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Aspirin in Ecuador

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EcuadorDean
  5/23/2016 16:37 EST

Well my impression of life in Ecuador has hit a new low today. I was accustom to having to buy aspirin in a pharmacy here which can be very inconvenient at times but now.... YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION! This is a new law passed recently! So every time I have a headache I must go to a doctor??? How many will I be able to buy at once? This must have been pushed through by some medical group seeking to make more money for their doctors, what else could be the logic behind anything this stupid? My god in Canada we can buy 222's that are laced with codeine with no prescription. In the US and most countries you can buy aspirin right off the self in any quantity you like. I have noticed in most latin countries where drugs are cheaper the aspirins come in sealed sheets like if they were gold.
Can anyone explain this???

moodyblue8363
  5/23/2016 18:08 EST

That went into effect a couple of weeks ago due to the need of earthquake victims from what I've read. I would think it will go back to the over the counter when there is not such a huge demand.

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GringoinQuito
  5/23/2016 18:14 EST

The reason they have done this is because of the AH1N1 virus. They do not want people self diagnosing. They want them to go to a doctor to see if the person has the virus so it doesn't spread. That is why they ask you for a prescription.

withoutego
  5/23/2016 18:37 EST

I can't explain it but I can return to Ecuador with a BIG bottle of 325mg tablets from Wally.

thanks for the heads up.

remember my mantra from five years of residence....

"it doesn't have to make sense"

sinasillysallicacid

OceanHideaway
  5/23/2016 19:25 EST

Two reasons...

H1N1 (Swine flu) has made an appearance in the country. ..

Dengue and Other mosquito borne illnesses...


The use of NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs) which includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin type), paproxen (Alleve type) and the use of any blood thinners can cause fatal hemmoraghes in the lungs.

To counter this possibility (and many a flu starts with just a headache) these medications are being controlled.

And if you think this is difficult for you with an occassional headache, it is extremely inconvenient for every woman who suffers menstrual cramps.

But we all seem to get by just fine and e don´t whine about it or immediately assume that the decision is based on a frivolous purpose.

Ecuador Dean... if you can´t handle living in Ecuador ... might I suggest moving on... Canada is lovely this time of year.

moodyblue8363
  5/23/2016 19:25 EST

GringoinQuito is correct now that I think back about the topic. It's the AH1N1 virus causing the prescriptions.

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moodyblue8363
  5/24/2016 08:18 EST

Psssssssssssssssst EcuadorDean, Look for the young Ecudorian dudes hangn' by the lamp post on the corner of the Farmacia's. They can hook you up with some killer aspirin........

Grasshopper
  5/24/2016 09:07 EST

Yeah man --(shhh)

...and for an extra two bucks you can sometimes score Bayer..

omg... that's the good stuff

OceanHideaway
  5/24/2016 18:23 EST

--- oh heck...if you combine that with caffeine...you really get a kick...we call that...

Exedrin!!!

...oh yeah man Ex... is the BEST!

... but never on an empty stomach...here have a brownie!

MoodyBlue
  5/24/2016 18:56 EST

Mmmmmmmm a magic brownie? Bring it on girl! Magic brownies: The aspirin substitute......

OceanHideaway
  5/24/2016 21:44 EST

Now calm down... I could have said ...

...here...have a cookie...by the time you finish it you'll feel right as rain

.Yeah.... have a cookie ;)

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moodyblue8363
  5/24/2016 21:53 EST

That must be one special cookie! It's all about the secret ingredients eh? ;)

Grasshopper
  5/25/2016 10:34 EST

Susan I got the cookie reference.. lol.

...and he did feel right as rain!

OceanHideaway
  5/25/2016 13:03 EST

The kids here in MOntanita are all of the Matrix generation...and tend to identify with various characters... mostly Neo...

...love hitting them with that line...

...their eyes bug out and then I say...

Not quite what you expected, hmmm?....

.... Loved that actress...and she really was my favorite character :)

MoodyBlue
  5/27/2016 08:25 EST

For any that just have to have Aspirin (or would like the option of having it when needed) there is a solution. You can make your own! Yes from the bark of a tree that holds the ingredients that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is derived from. This tree is in Ecuador also. Just Google > making home made aspirin to see what type tree and how easily it can be made.

Grasshopper
  5/27/2016 10:59 EST

The man is right!

Now, if we could just grow poppies and make a bit of "pod tea"... we would all be happy campers.

Y no necessito la pharmacia, entonces

Grasshopper
  5/27/2016 11:07 EST

Now why the hell did I use a "ph" instead of an F???

Susan, that was damn good cookie.

...I loved the Oracle too :)
She was my favorite program.

(I missed the lady in the red dress Dozer wrote)

Grasshopper
  5/27/2016 11:12 EST

No - that was the little guy who wrote her in.

Ah, well... I can't recall everything.

...or sometimes, anything.
I really really have got to stop with the bike wreck concussions. They say that they aren't good for you...

they may be right. I let remoore get under my skin on that loooong thread.. not like me.

Grasshopper
  5/27/2016 11:17 EST

I would apologize to you, remoore...

If I were someone else, that is. Lol.. just so happens, I ain't.

Yours truly,
"wonderman"

OceanHideaway
  5/28/2016 03:27 EST

Willow Bark Tea...

... is the original treatment.

It was then turned into a powdered form that was stirred into water, hence the phrase "taking a powder"

next it was added to baking soda to buffer the acidity. That also buffered stomach acid in general and became a welknown seltzer tablets that phizzed... after plopping...and were a famous headache and morning after remedy. (aspirin for headache, baking soda to balance the pH of the stomache, and water...for rehydration...

...wait a minute... you need asoarina... check if the St Andrews Tablets (our version of Alka Seltzer) have aspirin or are just fizzy baking soda. If it has asoirinf then....

...oh what a relief that is!

moodyblue8363
  5/28/2016 16:15 EST

El correcto Susan, You have won a cookie! The article I read about a guy that makes it say's the White Willow has the most ingredients for making aspirin.

OceanHideaway
  5/28/2016 23:00 EST

Here are all the names I can come up with for this tree bark...

Basket Willow, Bay Willow, Black Willow, Black Willow Extract, Brittle Willow, Corteza de Sauce, Crack Willow, Daphne Willow, Écorce de Saule, Écorce de Saule Blanc, European Willow, European Willow Bark, Extrait d’Écorce de Saule, Extrait d’Écorce de Saule Blanc, Extrait de Saule, Extrait de Saule Blanc, Knackweide, Laurel Willow, Lorbeerweide, Organic Willow, Osier Blanc, Osier Rouge, Purple Osier, Purple Osier Willow, Purple Willow, Purpurweide, Pussy Willow, Reifweide, Salicis Cortex, Salix alba, Salix daphnoides, Salix fragilis, Salix nigra, Salix pentandra, Salix purpurea, Saule, Saule Argenté, Saule Blanc, Saule Commun, Saule des Viviers, Saule Discolore, Saule Fragile, Saule Noir, Saule Pourpre, Silberweide, Violet Willow, Weidenrinde, White Willow, White Willow Bark, Willowbark, White Willow Extract, Willow Bark Extract.

But please...don´t play around. THis can be dangerous stuff. Just because it is natural does not mean it is safe...

Willow bark is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth for a short time (up to 12 weeks).

It may cause stomach upset and digestive system upset. It can also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions, particularly in people allergic to aspirin.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the safety of using willow bark during pregnancy. It’s best to avoid using it.

Using willow bark while breast-feeding is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Willow bark contains chemicals that can enter breast milk and have harmful effects on the nursing infant. Don’t use it if you are breast-feeding.

Children: Willow bark is POSSIBLY UNSAFE n children when taken by mouth for viral infections such as colds and flu. There is some concern that, like aspirin, it might increase the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome. Stay on the safe side and don’t use willow bark in children.

Bleeding disorders: Willow bark might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Kidney disease: Willow bark might reduce blood flow through the kidneys, which might lead to kidney failure in certain people. If you have kidney disease, don’t use willow bark.

Sensitivity to aspirin: People with ASTHMA, STOMACH ULCERS, DIABETES, GOUT, HEMOPHILIA, HYPOPROTHROMBINEMIA, or KIDNEY or LIVER DISEASE might be sensitive to aspirin and also willow bark. Using willow bark might cause serious allergic reactions. Avoid use.

Surgery: Willow bark might slow blood clotting. There is a concern it could cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using willow bark at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.


Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with WILLOW BARK
Willow bark might slow blood clotting. Taking willow bark along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.


Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
Aspirin interacts with WILLOW BARK
Willow bark contains chemicals similar to aspirin. Taking willow bark along with aspirin might increase the effects and side effects of aspirin.

Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate (Trilisate) interacts with WILLOW BARK
Willow bark contains chemicals that are similar to choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate). Taking willow bark along with choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate) might increase the effects and side effects of choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate).

Salsalate (Disalcid) interacts with WILLOW BARK
Salsalate (Disalcid) is called a salicylate. It's similar to aspirin. Willow bark also contains a salicylate similar to aspirin. Taking salsalate (Disalcid) along with willow bark might increase the effects and side effects of salsalate (Disalcid).

FInally...if you didn´t comprehend any of what you read above...then you are not knowledgeable about pharmaceuticals to self medicate...step back from the tea... see your docotr and...

...have a cookie and a nice cup of chamomile.

MoodyBlue
  5/29/2016 07:24 EST

Lots of info there Susan! I doubt that any well maybe someone would even go through the trouble of finding the correct tree and then making the concoction. I posted making it homemade as a joke from the ones flipping out over the prescription issue. Having a cookie and a cup of tasty tea would be so much easier! Cookie anyone?

Grasshopper
  5/29/2016 12:21 EST

Wow... no kidding. That was a lot of info.

And I agree, any "natural" remedies should be considered carefully. There are potent and possibly deadly alkaloids in so many plants.

The use of plant medicine in indigenous peoples interested me so much, ...and I had studied the history of ethnobotany... the father of which was Dr Richard Evens Shultz... furthered by his student Dr Mark Plotkin (sp?) and the time both spent in the Amazon . They were the motivation for me to study biology... and we're the reason for my interest in Ecuador

(Not, international living... I had never heard of it befoIe I came)

Grasshopper
  5/29/2016 12:23 EST

...just wanted to help learn and preserve some of the thousands of years of knowledge before it was lost to time and deforestation...

I can't say I have done a very good job in that.

cristos7
  5/30/2016 00:42 EST

Funny - in Eric Bogosian's "Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead", one role I played was a Doctor prescribing some drug which had a slew of common yet nasty side effects. In my research for the role I learned that the warnings list on plain ole Aspirin was so long and seriously scary that it would never make it past the FDA today...

Grasshopper
  5/31/2016 14:26 EST

@cristos

"Pounding nails in the floor with my forehead"?

That is one hell of a title, lol... was that a play?

It just sounds painful...

Hopp

cristos7
  5/31/2016 14:54 EST

Yeah, 12 consecutive roles, all pretty substantial, 2 hours (of madness) for me, and hopefully laughter for the audience. First performance I walked out of the theater in a state of shock and almost got run over. That "play" makes King Lear look like a walk through the park...;~<>

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