Prescriptions / OTC

Submitted by Mike on 13 July, 2008 - 13:25.

I am trying to get back down as soon as October and may stay for several months this time if my luck holds out. I take three medications which are pretty common so I assume I will be able to get them there. These are by prescription only in North Am but I can get them OTC in the Dom Rep but in Belize I needed a prescription. Would I need to see a doc in Nica to get them or do Nica pharmacies dispense meds like these OTC?

Metformin (Metformina hidroclorura for mild diabetes) Terasozin (alpha blocker, same name in Spanish) Testosterone enanthate or cypionate

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Test strips

Submitted by MNelson on 17 July, 2008 - 07:24.

Sorry to tag onto your question, but there seems to be a lot of pharma knowledge here.

I'm having a hard time finding test strips for my Lifescan blood glucose meter. Any leads or ideas?

Thanks.

Martin Nelson Hacienda Iguana, Tola, Rivas SKYPE: QWLCrew

as you now know...

Submitted by will305 on 15 July, 2008 - 12:00.

all your meds are available OTC....as is almost anything you may need at the moment, valium, ec....just ask at the pharmacy.

As far as doctors, at Hospital Bautista in Managua you can pay $20 to see one of their doctors and they seem to be pretty competent. I have had to go several times and have had good luck.

Actually the laws are slowly changing

Submitted by nicareal on 15 July, 2008 - 12:08.

and several drugs that were OTC a little while ago, now require a prescription. In the case of the meds Mike needs, I had someone check and they still are OTC.

Good info on the Hospital Bautista in Managua. $20 sure is not a lot to see a doctor.

most farmacias

Submitted by will305 on 15 July, 2008 - 14:59.

will give you what you need without a receta, at least the smaller independent ones. I have proven this time and time again. Of course, if you have a receta, it's a sure thing.

of medicinas

Submitted by gueguense on 15 July, 2008 - 12:22.

they are trying to impose the inefficient USA "gatekeeper" approach that only drives up costs for people.

If you suffer from a chronic condition, why do you have to get a prescription to get a refill? answer to make more money for the doctors. This is the USA approach.

Nicareal is correct as I found out during a recent trip to Nicaragua. I was floored when they asked me for a receta. Needless to say, a call to another farmacia did the trick.

All 3 of your medications are currently OTC in Nicaragua

Submitted by nicareal on 15 July, 2008 - 09:21.

If you wish I can call the office in Managua and get pricing for you.

Medical Services

Submitted by Alra on 14 July, 2008 - 20:05.

Inquires at "Vivian Pellas" Hospital, here:

www.metropolitano.com.ni

Pharmacy questions, here:

www.farmacianicaraguense.com

Good luck,

Al

regarding prescriptions

Submitted by edward1 on 14 July, 2008 - 12:14.

Based on my own experiences here in Nicaragua 1)if you are currently taking a prescribed drug as presecribed by a physician in either Canada or the US, simply take the name of the drug to the local pharmacy in your community and if the drug is available, the pharmacist will will supply you with it, however much you may wish to buy. If the pharmacy does not have it, and it is available in Nicaragua, the pharmacist will either order it for you, or in an emergency, will refer you to another pharmacy which carries that drug. 2)If the druggist is unfamiliar with the drug, he/she will refer to the Spanish Pharmalogical Compendium to determine whether the drug is available in Nicaragua, and if not, determine whether there is a comparable drug; 3. If you are ill, and go to either a physician or an emergency ward, the physician will determine what you need for your particular ailment, and on a piece of paper write down the name of the drug that you'll require. At the druggists, simply hand him/her the list.The pharmacist will give you what you need, and will even advise you on the amount you should take, how often, how long, etc and will return the list to you for your future use. You will find that drugs here in Nicaragua are for the most part inexpensive, as is medical and dental care.

Oh!

Submitted by Mike on 14 July, 2008 - 14:15.

Thanks Edward, very helpful, much obliged.

Drugs

Submitted by Mark on 14 July, 2008 - 17:37.

Best thing to do is bring down what you need with you. 90 or a 180 day supply can be brought in with no problem to Nicaragua. Generally the drugs purchased in Nicaragua are not as good as US but are much cheaper. Most come from India with the non-generics being reverse engineered and almost never have the potency as the real thing.

Inside Vivian Pellas hospital has what Nicaraguans would call an expensive pharmacy but they are cheap compared to US. Their number is 505-255-6900. Ask for the pharmacy-they have professional people who speak English who can help. You can get ideas and buy elsewhere for probably 40% less at another pharmacy in Managua.

Lastly, The doctor situation in the country is getting very bad. Many doctors are being squeezed by capping what they can charge. Some good doctors have already left. Very competitive to have your one day office hours at Metropolitano so they get the best doctors in the whole country if only one day a week. This is their one time to get 'retail' pay for what they do.

Different in Estelí

Submitted by fyl on 14 July, 2008 - 18:52.

My/my family's experience has been different here in Estelí. We typically see drugs from Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador and Guatemala. As for doctors, I don't know of any that have left but those that work in the government clinics or hospital here tend to also have a private practice.

More often than not, it is about a half-day for the government, half-day in their own office. I do know one (very good) doctor who adds in work in a free clinic as well as her government work and her private office hours.

For private office visits, the prices seem to run around C$300 here. My wife says that is way too much and seeks out the C$200 or less doctors and dentists.

Drugs

Submitted by Mark on 14 July, 2008 - 20:00.

The drugs you are buying maybe packaged in those countries but most come from India-Ranbaxy one of the largest Pharma companies in the world send drugs in bulk to Latin America. They are then packaged in boxes in Spanish with brand names-take a close look at the blister paks. I know there are Pharma companies in Brazil and Colombia this is true.

As far as doctors go you should seek out the best doctor you can find as a GP for you and family so he knows you over time. This maybe more important for your wife. Shop around for the drugs yes but pay extra for a doctor that is professional and competent. Esteli I imagine has doctors better than Granada and less than Managua but this is general statement.

The devil is in the details and some things require specialization and sometimes is lacking save for Managua-like I said Vivian Pellas has the best connection for doctors I have seen in Nicaragua. If they can't solve it then Costa Rica is not too far away.

I can tell you a few stories here but just to say Geriatrics as a specialty does not exist in Nicaragua. I have now a doctor who is an expert but this is not his primary specialization. Not for me but for someone else who came to visit for a few months.

Esteli Medical School

Submitted by Nicabuff on 15 July, 2008 - 17:58.

Esteli has the first medical school outside of Leon and Managua, it's part of the UCATSE (Catholic University of the Tropics).