A question about Asthma?

kingfish5515 says on Jul 13, 2009, 07:30:

I would assume they are available even if they are under a different name or brand. People also have asthma in COL. Dont know about prices in the UK, since you have socialized medicine, which may or may not be better, but most if not all of my precriptions from the USA are cheaper in COL. I had a specialized skin creme that was way way way cheaper in Col And you just walk in the farmacia and show them what you have and wala, no doctor needed exept for the really hi powered or dangerous drugs like morphine ect. My creme was still made by Merck but was another name which crossreferenced and was the exact same thing. KF

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 13, 2009, 07:30:

theflatline says on Jul 13, 2009, 09:15:

I suffer from asthma, and I was diagnosed with it in Colombia. Not because of the altitude but because of the pollution in Bogota.

In the States I am fine, but I use an inhaler in Colombia.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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strata2woman says on Jul 13, 2009, 10:06:

Hi Celtic, Salbutamol or Ventolyn [Ventilan - $25.000COP] Exito Pharmacy. Becotide or Becolvent [Beconase]. If you have to take Singulair like I do, everyday, buy Montelukast, it comes is a box or 10 10mg pill. Price varies from drugstore to drugstore. When buying your meds, it's better to use Exito, better prices that most drugstores. I hope this helps.

"If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days." - Sylvia Plath

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CelticAce88 says on Jul 13, 2009, 12:46:

Thanks guys for all the info, especially strata2woman for the details.

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strata2woman says on Jul 13, 2009, 13:16:

Celtic, you do not need a prescription to purchase the inhalers. You can do that over the counter. You can also purchase a nebulizer machine w/o a prescription, better place at a medical supply store close by a University Medical Hospital.

"If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days." - Sylvia Plath

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Man Tequila says on Jul 13, 2009, 21:00:

I don't think you need a prescription to purchase most drugs, except for narcotics and benzodiazepines.

I have bought generic Colombian Salbutamol. It works well, and I think an inhaler is around 10,000 pesos from Rebaja.

I have not bought budenoside or beclomethasone but am sure both are available. Advair and other long acting beta-agonist medications are pricy in Colombia, as elsewhere. Montelukast is the generic name for Singulaire. Prednisone tablets are also very inexpensive in Colombia, but you would be unwise to take those without medical advice.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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panthercat187 says on Jul 14, 2009, 04:37:

We were just in Medellin, and one of my friends needed an inhaler. So we were in El Poblado and walked across the street to one of the supermarkets in Ovieda, and he was shocked to buy a generic Salbutamol for $5USD. He said he was going to back to buy a bunch before we leave and spread them throughout his luggage.

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Man Tequila says on Jul 14, 2009, 19:11:

Customs does not care if you bring back salbutamol inhalers from Colombia, I have done it myself.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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CelticAce88 says on Jul 15, 2009, 09:06:

These are all excellent tips guys, it looks like I will be OK!

Thanks

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