Metoprolol succinate a controlled drug?

[roxnadz]

That's what the people at FedEx Thailand are telling me. They say I need to speak with an agent that can apply for an import license so that I can receive the package.

I had some shipped from USA (a 60-day supply) as it will be a while before I get back there (finishing my winter vacation here in early May, then off to other parts of Asia and Europe before finally heading back). Surprisingly enough (not) it is now held up in customs.

I looked on the Thai FDA website and it's not in their list (so I presume it's incomplete).

Of course, now I find that I can apparently get metoprolol succinate here now. Wasn't the case as late as last year - only metoprolol tartrate was available.

What should I do at this point?

Kicking myself, etc.

[Sheryl]

It is OTC in Thailand, no prescription required. It is also readily available here in low cost locally made generic equivalent.

HOWEVER importing medications is a whole other matter and you do, technically, need an import license which no one other than a registered Thai pharmacy or pharmaceutical importer can obtain. In other words, no way to do this.

The law allows you to bring up to 30 days supply of medication for personal use into the country with you but is silent on the issue of importing it for personal use once you are already in the country; all the provisions for that pertain to import for commercial sale, which is what FedEx and Customs are treating this as. In practice, people do often import meds on small quantities for personal use by regular mail and as long as it is small quantity and not a controlled substance there are usually no issues at customs -- when sent by regular air mail. Shipping anything by FedEx virtually guarantees this sort of problem. Never use a courier service when shipping to Thailand.

I can 99% gurantee that FedEx will never get this cleared through customs for you. You might succeed in clearing it by yourself but it would take a full day or more of your time and is hardly worth it for such an inexpensive drug.

My advice: refuse the shipment, and buy the medication locally. Ask for it by generic name, it comes under numerous brands and is dirt cheap.

Note: what you will get locally is metoprolol tartrate, not metoprolol succinate. Should not make a difference but if in any doubt consult your physician.

[kriswillems]

http://www.bangkokdrugstore.com/component/virtuemart/details/212/43/beta/betaloc-zok-100-mg.-14-tablets.html

Sheryl, is this metoprolol succinate ?

If so, the store is here:

http://www.bangkokdrugstore.com/bangkok-drugstore-store-location.html

Chulalongkorn hospital also has it in his price list since 2556 (1 years ago). Before it was impossible to buy in Thailand.

http://www.chulalongkornhospital.go.th/chulahospital/data/medical2556.pdf

Edited April 4, 2014 by kriswillems

[mimi9000]

Right. Never voluntarily use a shipping service when send in anything to thailand. FedEx seems to have a contractual relationship with items they deliver to thailand, and will guess about anything to err on the side of their contractual client (Thailand in this case). Not matter to them if true or real or untrue or guessing. Try ordering anything in ebay that involves fedex and FedEx automatically calculated customs charges and all that so nicely for you. What I have seen is ridiculous and false estimates.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[mimi9000]

By the way, the succinate form is simply the XL (extended release) once daily regimen. Side note: never crush or chew, for consumption, an extended release medicine, because suddenly the entire amount is quick release and often a dose higher than what is recommended as a single dose. However, not a problem to break half of it if it is scored for such presumed act.

Example, even though OxyContin is extended release and normally not cause overdoses, people would crush and eat or snort them and a quick high. Blahblahblah

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Sheryl]

http://www.bangkokdrugstore.com/component/virtuemart/details/212/43/beta/betaloc-zok-100-mg.-14-tablets.html

Sheryl, is this metoprolol succinate ?

If so, the store is here:

http://www.bangkokdrugstore.com/bangkok-drugstore-store-location.html

Chulalongkorn hospital also has it in his price list since 2556 (1 years ago). Before it was impossible to buy in Thailand.

http://www.chulalongkornhospital.go.th/chulahospital/data/medical2556.pdf

Yes, Betaloc Zok (but not plain betaloc) is the succinate form but AFAIK no longer on the market here.

In addition it was an import and thus expensive whereas the tartate form can be found in inexpensive generic.

It should be possible to switch from succinate to tartrate though some adjustment in dosing might be needed, discuss with primary physician.

[ericg1953]

http://www.bangkokdrugstore.com/component/virtuemart/details/212/43/beta/betaloc-zok-100-mg.-14-tablets.html

Sheryl, is this metoprolol succinate ?

If so, the store is here:

http://www.bangkokdrugstore.com/bangkok-drugstore-store-location.html

Chulalongkorn hospital also has it in his price list since 2556 (1 years ago). Before it was impossible to buy in Thailand.

http://www.chulalongkornhospital.go.th/chulahospital/data/medical2556.pdf

Yes, Betaloc Zok (but not plain betaloc) is the succinate form but AFAIK no longer on the market here.

In addition it was an import and thus expensive whereas the tartate form can be found in inexpensive generic.

It should be possible to switch from succinate to tartrate though some adjustment in dosing might be needed, discuss with primary physician.

I am currently using Betaloc Zoc and get it at Bumrungrad pharmacy, prescribed by Dr. Wacin. I was there this month and to my knowledge it's somewhat new here. Dr. Wacin is also at Chula all week so prob available there as well as he says a lot of his patients are using it Edited April 14, 2014 by ericg1953