Getting Prescriptions over the counter

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JWhite
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Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby JWhite » Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:23 pm

We are looking to spend some months with our daughter in Costa Del Sol and were wondering if we can get our regular prescriptions over the counter without seeing a doctor ? I have heard that some people simply take in their repeat prescriptions and the Farmacia over there soughts it out.

We take Lisinopril (blood pressure tablets) and Lansoprazole (anti-gastric capsules for my severe digestive problems) (for me) and my husband takes Phenobarbitone for his epilepsy. We may be staying permanently depending on whether their work prospects improve which is why we don't want to sign off with our doctor in the UK, but in the meantime we will need our medications. We will take enough for a couple of months like we did last time we visited her but eventually we will need to get them over the counter.

Does anyone take these medicines or know whether they are available over the counter ?

TIA

Nimrod
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Nimrod » Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:46 pm

Can't speak for all of them but certainly omeprazole is available over the counter,and cheap too.
I take adalat and atenolol for hypertension and they are available otc,but can't speak for your drug.
It wouldn't surprise me if it was available.

JWhite
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby JWhite » Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:53 pm

What sort of cost would i be looking at per item ?

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gerryh
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby gerryh » Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:27 pm

If your daughter already lives in Spain then she can easily go into any Farmacia and ask them if those particular drugs are available over the counter and how much do they cost.
We have always been surprised how cheap medicines are here in Spain. Many of them are generic medicines and not big brand names that are more expensive.
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Gerry
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Nimrod
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Nimrod » Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:38 pm

omeprazole was 4-5 euros for 28 days.
My hypertension drugs were a little bit more,can't remember the price but not exorbutant.

JWhite
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby JWhite » Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:54 pm

Sounds like I will not have a problem so I will just play it by ear and take them in when I get there. :wink:

Nimrod
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Nimrod » Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:45 pm

Don't forget you can get 2 or 3 months prescriptions in advance(easier if you're on a 6 month batch) in the uk and take them to spain with you.

JWhite
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby JWhite » Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:07 pm

Yes I know, thanks.

Nimrod
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Nimrod » Thu Jan 29, 2015 12:09 am

As an aside,I usually top up with an antibiotic,amoxycillin,or similar when in spain.
By the time I get it prescribed in the UK my finger,foot,leg,has likely dropped off.

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Martin Page
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Martin Page » Thu Jan 29, 2015 1:58 pm

You wont find amoxicillin so easy to get now, if at all, without Prescription - The pharmacies have really tightened up on antibiotics

katy
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby katy » Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:40 pm

Nimrod wrote:As an aside,I usually top up with an antibiotic,amoxycillin,or similar when in spain.
By the time I get it prescribed in the UK my finger,foot,leg,has likely dropped off.
So did I but our farmacia local stopped selling them years ago. Not many places in you can get them now. I got some last year in Sorrento but have tried a few Caribbean Islands and no chance.

I agree though that they should stop selling them...just not to me :)

katy
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby katy » Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:42 pm

I wonder how much Germans have to pay for their prescriptions ? our local farmacia was often full of them with a shopping list.

JWhite
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby JWhite » Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:57 pm

By the way, when asking for medication for say blood pressure over the counter, do they supply them in 28 day, or 2 month supplies, or can you ask for how many you need ?

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firsttango
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby firsttango » Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:10 pm

With Antibiotics over the counter I think if they know you then they sell them to you. I tried to buy some in two farmacia's that I'd never used before in Rincon recently and both said a prescription was needed. However the next morning went in to my local farmacia where they've known me for many years and as normal had no problem getting them over the counter, "Amoxicilina Ardine 1Gram x 30 tablets, bought 3 boxes at approx €5 a box

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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Lyric » Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:19 pm

If a couple of days wait is ok I will ask, I have Lisinopril and Lercanipidino on scrip and will check if I can buy them. I suspect not as my doctor does not usually give me a scrip for stuff I can buy if it's not too expensive unless I complain, like the 8€ ear drops, 80c is so much better.

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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby katy » Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:20 pm

First Tango. That'll be it then, I had only been using that farmacia for 10 years :lol: perhaps yours is just bending the rules :think:

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firsttango
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby firsttango » Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:38 pm

Yes Katy I reckon that will be it then

Lyric
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Lyric » Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:14 pm

I have been advised by my pharmacia that my heart attack pills are OTC, sin receta.

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gus
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby gus » Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:32 pm

Do you take these after a heart attack?

Lyric
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Re: Getting Prescriptions over the counter

Postby Lyric » Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:09 pm

Isn't that the idea ? prolong the pain.


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