My latest attempt to purchase tramadol

[Jessi]

A friend bought a blister pack of Tramadol in BKK last week, cost him 200B for ten tabs.

Yesterday I ask my pharmacy how much... 30B.

A rather large price difference.

I don't use them very often but I have never had a problem in buying them.

[Sheryl]

Would likely have been different brands with the pricey one an import

I think I pay about 50 baht for 10, local brand

[element555]

Would likely have been different brands with the pricey one an import

I think I pay about 50 baht for 10, local brand

Hi Sheryl, could you tell me in which pharmacy you buy them if you are in Bangkok ? Is it the generic brand named Tindol ? (accident 2 years ago and 3 broken vertebrae, only 50mg tramadol works for me). I asked for it in few pharmacies today but they were selling only a mix with paracetamol which i prefer to avoid.

Many thanks !

[Chivas]

Now that i cannot get Tramadol i use TINDOL which i can get very easily, same price.

Tindol is Tramadol. Got a strip in my hand as I type

[Sheryl]

Not in Bangkok. Prachinburi. So no help there.

[jeffreysearch]

Tramadol is not big deal - except like elsewhere in the world people get over excited about a few glaring examples of abuse by a few. As stated it does not seem addicting to me. I take 50 mg in the morning and same at night for sleep. For sleep because a knee pain - especially the right knee is painful related to Sciatic nerve problems that descends down the nerve trunks of the legs. ... Without the tramadol to dull the pain sleep would just not be possible. I have been traveling through a number of Issan towns - now in Nong Khai ... Tramadol is available at nearly every pharmacy and I have visited many buying vitamins and health supplements. I have had some pharmacist tell me they do not have what I ask for on a written list. Often I know it is a lie because I can see the item on the shelf. Some Thai pharmacists seem to just not want to sell to Westerners and are cold - sometimes even bit hostile. They are not used to knowledgeable customers up here. Chinese pharmacists on the other hand seem much more open minded - business is business. All in all I find the Thailand approach to over the counter pharmacy to be a bit strange... Every item behind the counter here is out on open counters in the USA --- available for reading the information on the bottle or box. It seems they are use to clients who ask them what they need instead of what they want ... throws them off a bit. I can only suggest to people on TVF who get worried about fairly aware and educated Westerners buying and using Tramadol to go find something else to worry about. Tramadol side effects can make one a little dizzy -- the 100 mg caps do that to me so I cut to using 50 mg and dizziness is not a real problem. Let's face it folks - these days if a person wants to abuse a drug to get a buzz or to avoid life they are going to do it... And Tramadol is way down the list of drugs that will do it. Actually I wish the Nanny tyrants - control freaks in the USA would have left Darvon alone -- a drug that has been prescribed for 50 year - billions of doses given to millions of patients and Suddenly it is claimed to be a problem - heart related side effects ... if it were really so -- a huge percentage of people in the USA would have died from Darvon use -- BUT THEY DIDN'T ... same with Tramadol ... most people are responsible and don't abuse it ... nannies be damned.

Hi there , i have been reading this tread,, and some Good info here from many people ... i use `Panadeine Forte- Codeine /paracetamol .. i was just wondering ? is it easier for me to get Tramadol in thailand .. if i need large doses ? from cronic pain after car accident .. and would it be cheaper than the price of Panadeine from Hospital pharmacy at 200 Bht for 20 tabs ... which would become quite expensive on large dose .. or is it cheaper as you get larger amounts ... as per my chemist here at home ... $22 for 120 tabs .... thanks for your advice :-)

[ignis]

Tramadol = Easy to get over the counter, just no idea why so many appear to have a problem......

Here is a scan of what I get.. yes a tub of 500 capsules ........ hate blister packs + very expensive, much better to buy the tubs of 500 or 1,000 tablets or capsules

Edited February 16, 2016 by ignis

[inbangkok]

Tramadol = Easy to get over the counter, just no idea why so many appear to have a problem......

Here is a scan of what I get.. yes a tub of 500 capsules ........ hate blister packs + very expensive, much better to buy the tubs of 500 or 1,000 tablets or capsules

Because it is not easy to get over the counter anymore. You clearly know a pharmacy that will sell you this huge tub. But most pharmacies in BKK don't even seem to carry blister packs of 10 anymore.

[inbangkok]

Tramadol is not big deal - except like elsewhere in the world people get over excited about a few glaring examples of abuse by a few. As stated it does not seem addicting to me. I take 50 mg in the morning and same at night for sleep. For sleep because a knee pain - especially the right knee is painful related to Sciatic nerve problems that descends down the nerve trunks of the legs. ... Without the tramadol to dull the pain sleep would just not be possible. I have been traveling through a number of Issan towns - now in Nong Khai ... Tramadol is available at nearly every pharmacy and I have visited many buying vitamins and health supplements. I have had some pharmacist tell me they do not have what I ask for on a written list. Often I know it is a lie because I can see the item on the shelf. Some Thai pharmacists seem to just not want to sell to Westerners and are cold - sometimes even bit hostile. They are not used to knowledgeable customers up here. Chinese pharmacists on the other hand seem much more open minded - business is business. All in all I find the Thailand approach to over the counter pharmacy to be a bit strange... Every item behind the counter here is out on open counters in the USA --- available for reading the information on the bottle or box. It seems they are use to clients who ask them what they need instead of what they want ... throws them off a bit. I can only suggest to people on TVF who get worried about fairly aware and educated Westerners buying and using Tramadol to go find something else to worry about. Tramadol side effects can make one a little dizzy -- the 100 mg caps do that to me so I cut to using 50 mg and dizziness is not a real problem. Let's face it folks - these days if a person wants to abuse a drug to get a buzz or to avoid life they are going to do it... And Tramadol is way down the list of drugs that will do it. Actually I wish the Nanny tyrants - control freaks in the USA would have left Darvon alone -- a drug that has been prescribed for 50 year - billions of doses given to millions of patients and Suddenly it is claimed to be a problem - heart related side effects ... if it were really so -- a huge percentage of people in the USA would have died from Darvon use -- BUT THEY DIDN'T ... same with Tramadol ... most people are responsible and don't abuse it ... nannies be damned.

Hi there , i have been reading this tread,, and some Good info here from many people ... i use `Panadeine Forte- Codeine /paracetamol .. i was just wondering ? is it easier for me to get Tramadol in thailand .. if i need large doses ? from cronic pain after car accident .. and would it be cheaper than the price of Panadeine from Hospital pharmacy at 200 Bht for 20 tabs ... which would become quite expensive on large dose .. or is it cheaper as you get larger amounts ... as per my chemist here at home ... $22 for 120 tabs .... thanks for your advice :-)

Tamadol is cheap, but you will likely need to take more of it then Codeine to get the same effect and the max does of Tramadol is 400mg per day. For serious chronic pain, might not work well on its own. You can also go to a different hospital (maybe a government one) and get generic Codeine w/ paracetamol. The one you are using is a brand name....thus, the reason it is so expensive. Generic codeine w/paracetamol should only abe a few baht per pill at a government hospital.

[ignis]

Had no end of problems posting the scan.......... got there in the end.

Guess is where you buy from.. for some year always bought from a small shop near the United building [green roof] almost at the end of the road by the canal. always lots of people, most Drs or there agents, then found another nearer in Bang Yai, but they vanished October 2014, now go to another no idea 100% where drive east, not far past Pak Kret, again mostly all Drs or there Agents.. need to spend at least 1 hour waiting, so many people, but by buying the large tubs or boxes only need to visit 2 times a year for all my medication.

As a idea normal cost for ALL my medication is 2 - 2,500 baht. if I bought the same amount in blister packs from a local Pharmacy that would cost over 6,000 baht, so well worth the drive. + 1x medication I take, cannot buy from any local Pharmacy.. the simple things like Metformin, I buy 500MG in a 500 tablet tub. cost 150 baht, cheapest I can find in a local Pharmacy + buying 500 unopened box in blister packs is 440 baht and that is with a discount...!!

[jeffreysearch]

Tramadol is not big deal - except like elsewhere in the world people get over excited about a few glaring examples of abuse by a few. As stated it does not seem addicting to me. I take 50 mg in the morning and same at night for sleep. For sleep because a knee pain - especially the right knee is painful related to Sciatic nerve problems that descends down the nerve trunks of the legs. ... Without the tramadol to dull the pain sleep would just not be possible. I have been traveling through a number of Issan towns - now in Nong Khai ... Tramadol is available at nearly every pharmacy and I have visited many buying vitamins and health supplements. I have had some pharmacist tell me they do not have what I ask for on a written list. Often I know it is a lie because I can see the item on the shelf. Some Thai pharmacists seem to just not want to sell to Westerners and are cold - sometimes even bit hostile. They are not used to knowledgeable customers up here. Chinese pharmacists on the other hand seem much more open minded - business is business. All in all I find the Thailand approach to over the counter pharmacy to be a bit strange... Every item behind the counter here is out on open counters in the USA --- available for reading the information on the bottle or box. It seems they are use to clients who ask them what they need instead of what they want ... throws them off a bit. I can only suggest to people on TVF who get worried about fairly aware and educated Westerners buying and using Tramadol to go find something else to worry about. Tramadol side effects can make one a little dizzy -- the 100 mg caps do that to me so I cut to using 50 mg and dizziness is not a real problem. Let's face it folks - these days if a person wants to abuse a drug to get a buzz or to avoid life they are going to do it... And Tramadol is way down the list of drugs that will do it. Actually I wish the Nanny tyrants - control freaks in the USA would have left Darvon alone -- a drug that has been prescribed for 50 year - billions of doses given to millions of patients and Suddenly it is claimed to be a problem - heart related side effects ... if it were really so -- a huge percentage of people in the USA would have died from Darvon use -- BUT THEY DIDN'T ... same with Tramadol ... most people are responsible and don't abuse it ... nannies be damned.

Hi there , i have been reading this tread,, and some Good info here from many people ... i use `Panadeine Forte- Codeine /paracetamol .. i was just wondering ? is it easier for me to get Tramadol in thailand .. if i need large doses ? from cronic pain after car accident .. and would it be cheaper than the price of Panadeine from Hospital pharmacy at 200 Bht for 20 tabs ... which would become quite expensive on large dose .. or is it cheaper as you get larger amounts ... as per my chemist here at home ... $22 for 120 tabs .... thanks for your advice :-)

Tamadol is cheap, but you will likely need to take more of it then Codeine to get the same effect and the max does of Tramadol is 400mg per day. For serious chronic pain, might not work well on its own. You can also go to a different hospital (maybe a government one) and get generic Codeine w/ paracetamol. The one you are using is a brand name....thus, the reason it is so expensive. Generic codeine w/paracetamol should only abe a few baht per pill at a government hospital.

Thanks `InBangkok... yes i will check if the Generic brand .. Codeine/paracetamol is cheaper than Brand ... but i think the one i asked about was `Generic also ... at 200 bht for 20 tabs .... in CM hospital.. my GF asked for me ... so would anyone here know if to buy in larger amounts .. 240 per script/ repeat would be priced at ? or if it would be a problem in Thailand to receive this amount each time ?? maybe have to ask at hospital pharmacy again ... as i think Tramadol might not be strong enough ... ps. this is the amount i take on my prescription now from my doctor for many years .

thanks again ...

[Sheryl]

No place will dispense such a large amount of codeine at once.

A month supply at a time is the most you will get from a hospital pharmacy, if that.

Generic will indeed be cheaper though.

In my experience tramadol is at least as effective as codeine, but people's responses do vary.

[jeffreysearch]

No place will dispense such a large amount of codeine at once.

A month supply at a time is the most you will get from a hospital pharmacy, if that.

Generic will indeed be cheaper though.

In my experience tramadol is at least as effective as codeine, but people's responses do vary.

Thanks Sheryl, for your reply.... yes that is my monthly dose/amount here at home, 8 tabs per day... 240 p/mth - serious injuries from a bad car accident... so what you are saying is ? that i cant have my prescription done in Thailand with this amount ??? even if my script is from my Doctor ,, thanks again .... maybe i need to visit a Hospital to ask ,, price and amount each repeat i can get ... i will be in CM and Jomtien in March ... i presume i can go to any Gov hospital there to inquire ?

[inbangkok]

No place will dispense such a large amount of codeine at once.

A month supply at a time is the most you will get from a hospital pharmacy, if that.

Generic will indeed be cheaper though.

In my experience tramadol is at least as effective as codeine, but people's responses do vary.

Thanks Sheryl, for your reply.... yes that is my monthly dose/amount here at home, 8 tabs per day... 240 p/mth - serious injuries from a bad car accident... so what you are saying is ? that i cant have my prescription done in Thailand with this amount ??? even if my script is from my Doctor ,, thanks again .... maybe i need to visit a Hospital to ask ,, price and amount each repeat i can get ... i will be in CM and Jomtien in March ... i presume i can go to any Gov hospital there to inquire ?

It will be at the discretion of the Dr. and whether or not the hospital has any policies in place regarding the amount of pain killers prescribed per patient/visit. I can almost assure you that you will need supporting documentation regarding the car crash and your current pain regimen to be considered for this type of continued treatment plan. If you simply walk into the Dr. asking for over 200 pain pills per month because of a car accident with no evidence or letters from your previous Dr., you will likely not get very far. You should also see a pain specialist for this as this seems to be a special case.

[jeffreysearch]

Thanks inbangkok.. yes i understand ,, of course it is a different situation in Thailand with Codeine .. but my doctor has had me on this dosage for years now... but i might have to chat with him about this situation... also i have seen Pain management ... doesnt seem to help chronic pain for me so far with the visits ... but i can manage on the max amount recommended on the pack, and my doctors diagnosis... i just thought i might just ask here first ... instead of sitting in Thai hospital for hrs ,,,, to get no satisfactory answer... ok thanks

[inbangkok]

Thanks inbangkok.. yes i understand ,, of course it is a different situation in Thailand with Codeine .. but my doctor has had me on this dosage for years now... but i might have to chat with him about this situation... also i have seen Pain management ... doesnt seem to help chronic pain for me so far with the visits ... but i can manage on the max amount recommended on the pack, and my doctors diagnosis... i just thought i might just ask here first ... instead of sitting in Thai hospital for hrs ,,,, to get no satisfactory answer... ok thanks

You will need to see a pain specialist here because they are generally the only Dr's who will prescribe large amounts of these drugs on a continuous basis. They are almost always anesthesiologists.

I am not questioning the legitimacy of your condition or the treatment plan your Dr has you on. I am just telling you to the best of my ability what you are likely to face here (I am a chronic pain patient as well receiving treatment here for over 2 years now). It is really not that different than in America. If you walk into a Dr asking for 240 pain pills with no documentation, you will be laughed out of the office. The Dr's here are going to want to see the same. So that is really my best suggestion.... You need to come as prepared as possible.

Some government hospitals in BKK have dedicated clinics for chronic pain management..... But not all. I do not know about CM, or anywhere else.

However, my honest recommendation is that if you are only paying 10 baht per pill now and you have a Dr that will prescribe them..... That is only 80 baht per day on medication in your case. That is pretty good and saves the potential nightmare of trying to find a cooperative Dr at a government hospital.

Edited February 17, 2016 by inbangkok

[jeffreysearch]

Thanks again inbangkok, yes no problem .. i just explain about my condition.... as per the 240 tabs p/m etc... yes not normal for most people ... but my doctor in Aust ,has no problem with it really .. he seen all my xrays and doctors diagnosis , so he understands ... it just if i move to Thailand ... i know its very different .. as i can see when reading other people here with pain issues ... and mostly i am aware of the stigma of `Codeine in thailand too ... but it is elsewhere in many countries now too ... the price i am paying is in Australian $ ... as i said before .. the price i was told last time in CM.. was 200 bht for 20 tabs ... so it would be very expensive that way for me ..... not sure if any other Pain tabs would be a suitable replacement .. that was more available in LOS... or just keep on the Panadeine forte i am on now ??? ok .. thanks for your reply here ... maybe its a help for others to read as well.. i might ask in the Hospital in CM or Jomtien next month ...

[ignis]

Thanks again inbangkok, yes no problem .. i just explain about my condition.... as per the 240 tabs p/m etc... yes not normal for most people ... but my doctor in Aust ,has no problem with it really .. he seen all my xrays and doctors diagnosis , so he understands ... it just if i move to Thailand ... i know its very different .. as i can see when reading other people here with pain issues ... and mostly i am aware of the stigma of `Codeine in thailand too ... but it is elsewhere in many countries now too ... the price i am paying is in Australian $ ... as i said before .. the price i was told last time in CM.. was 200 bht for 20 tabs ... so it would be very expensive that way for me ..... not sure if any other Pain tabs would be a suitable replacement .. that was more available in LOS... or just keep on the Panadeine forte i am on now ??? ok .. thanks for your reply here ... maybe its a help for others to read as well.. i might ask in the Hospital in CM or Jomtien next month ...

No idea how things work in Australia if your not there in person..

Talking to a guy last month [known for past 11 years] lives 2 Villages away, he is from UK in his 80's and is still registered with his UK Dr, he get his Medication free, he says he just e-mails his Dr and the meds are sent over.. or if his ex or his son are coming here then they go to his UK Dr and pick them up and bring them...

just wonder if that could be an option ?

myself back in 2003 asked my UK Dr for extra as coming here to live, he gave me my prescription for 6 months. [maybe would give you time to sort out where to buy here, and or try some Thai version cheaper and see if they work]

Edit: buying from a Hospital = very expensive here... To be a Pharmacist here you have to have English, so any Thai Pharmacy would be the cheapest + most could recommend a local brand cheaper

Edited February 17, 2016 by ignis

[inbangkok]

Thanks again inbangkok, yes no problem .. i just explain about my condition.... as per the 240 tabs p/m etc... yes not normal for most people ... but my doctor in Aust ,has no problem with it really .. he seen all my xrays and doctors diagnosis , so he understands ... it just if i move to Thailand ... i know its very different .. as i can see when reading other people here with pain issues ... and mostly i am aware of the stigma of `Codeine in thailand too ... but it is elsewhere in many countries now too ... the price i am paying is in Australian $ ... as i said before .. the price i was told last time in CM.. was 200 bht for 20 tabs ... so it would be very expensive that way for me ..... not sure if any other Pain tabs would be a suitable replacement .. that was more available in LOS... or just keep on the Panadeine forte i am on now ??? ok .. thanks for your reply here ... maybe its a help for others to read as well.. i might ask in the Hospital in CM or Jomtien next month ...

There are not many options here. Tha vast majority of opioid pain medication that is used in the west is not available in Thailand. The options are tramadol, codeine and morphine in regards to immediate release pain killers.

200 baht for 20 tabs still does not sound very expensive to me. That would be 80 baht per day with your current dose, correct? Less than $3 USA. Even in Cambodia, where codeine can be purchased OTC in pharmacies....the cheapest I have seen it is $5 for 40 pills about 2 years back.

[inbangkok]

Thanks again inbangkok, yes no problem .. i just explain about my condition.... as per the 240 tabs p/m etc... yes not normal for most people ... but my doctor in Aust ,has no problem with it really .. he seen all my xrays and doctors diagnosis , so he understands ... it just if i move to Thailand ... i know its very different .. as i can see when reading other people here with pain issues ... and mostly i am aware of the stigma of `Codeine in thailand too ... but it is elsewhere in many countries now too ... the price i am paying is in Australian $ ... as i said before .. the price i was told last time in CM.. was 200 bht for 20 tabs ... so it would be very expensive that way for me ..... not sure if any other Pain tabs would be a suitable replacement .. that was more available in LOS... or just keep on the Panadeine forte i am on now ??? ok .. thanks for your reply here ... maybe its a help for others to read as well.. i might ask in the Hospital in CM or Jomtien next month ...

No idea how things work in Australia if your not there in person..

Talking to a guy last month [known for past 11 years] lives 2 Villages away, he is from UK in his 80's and is still registered with his UK Dr, he get his Medication free, he says he just e-mails his Dr and the meds are sent over.. or if his ex or his son are coming here then they go to his UK Dr and pick them up and bring them...

just wonder if that could be an option ?

myself back in 2003 asked my UK Dr for extra as coming here to live, he gave me my prescription for 6 months. [maybe would give you time to sort out where to buy here, and or try some Thai version cheaper and see if they work]

Edit: buying from a Hospital = very expensive here... To be a Pharmacist here you have to have English, so any Thai Pharmacy would be the cheapest + most could recommend a local brand cheaper

He gets prescription pain killers shipped here? If so, that is very unusual and I am gonna go out on a limb here and guess the vast majority of Dr's would not do such a thing. I am guessing the medication he is getting shipped here are not controlled substances......

[ignis]

Thanks again inbangkok, yes no problem .. i just explain about my condition.... as per the 240 tabs p/m etc... yes not normal for most people ... but my doctor in Aust ,has no problem with it really .. he seen all my xrays and doctors diagnosis , so he understands ... it just if i move to Thailand ... i know its very different .. as i can see when reading other people here with pain issues ... and mostly i am aware of the stigma of `Codeine in thailand too ... but it is elsewhere in many countries now too ... the price i am paying is in Australian $ ... as i said before .. the price i was told last time in CM.. was 200 bht for 20 tabs ... so it would be very expensive that way for me ..... not sure if any other Pain tabs would be a suitable replacement .. that was more available in LOS... or just keep on the Panadeine forte i am on now ??? ok .. thanks for your reply here ... maybe its a help for others to read as well.. i might ask in the Hospital in CM or Jomtien next month ...

No idea how things work in Australia if your not there in person..

Talking to a guy last month [known for past 11 years] lives 2 Villages away, he is from UK in his 80's and is still registered with his UK Dr, he get his Medication free, he says he just e-mails his Dr and the meds are sent over.. or if his ex or his son are coming here then they go to his UK Dr and pick them up and bring them...

just wonder if that could be an option ?

myself back in 2003 asked my UK Dr for extra as coming here to live, he gave me my prescription for 6 months. [maybe would give you time to sort out where to buy here, and or try some Thai version cheaper and see if they work]

Edit: buying from a Hospital = very expensive here... To be a Pharmacist here you have to have English, so any Thai Pharmacy would be the cheapest + most could recommend a local brand cheaper

He gets prescription pain killers shipped here? If so, that is very unusual and I am gonna go out on a limb here and guess the vast majority of Dr's would not do such a thing. I am guessing the medication he is getting shipped here are not controlled substances......

No idea what he gets other than Metformin and blood pressure pills... both these items I showed him my receipt, it is very very cheap here + cost less than the postage he pays having them sent. got the impression he has other meds but no idea what, he did say another name but no idea as do not take myself.

[Sheryl]

You are going to have to see a pain management specialist, of which there are not many, and they are not going to go along with the regimen you are on, I can 90% guarantee. They will want to switch you to non-narcotics or at least substantially reduce the narcotic amount by using adjunct drugs like gabapentin, tricylics, NSAIDs etc.

Pain management is a very weak area in Thai medical practice and Thailand is really, really not the best place for it. I suggest you discuss with your doctor in Australia the possibility of other regimens that involve fewer narcotics and try the adjustment while still in Oz and it is easier to go back on high dose narcotics if you have to. Once in Thailand your options will be very limited.

Note as well that special permission is needed to bring codeine in which you when you come (not as hard to arrange as it sounds, but there is paperwork involved) and you are limited to a 30 day supply.

[jeffreysearch]

Thanks inbangkok and Sheryl, just a thought ... maybe i can test ` Tramadol when i am here for 4 weeks .. to see how it goes .. it seems not so restrictive to get ? reading some of the posts so far .... do you think i can get a few packs or strips .. or i need a script from my doctor for them ? maybe i can ask around some pharmacies to see if they can do it, after all .. i just need some pain relief for sleeping and manage pain each day ... any thoughts very appreciated .. and would it be a cheaper option.. as per the single packet cost of Panadeine forte ... etc. for larger doses ... of course ..if i do plan to live there more permanent ? i would need to find a pain management specialist ,

[jeffreysearch]

Thanks again inbangkok, yes no problem .. i just explain about my condition.... as per the 240 tabs p/m etc... yes not normal for most people ... but my doctor in Aust ,has no problem with it really .. he seen all my xrays and doctors diagnosis , so he understands ... it just if i move to Thailand ... i know its very different .. as i can see when reading other people here with pain issues ... and mostly i am aware of the stigma of `Codeine in thailand too ... but it is elsewhere in many countries now too ... the price i am paying is in Australian $ ... as i said before .. the price i was told last time in CM.. was 200 bht for 20 tabs ... so it would be very expensive that way for me ..... not sure if any other Pain tabs would be a suitable replacement .. that was more available in LOS... or just keep on the Panadeine forte i am on now ??? ok .. thanks for your reply here ... maybe its a help for others to read as well.. i might ask in the Hospital in CM or Jomtien next month ...

There are not many options here. Tha vast majority of opioid pain medication that is used in the west is not available in Thailand. The options are tramadol, codeine and morphine in regards to immediate release pain killers.

200 baht for 20 tabs still does not sound very expensive to me. That would be 80 baht per day with your current dose, correct? Less than $3 USA. Even in Cambodia, where codeine can be purchased OTC in pharmacies....the cheapest I have seen it is $5 for 40 pills about 2 years back.

Just to say .... if you work out 240 tabs at 200 bht per box(20) if i use the same as now.. it would work out to be close to $100 AUD... the same amount here in Aust is about $45... quite amazing difference on a permanent basis ,,,, some things are not cheaper in LOS... because i can only get Codeine /paracetamol tabs in a hospital pharmacy only .. so i have been told ?

Edited February 17, 2016 by jeffreysearch

[Sheryl]

Thanks inbangkok and Sheryl, just a thought ... maybe i can test ` Tramadol when i am here for 4 weeks .. to see how it goes .. it seems not so restrictive to get ? reading some of the posts so far .... do you think i can get a few packs or strips .. or i need a script from my doctor for them ? maybe i can ask around some pharmacies to see if they can do it, after all .. i just need some pain relief for sleeping and manage pain each day ... any thoughts very appreciated .. and would it be a cheaper option.. as per the single packet cost of Panadeine forte ... etc. for larger doses ... of course ..if i do plan to live there more permanent ? i would need to find a pain management specialist ,

You can get tramadol over the counter here but most pharmacies restrict the amount they sell at a time and some don't carry it at all.

However I very much recommend against waiting until you are in Thailand to try the switch from codeine to tramadol. Much better to do it under your doctor's supervision while still in Oz. Among other things, you have now a physical opiate dependency and stopping abruptly could cause withdrawal symptoms.

In fact the very large amount of codeine you are taking may well be because of the tolerance you have developed to it. This is an undesirable situation for reasons beyond coming to Thailand. Should you newly develop acute severe pain for any reason -- having to have surgery, for example, or developing cancer or other new condition -- you would not get relief from normal doses of opiates. (I am also surprised you are not having major problems with constipation)

I have seen people with terminal cancer in whom no dose of opiate -- even many times the normal lethal level - could relieve the pain. It was not a pretty sight.

You really need to be looking for better alternatives. Depending on the location of the pain and nerves involved, nerve blocks or ablation might be possibilities. As might multi-drug combinations that include non-opiates combined with lesser doses of opiate. But getting off the currently high dose will have to be well managed.

There are pain management specialists in Oz, consult one.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

The best is to not depend on prescription drugs and weather the pain or you will find yourself addicted.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

MAYBE you should spend a month in cambodia and stop taking those meds and eat a happy pizza or a happy pumkin soup (if you are vegan) twice a day. Natural and you will save a ton of money.

[inbangkok]

The best is to not depend on prescription drugs and weather the pain or you will find yourself addicted.

People like you are of absolutely no help on these situations. Just be glad you don't suffer from chronic pain. And if you ever have the misfortune of an accident that does leave you in chronic pain..... Then..... And only then...... You can show everyone how tough you are by not depending on pain killers......

Your statement is also factually incorrect (aside from just plain stupid). The vast majority of people using pain meds under the supervision of their Dr. do not become addicted.

[inbangkok]

Thanks again inbangkok, yes no problem .. i just explain about my condition.... as per the 240 tabs p/m etc... yes not normal for most people ... but my doctor in Aust ,has no problem with it really .. he seen all my xrays and doctors diagnosis , so he understands ... it just if i move to Thailand ... i know its very different .. as i can see when reading other people here with pain issues ... and mostly i am aware of the stigma of `Codeine in thailand too ... but it is elsewhere in many countries now too ... the price i am paying is in Australian $ ... as i said before .. the price i was told last time in CM.. was 200 bht for 20 tabs ... so it would be very expensive that way for me ..... not sure if any other Pain tabs would be a suitable replacement .. that was more available in LOS... or just keep on the Panadeine forte i am on now ??? ok .. thanks for your reply here ... maybe its a help for others to read as well.. i might ask in the Hospital in CM or Jomtien next month ...

There are not many options here. Tha vast majority of opioid pain medication that is used in the west is not available in Thailand. The options are tramadol, codeine and morphine in regards to immediate release pain killers.

200 baht for 20 tabs still does not sound very expensive to me. That would be 80 baht per day with your current dose, correct? Less than $3 USA. Even in Cambodia, where codeine can be purchased OTC in pharmacies....the cheapest I have seen it is $5 for 40 pills about 2 years back.

Just to say .... if you work out 240 tabs at 200 bht per box(20) if i use the same as now.. it would work out to be close to $100 AUD... the same amount here in Aust is about $45... quite amazing difference on a permanent basis ,,,, some things are not cheaper in LOS... because i can only get Codeine /paracetamol tabs in a hospital pharmacy only .. so i have been told ?

Medication is often more expensive here than in other countries. What you pay in Australia really has no effect on the reality of medication costs here in Thailand.

[jacky54]

very difficult now to get generic tramodol, the only place I know sometimes has it is still Boots, but it's about 300 baht for 10 so not generic I assume, they make you sign for it. Only trouble with it and similar drugs is it can cause bad constipation