Hi,

I'm moving to Phuket and have been taking a blood pressure medicine called Candesartan, otherwise known in various countries as Atacand, Ratacand, Blopress or Amias.

Does anyone have any experience of getting this drug in Thailand? I have been told that it isn't available but that may not be true.

Many thanks.

Only available under Biopress brand in 8 and 16 mg size per MIMS Thailand

Blopress tab 8 mg (8 mg)

Takeda
Thai FDA Category : D
Form : Tablet
Contents : candesartan cilexetil
MIMS Class : Angiotensin II Antagonists
Color : Pink
Shape : Round
Size : 0.75 cm

No idea about Phuket, but found around where I live many Pharmacies open only in the evenings, the Doctor is working as a Dr in the Hospital in the day, even way out in the sticks Pharmacists speak English... take your pills or a copy of your Meds from your home Dr, ask what Thai Med over the counter is the same...... if they are not 100% sure they have a book so cannot go wrong..

Many thanks, gentlemen!

At least it's available in LOS so I'll track it down from here.

The pharmacist said that it was available only from a hospital. Is that true of many drugs here?

Cheers

Besides Biopress it is also available under brand name Todesaar which is locally made.

But may prove a bit hard to find in Phuket - you may do better to pick up a years supply at a time at one of the larger pharmacies in Bangkok.

Thank you Sheryl, that's an excellent idea!

Two brands - I messed up thinking the second name was maker rather than another brand - AFAIK category D is not controlled to Hospitals but when not a popular drug probably not at most drug stores.

yes, it is OTC, just may be hard to source in Phuket.

Since it's definitely OTC, I'll go to Boots here in Phuket and see if I can order it in bulk.

Thanks very much for your help.

I have registered with MIMS Thailand so I won't have to bother the forum with any more queries. I'm surprised to find that registering with MIMS is free. It's going to be very useful because you can see which drugs are OTC, which on prescription and which are more tightly controlled.