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Prescription Med availability

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aspissinger
  1/29/2014 20:57 EST

Hello,
We are seriously considering moving to CR but have one or two major concerns. Neiher my husband nor i are in the best of health, arthritis, fibromyalgia, herniated discs in back and neck, and pre-diabetic. We deal with several doctors here in the states but I believe most of our ailments can be managed by one or two good internists. Unfortunately, we have had to take prescription narcotic pain medication for the past several years and do not want to move anywhere where it would not be accessible. Does anyone know if there are such things as pain management clinics in CR and if it is extremely difficult to get prescribed methadone or oxycodone. I have MRI's and years of drs notes to back this up. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Andrea

jayhb62
  10/19/2017 07:50 EST

Antibiotics are available WITHOUT a prescription. One can walk into a farmacia and get, for example, azithromycin (Zithromax) without a prescription.

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Kohl
  10/18/2017 11:05 EST

Antibiotics, narcotics, or psychotropic drugs will need a prescription written by a Costa Rican doctor.

Jeanluc
  10/18/2017 10:10 EST

Can anyone tell me about the availability of Morphine through the farmacias?

Sulilly
  10/17/2017 17:08 EST

I just searched the Fischel Farmacia and they have Maxalt melts (rizatriptan) 2 tabs for $32.

No way can I afford this. But if you are desperate here is the link: http://www.fischelenlinea.com/detalle.aspx?producto=nPQRPQc

Sulilly
  10/17/2017 16:55 EST

I have lived here for 7 years and unless you are willing to pay $30 per pill of Imitrex you should bring your prescription meds with you. They have Avamigran (Ergotamine)at $1 per pill but they are not quite as effective and tend to lead to more rebound migraines.

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mollywix
  4/6/2017 10:17 EST

This post is a few years old, I am wondering if this is still case? I threw my back out this week, am leaving on Saturday, and super busy. I just made an appt with doc but nor sure I can make it. I really want to surf and with some good meds for a few days and exercise done properly, it usually clears up. I am worried it will act up because of plane travel. It would be great of I could buy something with codiene in it in case something comes up. I was able to buy oxa forte in DR last year and found it helpful...

laurieoftexas
  10/2/2015 19:20 EST

Hi there. I saw the other inquiry about a particular type of medication that someone was concerned about getting in Costa Rica. I am also concerned about the medication that I take for chronic, severe back, hip and leg pain that I've endured over 19 years due to a botched surgery. Does anyone know if you can obtain what is normally a triplicate RX in the U.S. called Methadone? I take 10 mg. twice a day. I seriously doubt it can be obtained without a prescription, but if it is possible to get with a RX, I would greatly appreciate knowing. This is what might keep me from moving to Panama and would have to move to Costa Rica. It is a choice between the two; the medication being the main reason for choosing CR over Panama. Thanks so much! Have a blessed day. I really appreciate this web site and all the information that can be obtained from it. You guys are awesome! :)

conceicao
  10/2/2015 19:00 EST

What about medication for high blood pressure?
I'm going to ask my doctor in Canada to give me a letter so that I can show it to the pharmacist.
Will I need an appointment too?
I wonder if anyone knows about the cost of that medication!
Thanks.

shermanwc
  10/2/2015 08:18 EST

My wife periodically purchases Oxa Forte and Tramadol at our Farmacia over the counter without a prescription (for her back problems).

TiinaLong
  10/2/2015 05:08 EST

That's for all the good information. do you know if the oxa forte is still available without a prescription? I'm traveling to CR and other areas for a number of months (from Australia) and I have major back issues and my doc here is not happy with giving me enough pills to last the whole time. Do you have any issues when asking for them in the pharmacy? thank you :)

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shermanwc
  7/18/2015 12:27 EST

You can try searching this CR pharmacy online to find availability and cost of meds that they carry:

http://www.fischelenlinea.com/

marty333
  7/18/2015 12:00 EST

Is there a way to find out the availability and costs of which medications my wife and I are on?

laurieoftexas
  7/18/2015 01:22 EST

Thank you, too, Judy, for your information. I will definitely do a search to find out where those pain management clinics are located. I appreciate your information as well. You guys are GREAT! :) Have a blessed weekend!

laurieoftexas
  7/18/2015 01:21 EST

Hi Kohl and the other folks who responded to my question about Methadone RXs availability in C.R. I really appreciate your input. I am delighted to hear you can obtain them with a doctor's prescription. That is how I've been taking them for over 10 years. Of course, I have all sorts of medical tests that have been done that show my spinal problems, so I feel sure if I brought those along with my current pain management doctor's records, they should be agreeable to providing continuing RXs. I was planning to move to Panama but then found out the only way you can obtain that particular medication there is to be hospitalized. I don't want to have to do that every month, but I do not mind paying a co-pay each month for the RX and a doctor's visit. That's great. I so appreciate the information. Thank you kindly! Many blessings for your great weekend. :)

JudyKerr
  7/17/2015 08:40 EST

Costa Rica has pain clinics, some located within hospitals, throughout the country. These clinics often use sophisticated techniques with pill supplementation. Do a search for: Costa Rica pain clinics or similar.

Kohl
  7/16/2015 16:02 EST

Forgot to mention, you will have to make/pay for a doctors appointment to get a new Rx every month.

Kohl
  7/16/2015 10:37 EST

Some pharmacies will stock them, but not all... and will usually require a Rx. from CR doctor, who may require that you pay for tests be done to show that you really do require them.

laurieoftexas
  7/16/2015 00:39 EST

Hi, Like the other lady who wrote about the availability of narcotic meds, I have had to be on Methadone (2 =-10 mg. tablets twice a day) for the past 10+ years due to a very botched surgery. I am wondering if it's possible to obtain Methadone there in Costa Rica in ANY province? If so, please let me know which one it would be. I was thinking about moving to Panama but just discovered you can only get narcotic meds there if you are hospitalized. No other way. That won't work for me as it is the ONLY pain med that works so far. I've tried them all. Oxycontin also seems to work but haven't been able to get any RXs of it in years. I would appreciate any information anyone can provide on the availability of either Methadone or Oxycontin. Thank you so very much! Blessings to you all! :)

valentinaduran
  2/2/2014 20:09 EST

Your very welcome!! I'm happy to help and I will also be searching for some of these myself next time I'm in Costa Rica.,.those migraines are quite painful and you definitely need meds for them sometimes.

sbrooke
  2/2/2014 19:02 EST

valentinaduran,

Thank you so much for the information. It is very helpful. We will be in CR for short trip the end of May and will check with a couple of farmacias.

valentinaduran
  2/2/2014 16:47 EST

wasnt referring to any shipping issue...just when u travel to n from CR..i think as long as u have a small undetectable supply u can come into the US w/out any issues..again hopefully it is not detected just in case..but since it is prescription free n CR..US cusoms shouldnt have an issue with it..again if u have a large supply then u would cuz they'll think ur gonna sell it here which is illegal..lost of ppl..go to get meds in CR, Canada, Mexico that r prescription free for their own supply because they don';t have health insurance(me) n it would be highly expensive to see a dr.. n then get what he/she wants to give u as meds..almost everything here in the US is w prescription only..huge profitable business..only some allergy meds were liberated in the last 3 yrs or so..so when i go to CR i buy lots of meds so i have for personal use when i come back, but now some meds have come under prescription control too n have become more expensive, so this has affected me n others..smaller purchases

Kohl
  2/2/2014 16:37 EST

Valentina, not sure of what you mean by ' always prescription free' . Through the mail or courier services these are not permitted nor are simple items like calcium. They will be confiscated.
The courier companies will not even accept them.

valentinaduran
  2/2/2014 16:22 EST

u wouldnt get it anyway...just heard last night a story of a tica here in miami that decide to send my regular mail all these stamped n translated, sealed docs from consulate to her brother n they never got there..in ur luggage u can bring as much as u can..have prescription just in case but since it is sold n CR w.out prescription it shouldnt be a problem...natural supplements r fine as well..i hope it is always prescription free, seeing a doctor has becomes expensive n CR n he might not give u what u want anyway

Kohl
  2/2/2014 16:15 EST

Also be aware that meds and/or food supplements cannot be shipped to Costa Rica. by mail or courier, unless you have an import license for every item!!
Expensive and time consuming

http://www.aeropost.com/web/frontend/restringidos?lang=_eng&country=sjo

valentinaduran
  2/2/2014 15:45 EST

Ok got some info 4u...they do sell without prescription imitrex n they also sell w/out prescription other antimigraine meds..such as... amrge, axert, frova, maxalt and relpax..they used to sell flexiban which is a muscle relaxant which help w migraines too but don't anymore n changed it fro cyclopenzaprine which i don't like the same as flexiban..when u fins a pharmacy that u like n sells it..talk to them bout your supply need so they always have stock n order in time...things take forever over there n also try to go with a chain that why wherever u r u can go to that pharmacy..prices do vary though from province n area..the more touristy or upscale the more expensive..for me my migraines are mostly triggered by certain seasonings, excess of sodium, my sulfites allergy(once i pass a limit)lack of sleep, severe stress but i find that little changes here n there greatly reduce then,,however once they r there n the pain in unbearable u have to have some meds to alleviate them cause they can last for hours and be severely debilitating..also try any natural medicine, health shops..yrs ago they would sell at walgreens this natural supplement that contained riboflavin, magnesium and something else that really prevented my migraines.i was so happy but then they stopped selling it..not sure if vitamin shoppe sells it..but try that too b4 going on meds 4ever..God Bless!!

valentinaduran
  1/31/2014 09:36 EST

Hi...I ll get back 2u later 2nite..I have a pharmacist friend in Heredia..I have heard of that med n im pretty sure it ssold n CR..but let me make sure..I ll email my friend..be aware price of meds have gone up a lot n CR..even contact lenses solution s expensive..stock up in a US, Walmart on meds n otc items..b4 moving here..trust me..I do not live n CR..I own a house n go, twice a yr n have family n friends there n watch the CR news every evening via cable..so Im always informed..too much id say.

sbrooke
  1/31/2014 08:23 EST

valentinaduran,

My wife has migraines and is currently being prescribed Imitrex (Sumatriptan) for it. This provides her with significant relief. Could you tell me whether or not this medication is available in Costa Rica? This is a concern of ours as we are going to be spending several months in CR starting next November.

valentinaduran
  1/30/2014 10:42 EST

I get severe migraines n was prescribed 800mg naproxen..I get 200mg aleve or generic otc now n w just 2pills 400mgtotal..get relief

shermanwc
  1/30/2014 10:09 EST

My wife used to take Vicodin periodically for arthritis and back problems in the USA, but as noted above, Vicodin is not available in Costa Rica. She was able to get a prescription for 10 mg Oxycontin, but that is stronger than what she prefers to take. There are two other less potent medications that can be purchased without a prescription: Oxa Forte (50 mg codeine + 50 mg Diclofenac) and Arcedol (30 mg codeine + 500 mg acetaminophen). And of course you can get ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Aleve over the counter. I also take blood pressure and thyroid meds, available without a prescription.

Kohl
  1/30/2014 08:38 EST

Your narcotic pain medications, cannot be purchased 'over the counter' like many other medications can be, which is to be expected.
While as a legal resident you would be covered for most medications, serious conditions would be better managed by the private facilities, as you suggest,. There may well be pain management clinics in San Jose, so you would be best to live in the Central Valley.
It will take at least a year to get coverage by the CAJA and the private insurance, INS, will not cover you existing conditions.

Resident requirements: http://www.costaricalaw.com/Immigration-and-Residency/residency-general-information-and-summary.html

Suggest you visit first and see what is available and whether CR has what you need.

dustymar
  1/30/2014 08:28 EST

I have similar medical issues (except for the pre-diabetes) and I can really empathize with your concerns. It has been a real challenge. In the states I was on MS Contin and Vicodin (among lots of other-non-narcotic meds). What I've discovered is: 1) there is apparently no Vicodin (hydrocodone + tylenol) in the country.2) The only MS Contin that was available was an injectible which I was willing to get. My doc said that there was one pharmacy in Alajuela that had it. We drove down and when we got there the the pharmacist said there was no more in the WHOLE COUNTRY until January (this was late November) but if he could get more he'd call me. (It was going to cost $160 for my month's supply). I had already switched to Oxycontin at night (I still had some MS Contin from the states) so I asked the doc to prescribe it 2X/day instead of hoping to get the MS Contin. So now I take Oxy 2X/day ($140/mo.) and it is not as effective (the MS was extended release and I guess the Oxy isn't). I do not want to increase the dose, so I just stop functioning at about 6 p.m. and go to bed. I don't know anything about other narcotic meds. I get a little nervous every month when it's time to refill, because I don't know whether or if the oxy will be available. I would give anything to be off of these, but I also don't want to be bedridden and inactive, so I guess it's a trade-off.

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