Medications

KJS73

New member
Feb 25, 2011
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I am planning on living in Santo Domingo for two months. I am concerned that I am on three prescribed medications and that I'll have a hard time filling them. I was thinking of trying to get off the medications. They are anti-depressant/anxiety meds. It's possible I won't really need them, but I need to see what my doctor says.

The medications are

Ativan
Celexa
Wellbutrin

Does anyone have any experience with the availability of these medications at pharmacies in Santo Domingo?

Thanks for any feedback. I love this forum. It's been very helpful with past trips to RD.
 

belgiank

Silver
Jun 13, 2009
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I cannot tell you about the availability of these meds. I suggest you forget about the brand, and look up the active ingredient.

What I can tell you is to prepare yourself to do some pharmacy-hopping. Sometimes they will have them, sometimes not.

For the meds I need, I know 6 pharmacies in the neighborhood. On a bad day, I will have to visit all 6 of them. Do not wait untill the last tablet to start searching.

BelgianK
 

bob saunders

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Jan 1, 2002
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dr1.com
I am planning on living in Santo Domingo for two months. I am concerned that I am on three prescribed medications and that I'll have a hard time filling them. I was thinking of trying to get off the medications. They are anti-depressant/anxiety meds. It's possible I won't really need them, but I need to see what my doctor says.

The medications are

Ativan
Celexa
Wellbutrin

Does anyone have any experience with the availability of these medications at pharmacies in Santo Domingo?

Thanks for any feedback. I love this forum. It's been very helpful with past trips to RD.

Why wouldn't you just bring a 3 month supply of them?
 

Criss Colon

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Jan 2, 2002
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I have my "Meds",sent to my son's address,and he sends them to me here in the DR via,"Express Parcel Service,"EPS".
No problems with DR "Customs",but there are no "Controlled Substances" in the package.
CC
 

ray718

New member
May 28, 2010
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Best bet

Why wouldn't you just bring a 3 month supply of them?

a great deal of your scripts are new drugs which might be hard to find in d.r. You should have your doctor write 90 supply on the scripts and fill them in the u.s. which should be no problem once u tell them your traveling abroad. I do this when I come for the summers.
 

jaiallen

New member
Jul 9, 2010
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They are all available, but as a Disabled Veteran with Vietnam PTSD who has had to take all of the above at one time or another, they're actually cheaper in the U.S., but again, as one poster stated, they are usually available at La Sirena. You can import them from EPS, I do directly from the VA pharmacy and haven't had any customs issues, not to say that it can't or wont happen, but I have been pretty lucky. Generally as long as it isn't a narcotic or Schedule I drug, it's not a major issue.

My experiences only here.
 

goldengirl5

New member
Mar 7, 2012
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Also shop for price. The monthly meds I take I have paid from 1200 pesos to 2100, depending on where I shop.
g.php
 

LTSteve

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Jul 9, 2010
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Hi:

Simple solution is to have your Dr. give you a prescription of a three months supply. You bring it with you. problem solved. Do not try to prescribe this medication for yourself by trying to find equivalents in the DR. You don't want to ween yourself off at this point. If you get to DR and then decide you need it then it becomes complicated to get it. Trust me I know what you are going through. Good luck.

LTS
 

latitude19

Active member
May 29, 2011
419
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Unfortunately I was born with a need for this stuff. I had klonopin (a benzodiazepene like ativan) and paxil shipped by Fedex overnight for, if i remember right, $45 or so to an out of the way location. It worked fine. Doing over again, would put the benzodiazepene in a bottle labeled something else. They would never know the difference.

However, like others said, best to take a three month supply if possible. With Ativan that could be difficult. HERE you can buy antidepressants w/o a prescription, but you will not be able to do that with Ativan. It has been relatively easy for me to find Paxil CR (same family as wellbutrin, I believe) and benzodiazepenes here, and would guess in Santo Domingo would not be that difficult. If you are taking generics, like someone said, make sure that the drugs are equivalent.

If you need to know FOR SURE if you can get your drugs here, let me know and I can e-mail or call my psych. He's a great, helpful doc.

I have been able to taper off most of the medication I used to take here. :) I live in Cabarete right on the beach, and I am in the waves daily- that has helped a lot.
 

dv8

Gold
Sep 27, 2006
31,266
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wellbutrin is available, i only ever saw sold by box of 30 pills, 2400 pesos or so, if i remember well.
celexa not so sure but of course we have citalopram at variety of prices and brand names.
both available OTC.
i have not seen ativan but there are other brands of lorazepam. this one, however, may be prescription only.

i have been relieved from working in farmacia but i can check that by tomorrow...
 

KJS73

New member
Feb 25, 2011
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Wow! Thanks for all the feedback! You guys are great!

I am going to see my doctor on Monday to discuss three month supply. I am relieved to hear that Wellbutrin and celexa are available. As usual it's those pesky benzos that may give me trouble. Would love to taper from Ativan (lorazepam) before my trip but I don't think it's a good time.
 

dv8

Gold
Sep 27, 2006
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confirmed, lorazepam is available but it is controlled (needs prescription from a corresponding specialist).
citalopram from laboratorio sued (20 mg) is sold at 720 pesos per box of 20 pills.
 

KJS73

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Feb 25, 2011
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Thanks dv8! If I showed the specialist my bottle from USA, do you think he/she would write Rx. I wish I could just taper off the lorazepam but it's not an easy taper.
 

dv8

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Sep 27, 2006
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well, i do not think i made myself quite clear: lorazepam is available only by special prescription (several copies in different colours, some stay with doctor, some with farmacia, some with medical authorities). this receta can be only given by a doctor who has a parmit for giving such paper, not all specialist can do it. if you cannot get a supply from the states take your paperwork to a local doctor (psychiatrist or neurologis in this case) and he should give you prescription based on your medical history.
this is quite a lot of pain in the neck. but i am sure there are doctors who will write a prescription with not so much as a glance at you provided you paid for the consult.