Medications available in Ecuador (Cuenca)?

Hi,

You seem to have done well finding alternative meds in Ecuador.  I am 66 and thinking of moving to Cuenca and have recently found out I have some autoimmune conditions and I'm taking a lot of vitamin D3 and other supplements right now.  Do you know if Vit D3 is readily available in the Cuenca area?  What about probiotics?  What about gluten free items? 

Thanks,

Linda

my wife takes morphine for pain as well as gabapentin. Does anyone know if these are available in Ecuador.

Hello,

I'm thinking of moving to Cuenca and would like to know if the medications listed below are available there. Also, the cost. If someone had an email address of a pharmacy or if someone can ask the pharmacist the next time they are getting their own medications, that would be very helpful and much appreciated.

-       Gabapentin 800MG

-    Meloxicam 25MG

-    Diclofenac 50MG

-    Methotrexate 2.5MG

-      Desonide Cream .05%

-    Desonide Lotion .05%

-    Clobetasol Propionate Solution .05%

-    Clobetasol Propionate Ointment .05%

-     Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray 50mcg

Thanks in advance,

Bruce Peterson

CuencaCurious wrote:

Hello,

I'm thinking of moving to Cuenca and would like to know if the medications listed below are available there. Also, the cost. If someone had an email address of a pharmacy or if someone can ask the pharmacist the next time they are getting their own medications, that would be very helpful and much appreciated.

-       Gabapentin 800MG

-    Meloxicam 25MG

-    Diclofenac 50MG

-    Methotrexate 2.5MG

-      Desonide Cream .05%

-    Desonide Lotion .05%

-    Clobetasol Propionate Solution .05%

-    Clobetasol Propionate Ointment .05%

-     Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray 50mcg

Thanks in advance,

Bruce Peterson

Do you have the Ecuadorian (Spanish) equivalent names?

For instance, I take Chlorthalidone, here it is called Clortalidona. The two pharmacies I use (Fybeca and Cruz Azul) would need the Spanish names to look them up. I got my translations at http://www.medicationdaily.com. I looked them up by the NDC number for example for the Chlorthalidone 00378-0222-01 and then translated the page using Google translate, printed it out and took it to the pharmacy, during one of my exploratory trips before moving here for my and my wife's meds.

HTH

symo

That's great information. Thanks!

Hi I hope you can find meds you need I to take a range of meds and people who do not know you may not understand why you take the meds you do. For me I am a saviour of much sexual abuse and I have PTSD an I fight depression so without all the meds I take I don't think I would be hear so don't listen to some one's advice about what you need to take they are full of hot air to say the least

In addition to needing special scrips for certain psychotropic or mind-altering drugs, scrips are needed at some pharmacies for anti-flu and anti-inflammation drugs.

The pharmacy chain Fybeca requires a doctor's prescription for the latter classes of drugs due to the swine flu pandemic that entered Ecuador six years ago.

(source:  posted at Fybeca in MegaMaxi 6 de diciembre Mall in Quito)

Do the pharmacists fill prescriptions without concern for doctor visits? Conditions change, dosages may need to be adjusted etc.

suefrankdahl wrote:

Do the pharmacists fill prescriptions without concern for doctor visits? Conditions change, dosages may need to be adjusted etc.

Most meds can be obtained at the farmacias without prescription.  The exceptions of which I am aware are the ones I mentioned in my previous post above.  Those require a signed doctor's prescription.

In ordering meds dozens of times over the years at the farmacias in Quito (besides these exceptions), I have never been questioned about the dosages.  If they have what I'm looking for, they always sell it to me, no questions asked.

cccmedia in Quito

I have only practical anecdotal experience and no official policy to render.

In Ecuador as in many countries, narcotics are strictly overseen and restricted. Western behavior modification drugs are often very hard to come by in non-western countries.

Most normal stuff is easy to find, easy to get, needs no prescription, and you can walk away with pretty much most meds you want just with the asking.

I bought a bunch of pedestrian meds in Ecuador and exited with them. A bunch. Common antibiotics, usual stuff, nothing questionable. But these things will cost you an insurance claim + deductible/copay + prescription cost + Dr. office visit in the US. That can easily amount to several hundred dollars or more in the US.

Three bucks in Ecuador, walk away with your purchase. And I felt confident with the legitimacy of the medicine. Most of it labeled Made In Ecuador.

A lot of the world is being overwhelmed with counterfeit medications. The box/container/pill looks all good and legitimate, but god only knows what's in there. India is a particular problem for distributing god-only-knows-what's-in-there meds. They are masters of fine counterfeit packaging, but less masterful when it comes to good quality medications. Their crap meds are widespread worldwide.

It's a dodgy business.

I can't help but think of the myriad of non pedestrian medications prescribed here. eg cardiac meds. They are prescribed based on the results of diagnostic tests, lab work, physical assessment. At some point you need to see a doctor. I do agree with you though about the cost of getting a script for say- antibiotics. The pharmaceutical industry is huge and their relationship with the medical community (nice word for industry) is what keeps it that way.

Even here in the US regular doctors are reluctant to prescribe psych meds. They are sort of another ball of wax and it is a CYA thing to send the patient to a psychiatrist even though prescribing information and recommendations are available

Have also read stuff about the counterfeit meds from India.What made you so confident about the "Made in Ecuador "
label? Are there any pharmaceutical factories down there???

Rest easy Mr and Mrs G. There are actually eight pharmaceutical labs (factory). Two in Guayquil and six in Quito. Most of them big EU and US names. EC belongs to an international regulatory agency IFPMA. It seems that like there Chinese friends it was a simple theft of intellectual property. Overriding the patents. In the US medications are on patent for a whopping eleven years the excuse being that they must pay off the research.

Dear Neil and Misty,
I had no idea that the health care system in Canada was in an abysmal state. We all know about the fraudulent practices occurring with Medicare and Medicaid in the U.S. and of course, a privatized health care system that simply breeds more corporate greed for the hospitals, physicians, and pharmaceutical companies at the expense of complacent American patients who often go bankrupt and lose their homes due to lack of health coverage. I won't continue with a diatribe here on U.S. politics, but it seems most of us are leaving Corporate America for the same reasons. I'm hoping to explore Cuenca in August but will return to VA to teach a while, contingent on taxes, medical care, who the next Presidential candidates will be. Just say no to Donald! It's good to know the information about the best facilities to buy Rx. I've also heard countless times from retirees in Ecuador and Panama that once their lifestyle changed (no more GMOs, no more trans fats but eating healthy, locally grown produce; walking everywhere, less pollution, less stress, ad nauseum), many no longer need that long list of medications which were probably overprescribed in the first place. Encouraging!
Regards,
PS

In response to your comment about unethical Rx practices in India --
OMG, nothing is scarier to ingest/imbibe than when you see these 3 words: "Made in China"!

PS

Headed for Ecuador January.  Planning to stay for awhile.   Just starting with Medicare.  Trying to figure out the best way to get prescriptions, i.e., least inconvenient, best price.  Here is my list.

Expensive ones:
Lyrica- 200 mg twice daily
Savella - 75 mg am, 50 mg pm

Less expensive (usually)
Atorvastatin 10 mg
Lisinopril 2.5 mg
Potassium 20 MEQ ER
Diltiazem1 80 mg CD
Trazadone 200 mg

On Mecidare Part D in US costs about $2200/yr.  Not sure if I can get more than 3 month supplies on some of these, could have them sent down.  Shipping time from one source looks like about 3 weeks for about $15.00 - does that seem about right?

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Ron

Welcome to the Ecuador forum, Ron.

Since basic logistical information is unknown to us -- including your length of stay in Ecuador and whether you will be traveling around -- I wouldn't attempt to offer up a strategy to set up your program.

I will give you this advice....

Do whatever you can to bring with you to EC at least a three-month supply of everything.

This project -- if you try to set it up before you leave for Ecuador -- has all the earmarks of running your life .. before, during and possibly even after your trip.

If I was in your position, I'd surrender to the idea that it's not going to be practical to do this perfectly while saving every possible penny.

I'd bring three-months supply with me.  I'd find out about the availability and prices by visiting the farmacias.  I'd try to avoid the myriad overseas shipping problems that could occur and just buy as much of the meds in Ecuador as possible for months 4, 5, etc. 

Most meds here can be purchased over the counter with no prescription.  The exceptions are drugs known as psicotrópicos and estupefacientes, which would be prescribed by a specialist in a $50 office visit if you need such.

This way that I would do it is designed to reduce mental anguish, not save you money.  The overall concept is to avoid the potential nightmares of shipping, receiving and dealing with bureaucracies -- Correos del Ecuador .. and the dogs of SENAE, in particular.

If you try to set things up in advance .. you can expect that your trip to Ecuador will be complicated and dominated by this project in about half a dozen different ways.

cccmedia in Quito

You can text me. I can help you **

Is NovoMix 30 FlexPen available in Ecuador ? How much is the price ?

I'm just going to lay it out there and see what response I get. Ok. Here goes.  I am a recovering heroin addict and I have been on methadone for close to a year now I have an opportunity to go to Ecuador where I was born and left when I was eight months old I am 38 now and I've never been there I would like to know if anybody knows what I need to do to enter the country with my  14 days worth of methadone, as I can't withdraw before I go it happened too quickly and this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me to see the city that I am from if somebody could please help with some information it would be greatly appreciated thank you very much. I would just like to know what is required and what to  expect

As long as you have a legitimately prescribed medication, in the original container, it should be no problem.

Bigboss68310 wrote:

I am a recovering heroin addict and I have been on methadone for close to a year now I have an opportunity to go to Ecuador where I was born.

Dear Big Boss,

Welcome to the Ecuador forum.

Methadone is regulated as a narcotic and is on the World Health Organization's list of essential drugs. 

In Ecuador, narcotics may not be prescribed by a regular doctor, instead you go to a specialist for an extra $20 a visit.  The specialist issues a receta especial which will be honored by pharmacies that carry the relevant drug.

If available, bring all of the following:  your original bottle or container, a note from your doctor stating the situation and a receipt.

If you still have family or contacts in Ecuador, contact them immediately, don't wait until arrival.  Ideally, this is what you want to know ASAP....

1. Contact information for a specialist doctor in the relevant city who is able to prescribe psicotrópicos y espeluznantes, which are classes of narcotics and mind-bending drugs, including methodone.

2.  Name of one or more pharmacies in the area that can dispense the drug, and the name it is called at such pharmaci(es). 

cccmedia

That is good advice.
           ??  All the old guys I know here don't take drugs on a daily basis. So many "gringos" have a laundry list of pharmaceuticals. Best advice might be to put the American Medical association where we put all the lawyers. Sorry to hear that you are in the med trap. Peace of mind is indeed what you should seek. I do use Xanax several nights a week at a dose of half a .5 tab, or. 25 MG. Sleep like a dead person. Good sleep is important for health. For me it's a tradeoff. My dogs blasting out of our bed severally times a night to chase cats, rats, raposas, or whatever else got in the property,  waking me up, or alprosolam.
I could stop allowing the doggies our bed,  but, naaaa,  I will continue the med. Good luck and have fun.

Hello, i wanted to know if you can help me find a doctor in Cuenca who can prescribe me Xanax. I was prescribed it in the States but i can't prove my script because I don't have it here so i was wondering if i can talk to a doctor about it. Thank you !

                                                                                 -Erick

No if anyone suffers from a lot of pain Ecuador is not a good place to come.
They give no one Morphine,oxycodone or anything else like that here.

***

Pain medications are available in Ecuador, from a specialist, usually charging $50 for a routine office visit. 

Pain medications and meds for mind-altering purposes are dispensed at the farmacias only with a specialist's receta especial.  Only the specialist may prescribe such narcóticos, psicotrópicos o estupefacientes.  Xanax is available, typically under another or generic name.

In Quito, get a specialist recommendation in person or by phone from Hospital Metropolitano de Ecuador.  In Cuenca, consider contacting hospital Mount Sinai or Santa Inez.

cccmedia in Quito

If necessary, your USA doctor may be able to send you copy of your old scrip or a brief description of why he or she prescribed it in your case.  Can be sent to you as an email attachment.

cccmedia in Quito

You say you only take do natural foods for your diabetes.
My husband was given a prescription for Metformin and I hate that he is taking it.
Would you mind sharing what you do?

Thank you
Eva French

I checked Fybeca's site, but came up empty.

Is Nasocort  / Triamcinolone Acetonide available in Ecuador??

I found that Flonase in USA is equal to  Flixonase in Ecuador. That's my second choice, though.

@pixlyjulie what city are you in? We will be in Cuenca. I take a low dose. .375 4x a day.

    @pixlyjulie what city are you in? We will be in Cuenca. I take a low dose. .375 4x a day.
   

    -@mba21

She has not posted on expat.com since 2013.