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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnB on April 22, 2000, at 19:56:39
Living on the left coast not too far from the border, I've considered buying meds in Mexico to save money. Has anybody here been doing it recently? If so, what's the skinny?
Posted by Cass on April 22, 2000, at 20:56:49
In reply to Mexican Meds?, posted by JohnB on April 22, 2000, at 19:56:39
I bought an antidepressant over there about three years ago. I brought along the prescription just in case I needed it. The pharmacist didn't want it, and I never needed to show it to anyone at the border either. However, in last month's archive (or was it the one before that?) someone wrote about someone having a bad experience over there. It seems that the Mexicans wanted a prescription from a Mexican doctor. The American spent some time in jail. I have personally never heard of anyone having problems, but reading that post scared me. Whoever wrote the post also suggested that it might still be cheaper to see a Mexican doctor and then get the prescription over there. I don't know if that helps any, but good luck doing whatever you decide to do.
Posted by JohnB on April 23, 2000, at 3:42:28
In reply to Re: Mexican Meds?, posted by Cass on April 22, 2000, at 20:56:49
From what I've read, some drugs require a script from a Mexican doctor, some don't, and you can bring back 90 days supply of a med.
Prices are one third to almost-as-much-as U.S.
Senior citizens are chartering buses down to Mexico just to buy meds and I don't think too many of them are thrown in the slammer.
Posted by Sara T. on April 23, 2000, at 9:23:42
In reply to Mexican Meds?, posted by JohnB on April 22, 2000, at 19:56:39
> Living on the left coast not too far from the border, I've considered buying meds in Mexico to save money. Has anybody here been doing it recently? If so, what's the skinny?
Just a thought. I've lived in Mexico and alot of what we would see a physician for, injections, for example, are done at the ppharmacy and many things are not regulated (like birth control pills). Be aware that Third World countries are the dumping grounds for pharmacueticals, ect., that we have passed by or are no longer deemed safe in this country.
Sara T.
Posted by JohnB on April 23, 2000, at 15:44:19
In reply to Re: Mexican Meds?, posted by Sara T. on April 23, 2000, at 9:23:42
I'm talking about buying US Companies boxed and branded pharmacueticals only. It's well known that we in the US pay a lot more than they do in Canada or Mexico. That's because in those countries drug prices are regulated by law.
For info on the web check:
http://www.kovr13.com/news/99/071499B.htm
http://www.seniors.com/health/pharm_info/76
http://www.canadarx.net/article.html
Posted by S.D. Guy on April 24, 2000, at 2:29:00
In reply to Mexican Meds?, posted by JohnB on April 22, 2000, at 19:56:39
>Living on the left coast not too far from the
>border, I've considered buying meds in Mexico to
>save money. Has anybody here been doing it
>recently? If so, what's the skinny?I have looked into this some very recently, and plan to go to Tijuana (from San Diego) before the end of the week. I can let you know if I discover any useful information. If you tell me what medication(s) you need I can keep an eye out for info about it/them in particular.
Or you could join me when I go, especially if you know some Spanish (or even if you don't).
------
"Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order."
Posted by michael on April 24, 2000, at 12:23:07
In reply to I intend to go to Tijuana soon, posted by S.D. Guy on April 24, 2000, at 2:29:00
> >Living on the left coast not too far from the
> >border, I've considered buying meds in Mexico to
> >save money. Has anybody here been doing it
> >recently? If so, what's the skinny?
>
> I have looked into this some very recently, and plan to go to Tijuana (from San Diego) before the end of the week. I can let you know if I discover any useful information. If you tell me what medication(s) you need I can keep an eye out for info about it/them in particular.
> Or you could join me when I go, especially if you know some Spanish (or even if you don't).
> ------
> "Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order."I'd be curious to know if adrafinil and amineptine are approved/available? If you get a chance...
Posted by JohnB on April 25, 2000, at 1:02:10
In reply to I intend to go to Tijuana soon, posted by S.D. Guy on April 24, 2000, at 2:29:00
> I have looked into this some very recently, and plan to go to Tijuana (from San Diego)SD Guy: Thanks, yes, I'd be interested in any first hand knowledge you bring back. I'm farther from the border than you are so's I don't have the time right now to take a trip down there. Best of luck to you.
BTW; I'm wondering about the quote you threw in:
> "Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order."
Not sure what you meant in the context of this thread, but shouldn't it read:
"Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens at the border." ;^)
Posted by saint james on April 25, 2000, at 11:49:37
In reply to Re: Mexican Meds?, posted by JohnB on April 23, 2000, at 3:42:28
> From what I've read, some drugs require a script from a Mexican doctor, some don't, and you can bring back 90 days supply of a med.
> Prices are one third to almost-as-much-as U.S.
> Senior citizens are chartering buses down to Mexico just to buy meds and I don't think too many of them are thrown in the slammer.James here....
If you are buying controled drugs w/o a script
you will do jail time here in the states if caught.
The DEA visited a friend of mine and now he is in jail.james
Posted by JohnB on April 25, 2000, at 14:07:28
In reply to Re: Mexican Meds?, posted by saint james on April 25, 2000, at 11:49:37
> James here....
> If you are buying controled drugs w/o a script
> you will do jail time here in the states if caught.
> The DEA visited a friend of mine and now he is in jail.James; As you know, most AD's are not controlled drugs. People who buy AD's or any drug in Mexico should, of course, have a script from their US doctor; the idea is saving money, not self-medicating.
I do find it interesting that Ritalin, so commonly used, is classified as a Schedule II contolled drug. Since James brought it up, there may be some people on the board who don't know which drugs are classified as "controlled" by DEA. The following is submitted for those who are interested:
__________________________________
The following is from Texas State Board of Phamacy website http://www.tsbp.state.tx.us/consumer/broch2.htmA controlled or scheduled drug is one whose use and distribution is tightly controlled because of its abuse potential or risk. Controlled drugs are rated in order of their abuse risk and placed in Schedules by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Schedule I — drugs with a high abuse risk. These drugs have NO safe, accepted medical use in the United States.
Some examples are heroin, marijuana, and LSD.
Schedule II — drugs with a high abuse risk but also have safe and accepted medical uses in the United States. These drugs can cause severe psychological or physical dependence. Schedule II drugs include certain narcotic, stimulant, and depressant drugs.
Some examples are morphine, cocaine, oxycodone (Percodan®), methylphenidate (Ritalin®), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®).
Schedule III-V — drugs with an abuse risk less than Schedule II. These drugs also have safe and accepted medical uses in the United States. Schedule III-V drugs include those containing smaller amounts of certain narcotic and non-narcotic drugs, anti-anxiety drugs, tranquilizers, sedatives, stimulants, and non-narcotic analgesics.
Some examples are acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol® No.3), paregoric, hydrocodone (Vicodin®), diazepam (Valium®), alprazolam (Xanax®), dextropropoxyphene (Darvocet®), and pentazocine (Talwin®).
Posted by saint james on April 25, 2000, at 15:29:38
In reply to Re: Mexican Meds?, posted by JohnB on April 25, 2000, at 14:07:28
> James; As you know, most AD's are not controlled drugs. People who buy AD's or any drug in Mexico should, of course, have a script from their US doctor; the idea is saving money, not self-medicating.
James here....Having been in Mexico at the Rx, where they offer to sell you anything in stock, I know the temptation first hand. Just wanted to warn people
about the dangers of getting Scheduled meds.james
Posted by S.D. Guy on April 25, 2000, at 16:19:26
In reply to Re: I intend to go to Tijuana soon, posted by JohnB on April 25, 2000, at 1:02:10
> BTW; I'm wondering about the quote you threw in:
>
> > "Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order."
>
> Not sure what you meant in the context of this thread...Didn't mean it to have anything to do with the subject of this thread. Just a ".sig", as they say (signature, or "tag line"). I didn't make it up; saw it somewhere and thought it was funny. Cynical, "gallows humor" to be sure, but I assume that people here understand that kind of thing. I've learned not to say stuff like that around normal, healthy people. Mostly they don't get it to say the least, and may be quite bothered or put off by it.
Posted by S.D. Guy on April 25, 2000, at 19:51:23
In reply to Re: Mexican Meds?, posted by saint james on April 25, 2000, at 15:29:38
> Having been in Mexico at the Rx, where they
> offer to sell you anything in stock, I know the
> temptation first hand. Just wanted to warn
> people about the dangers of getting Scheduled
> meds.
>
> jamesIs clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril) a Schedule II med? I found the complete list in California law but it might be different than federal law.
(Even if it isn't federally it may well be sched II soon in California - there is a lot of paranoia being stirred up around here lately.)For meds that require an Rx according to U.S. law, does U.S. law require that the Rx be from a U.S. doctor? I though it could be from one in Mexico.
However, in California law (health and safety code, section 11350), in the case of 'Schedule I or II' substances or "any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV, or V which is a narcotic drug", requires the Rx to be from a "physician, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian licensed to practice in this state".
So if you are from another state and your Rx is for Ritalin or another Schedule II med, don't cross the border from CA!
Physicians are licensed by state, right? So your doctor in Chicago or wherever probably isn't licensed to practice in California. I just realized that if this is so, then you could be arrested for merely setting foot in California if you bring your Ritalin with you. Probably wouldn't happen, but you never know what the police or highway patrol might do if they see it in your posession. Mainly shows how ridiculous and complicated this is. Maybe AZ, TX, etc. have more reasonable laws.
Posted by Owsley on April 26, 2000, at 19:48:35
In reply to Re: 'life is hard, then you die...' quote, posted by S.D. Guy on April 25, 2000, at 16:19:26
>Cynical, "gallows humor" to be sure, but I >assume that people here understand that kind of >thing. I've learned not to say stuff like that >around normal, healthy people. Mostly they >don't get it to say the least, and may be quite >bothered or put off by it.
I would just add that another good thing not to do is chuckle to yourself when you're in the cheese section of the supermarket and notice that the big yellow blocks are labelled "Baby Loaf." This seems to be particularly disturbing to women with infants and toddlers in their carts....
Posted by S.D. Guy on April 27, 2000, at 14:26:27
In reply to Re: Gallows Humor, posted by Owsley on April 26, 2000, at 19:48:35
8^D
Posted by Kay on April 27, 2000, at 16:08:00
In reply to Re: I intend to go to Tijuana soon, posted by JohnB on April 25, 2000, at 1:02:10
> > "Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order."
>
> Not sure what you meant in the context of this thread, but shouldn't it read:
>
> "Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens at the border." ;^)Or maybe:
"Life is hard and then you die. Then they throw dirt on you. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful IF it happens in that order."
Posted by S.D. on May 16, 2000, at 22:07:35
In reply to I intend to go to Tijuana soon, posted by S.D. Guy on April 24, 2000, at 2:29:00
Just want to say I haven't forgotten about this and will report upon my hoped-to-be-triumphant return, but I haven't gone yet because I am trying Kava for my social anxiety in lieu of starting a new Rx.
FYI if interested in Kava (AKA kava kava or kava-kava)...
It is an anxiolytic and apparently an anticonvulsant and reversible inhibitor of MAO-B.
Negative cognitive effects may be less than benzos. It has occasionally been mentioned favorably on the usenet newsgroup alt.support.social-phobiaI think it is working for me, at least a little. I am going to increase to 300mg kavalactones/day.
Most commercial products contain "30% kavalactones" (AKA kava pyrones). These are the 'active components', at least the known ones, so it is the total weight times the percentage that is important in comparing doses. (e.g. a 200mg capsule containing "30% kavalactones" is 60mg kavalactones.)
It seems to be under-studied compared to synthetic, patentable drugs, but some info is available. Search medline or usenet or the web for 'kava', 'kava kava' and, especially for more academic/scientific/technical info, 'Piper methysticum' which is another name for the plant from which it is derived.Or check out these URLs...
http://www.lef.org/protocols/abstracts/abstr-090.html
---------Pharmacopsychiatry 1998 Sep;31(5):187-92
Inhibition of platelet MAO-B by kava pyrone-enriched extract from Piper
methysticum Forster (kava-kava).
---------
http://www.tnp.com/substance.asp?ID=65
-------peace and health,
SD
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