Prescribed medication when travelling abroad

[Truckin Tuckers]

We want to go touring in Europe for 2+ months at a time. We've come up with a big problem. The doctor will not supply more than 4 weeks tramadol (class A drug). They used to give 2 months until very recently. My husband suffers from chronic back pain and cannot function without these painkillers. The doctor can post date prescriptions for us to get filled abroad. Is there anybody else in the same boat and have you had any issues getting prescriptions filled while in France, Spain or Portugal? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Linda]

have you spoken with your own GP? My pharmacist said I wouldn't be allowed 3 months but spoke to my own GP who was ok about it. Not tramadol though.

 

[2cv]

You may need to get a licence if travelling over 3 months.

 

[Truckin Tuckers]

have you spoken with your own GP? My pharmacist said I wouldn't be allowed 3 months but spoke to my own GP who was ok about it. Not tramadol though.

Yes, we have spoken to our GP. The issue is with the tramadol unfortunately. His other medication is also allowed for up to 3 months. It's a new prescription directive.

 

[Truckin Tuckers]

You may need to get a licence if travelling over 3 months.

Yes thank you, we are aware of that. Hoping to go for 2 months.

 

[Okta]

Be careful where you go, it was something like Tramadol that got one woman locked up in an Egyptian jail.

 

[oppy]

Whilst I was taking Tramadol (before I discovered cannabis oil) we were able to get a 3 month supply together with our other medications for an extended European trip a couple of years ago. I used to recommend g&t&t as a terrific pain reducer (gin&tonic&tramadol !!!!!) waking up in the morning was a problem though

 

[Okta]

Whilst I was taking Tramadol (before I discovered cannabis oil) we were able to get a 3 month supply together with our other medications for an extended European trip a couple of years ago. I used to recommend g&t&t as a terrific pain reducer (gin&tonic&tramadol !!!!!) waking up in the morning was a problem though

Waking up at all is probably a bonus.

 

[nabsim]

Go and speak with your own doctor and explain what you are wanting to do. When I spoke with my doctor he said they were happy to give me up to 6 months supply of my meds, one of which is Tramadol.

I don’t think there is any problem taking your own prescription drugs to foreign countries but your doctor should be able to advise on that as well

 

[oppy]

Waking up at all is probably a bonus.

Well, yes there is that

 

[witzend]

Why not get someone to pick up your subscription and post it out to you or register for a postal prescription and then you'd only need to get someone to forward it to you at a local post office

 

[Truckin Tuckers]

Go and speak with your own doctor and explain what you are wanting to do. When I spoke with my doctor he said they were happy to give me up to 6 months supply of my meds, one of which is Tramadol.

I don’t think there is any problem taking your own prescription drugs to foreign countries but your doctor should be able to advise on that as well

Eddie's going to arrange to see his doctor tomorrow although we think their hands are tied with this very recent directive.

 

[Truckin Tuckers]

Why not get someone to pick up your subscription and post it out to you or register for a postal prescription and then you'd only need to get someone to forward it to you at a local post office

One option is to get a 'cross border prescription' post dated for every month. It's just hassle and the uncertainty of not knowing we can definitely get them.

 

[Clunegapyears]

Getting someone to collect the prescription and post may work. James needs a 3 monthly hormone injection in a pre loaded needle. Mum collected and posted it. It took a while but it did arrive. We were convinced it had been destroyed by customs. Not reliable though.
The other option is to just plan an EasyJet flight home to collect the meds, which is what we will have to do for J when away longer than 3 months, in case the surgery want him to de-register.

 

[Truckin Tuckers]

Getting someone to collect the prescription and post may work. James needs a 3 monthly hormone injection in a pre loaded needle. Mum collected and posted it. It took a while but it did arrive. We were convinced it had been destroyed by customs. Not reliable though.
The other option is to just plan an EasyJet flight home to collect the meds, which is what we will have to do for J when away longer than 3 months, in case the surgery want him to de-register.

Thank you, we couldn't have them posted, 60 tramadol tablets in the post seems very irresponsible. Eddie flying back is definitely an option while I stay with our dog and moterhome.
So much to think about,.can't wait to set off on our first trip across the channel in our motorhome.

 

[britcoms]

We want to go touring in Europe for 2+ months at a time. We've come up with a big problem. The doctor will not supply more than 4 weeks tramadol (class A drug). They used to give 2 months until very recently. My husband suffers from chronic back pain and cannot function without these painkillers. The doctor can post date prescriptions for us to get filled abroad. Is there anybody else in the same boat and have you had any issues getting prescriptions filled while in France, Spain or Portugal? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I use Tramadol but fortunately only intermittently but I always ensure that the prescription is filled regularly, thereby safeguarding a reserve when I go on long trips. I also use codeine which is not so potent as Tramadol and there are not so many controls on its use being a Class B drug. Have you thought about using this on your not so bad days? Other EU countries, particularly Spain, seem happy to supply/sell drugs when shown a prescription but Class A drugs could be a problem. Check this website as there is a company in UK that will send prescriptions abroad but again Class A drugs could be restricted
. Can you ask a relative or friend to renew your prescription for you in the Uk and post it to you abroad for picking up Post Restante? Rest assured there will be a way around the problem.

 

[Truckin Tuckers]

Thank you for your advice, unfortunately Eddie needs to take these slow release tablets twice a day and on time or he suffers badly. Yes we will find a way around this that works.

 

[nabsim]

Thank you for your advice, unfortunately Eddie needs to take these slow release tablets twice a day and on time or he suffers badly. Yes we will find a way around this that works.

The slow release are the real bad ones if you ever want to come off them. Going off topic has he tried Gabapentin? If they work for him they are much less harmful and not as controlled

 

[nabsim]

The slow release are the real bad ones if you ever want to come off them. Going off topic has he tried Gabapentin? If they work for him they are much less harmful and not as controlled

Looks like that may not be any good, just noticed they gave reclassified gabapentin to class C controlled so may be same situation. Still a better one to go on if it works though as not an opiate.

 

[Rec]

Could a family member collect and bring them out on the promise of a couple of nights abroad?? Somewhere loads of cheap flights like Alicante or Faro?? I must admit we always get meds every four weeks and manage to stockpile a small surplus that way. Also have asked for a months px a bit early due to being away when due....extra couple of weeks that way!