That's interesting, I take Ezetrol whuich I find quite expensive, it's something like 1,800 baht for 30 days. Are you saying that Zetia is a generic that's far cheaper?

[lopburi3]

Ezetimibe is the generic name but doubt it is available as such - the two brands are as stated per Wiki and I would also suspect that 90 baht for 30 post to be for something else - Ezetrol is an expensive drug - I pay 1860 for 30 day supply at hospital pharmacy.

It may be used alone (marketed as Zetia or Ezetrol), when other cholesterol-lowering medications are not tolerated, or together with statins (e.g., ezetimibe/simvastatin, marketed as Vytorin and Inegy) when statins alone do not control cholesterol.

[lopburi3]

I take Zetia, available at most pharmacies, I pay 90 Baht for 30 tabs.

Are you sure you are not talking about a brand of simvastatin rather than "Zetia"?

[Sheryl]

Ezetimibe is available in Thailand only under brand name Ezetrol and it is expensive as it is an import. It is the same thing as Zetia, just different brand name.

Rosuvastatin is available only under brand name Crestor, likewise an import so expensive. There are drugs in the same class made locally (e.g. simvastatin) and cheap, but not this exact formulation.

Niaspan is also available here and also an import. It can be a little hard to find but larger pharamcies will have it.

So OP -- yes, you can get all 3 here, but they will not be cheap. It will help if you request by brand name Ezetrol, Crestor and Niaspan as they may nto know what you mean by Zetia. And you may need to try a few places before you find one that stocks all 3 drugs.

By "not cheap", I mean they will cost slightly more than the full retail prioce they would have in Canada, Oz or Europe. They will cost a bit less than the full retail price in the US.

[JAS21]

This may be of interest to you. My history makes me High Risk

I was paying 1620Baht for Ezetrol and 270Baht for Simvastatin 40mg. Three months ago due to some tummy problems, been taking aspirin for twenty years (and still am) etc It was suggested to reduce my tummy load so changed to Crestor 20mg. Six weeks ago we went Vegan ... not 100% my choice! I'm paying 1650Baht for Crestor. Anyway here are my lab results

Three Months ago (Now)

Tot C 176 (147)

Try 100 (65)

HDL 79 (65)

LDL 78 (70)

Actually Vegan is not that bad and I've only relapsed once and that was yesterday! I suspect that going Vegan has helped, but who knows.

[Lefty]

Niaspan 500mg er costs about baht 600 for 30 tablets.

Lefty

[Sheryl]

Lefty can you mention where you get it? As it can be hard to find. Thanks

[Lefty]

Lefty can you mention where you get it? As it can be hard to find. Thanks

I am in Korat,name is Siam Pharmacy.In Bangkok there is a large pharmacy on Rama iv just before Seriwongse road ,they will have and at a reasonable price.

Lefty

[lopburi3]

Perhaps S.C. Drug Store?

https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=13.730182,100.534832&spn=0.001394,0.002411&t=h&z=19&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=13.730151,100.534908&panoid=2Ka3qM5_mhIOs1wd3Xf-ig&cbp=12,213.17,,0,9.74

[dddave]

For those for whom pharmaceutical cost saving is an important issue, there is a pharmacy in KLONG TAN, about 300 meters from the Rhamkhamheng ARL station (turn right out of the station) that is known as being the cheapest in Bangkok. It is always so busy that they use a queue numbering system and customers are frequently lined up at the door.<br />I don't take any meds regularly but anything I have bought there has been the lowest price I'd experienced.<br />The pharmacy is on the very end of Sukhumvit 71 where it intersects with Petchabury, Phattanakhan and Rhamkhamheng Roads. If you enter Suk.71 from that intersection, it is the first pharmacy immediately on the left (even soi side)

[samuijimmy]

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

[chiang mai]

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

No, 10 mg is typically around 1,400 baht whilst 20 mg is around 1,800, many people buy the 20 mg and use a pill splitter to reduce costs.

[bangkokburning]

Not to hijack...

Can anyone reccomend an internist? Sheryl had given me a dr some years back at Samitjev but we sat on the issue so long her link died.

Wife has crazy cholesterol count needs serios meds. Shes on 10-20mg Simvastin practically worthless. To compound matters, she is very disconcerned as she is seemingly in fine health.

She now has insurance from her company so I think I can kii-bon her into taking some action, maybe...

[lopburi3]

My GP is an internal medicine specialist but he has turned over the cholesterol control to cardiac after need for several stints and her action is much more aggressive (keeping LDL below 70). I am likely much older but suspect more aggressive control would be from such doctors if any heart issues in her family. For me it is medications/exercise and a lot more salads.

[pinfold]

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

No, 10 mg is typically around 1,400 baht whilst 20 mg is around 1,800, many people buy the 20 mg and use a pill splitter to reduce costs.

Gees,bought a bucketful of them while having medical testing in India,105 baht for strip of 10,10mg. Verified by Crestor as genuine. Supposed to be good,cuts statin intake by 50%

[Sheryl]

Not to hijack...

Can anyone reccomend an internist? Sheryl had given me a dr some years back at Samitjev but we sat on the issue so long her link died.

Wife has crazy cholesterol count needs serios meds. Shes on 10-20mg Simvastin practically worthless. To compound matters, she is very disconcerned as she is seemingly in fine health.

She now has insurance from her company so I think I can kii-bon her into taking some action, maybe...

Suggestions

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Chorthip-Phattanasri (female)

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Sarat-Sunthornyothin (male)

[chiang mai]

I've used this doctor before several times and I know others that have also, she is very well known and has an excellent reputation, I rate her very highly:

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Rosanee-Valyasevi

[samuijimmy]

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

No, 10 mg is typically around 1,400 baht whilst 20 mg is around 1,800, many people buy the 20 mg and use a pill splitter to reduce costs.

Well I guess things on Samui are not always more expensive as seems to be perceived....

I purchased my monthly supply today 1130 baht.... with my discount card, I asked about the 20 mg price... same same...price

I hate trying to cut pills in half! .... I never get half and half!

I've been paying that price for well over a year now! When they get 2 months to sell by date, they put them on at 2 for one! .... That's a deal!

Edited May 1, 2013 by samuijimmy

[Tywais]

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

No, 10 mg is typically around 1,400 baht whilst 20 mg is around 1,800, many people buy the 20 mg and use a pill splitter to reduce costs.

I hate trying to cut pills in half! .... I never get half and half!

I also get the 20mg concor and have to cut it in half. You can get these for around 100 baht at most pharmacies.

[chiang mai]

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

No, 10 mg is typically around 1,400 baht whilst 20 mg is around 1,800, many people buy the 20 mg and use a pill splitter to reduce costs.

Well I guess things on Samui are not always more expensive as seems to be perceived....

I purchased my monthly supply today 1130 baht.... with my discount card, I asked about the 20 mg price... same same...price

I hate trying to cut pills in half! .... I never get half and half!

I've been paying that price for well over a year now! When they get 2 months to sell by date, they put them on at 2 for one! .... That's a deal!

Just to be clear, those prices of 1,130 (sorry, it's not 1,400) and 1,800 are per box or 28 days supply?

[samuijimmy]

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

No, 10 mg is typically around 1,400 baht whilst 20 mg is around 1,800, many people buy the 20 mg and use a pill splitter to reduce costs.

Well I guess things on Samui are not always more expensive as seems to be perceived....

I purchased my monthly supply today 1130 baht.... with my discount card, I asked about the 20 mg price... same same...price

I hate trying to cut pills in half! .... I never get half and half!

I've been paying that price for well over a year now! When they get 2 months to sell by date, they put them on at 2 for one! .... That's a deal!

Just to be clear, those prices of 1,130 (sorry, it's not 1,400) and 1,800 are per box or 28 days supply?

Yes that is what I said, month's supply which is 28 pills 10 mg pills (in the peachy orange box)... shelf price is 1190 baht but with customer loyalty card it's less!

Two foil strips of 14... exactly the same as I used to get in Canada, where they are more expensive because of the pharmacy fee

[chiang mai]

No, 10 mg is typically around 1,400 baht whilst 20 mg is around 1,800, many people buy the 20 mg and use a pill splitter to reduce costs.

For Crestor, the local Samui Government hospital, supplies it... I don't know if all government hospitals around the country, have it or not... (I asked at Private hospitals here, when I was checking prices, and response was "no have" )

I seem to remember I used to pay 1400 baht +, at Samui Gov Hospital, before finding a local pharmacy that has it cheaper (Moyra Wholesale Pharmacy, in Maenam in case anyone from Samui reading this) I am pretty certain 10 and 20 mg are the same price...

Well I guess things on Samui are not always more expensive as seems to be perceived....

I purchased my monthly supply today 1130 baht.... with my discount card, I asked about the 20 mg price... same same...price

I hate trying to cut pills in half! .... I never get half and half!

I've been paying that price for well over a year now! When they get 2 months to sell by date, they put them on at 2 for one! .... That's a deal!

Just to be clear, those prices of 1,130 (sorry, it's not 1,400) and 1,800 are per box or 28 days supply?

Yes that is what I said, month's supply which is 28 pills 10 mg pills (in the peachy orange box)... shelf price is 1190 baht but with customer loyalty card it's less!

Two foil strips of 14... exactly the same as I used to get in Canada, where they are more expensive because of the pharmacy fee

And the 20 mg is exactly the same price you say? Because if so, that makes no sense whatsoever!

[malcolminthemiddle]

Here in the Netherlands on my box of meds (just started) it says Simvastatine Sandaz. Can some one confirm the equivalent in Thailand I should ask for? Thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

That appears to be a normal Simvastatin brand name from my quick check and the most popular brand here is Bestatin which is very inexpensive.