Obtaining*antidepressant*Lofepramine in Spain

[gerrit]

And in urgent need, you can always get your UK based doctor to prescribe them and have your family sending them to you. I've used that trick a few times when being very new in a country and not having found a GP trustworthy yet.

Note that here in Catalunya only psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants. Not GP's. I would assume this is the rule in other parts of Spain as well, although maybe not in all regions. In places with a large expat population you sometimes have psychiatrists that are multilingual, which is a big advantage. Here in Barcelona the mental health public services have one day a week in which the afternoon is reserved for expats with psychological issues. For me it worked out very well, and the antidepressants I take are incredibly cheap compared to what I paid in Belgium, Germany and the UK. Very likely other types of antidepressants will also come with a low price tag.

[playamonte]

Originally Posted by CroptopMartin

All very nice responses, however everyone is missing the point. This medication according several pharmacies isn't available in Spain. So either I have to fly back to UK every month to get another months supply (not very practical), or find a way to get it elsewhere, OR NOT MOVE to Spain....

No we have not missed the point, you have not read what has been written (a common mistake on forums)

[jojo]

Originally Posted by CroptopMartin

All very nice responses, however everyone is missing the point. This medication according several pharmacies isn't available in Spain. So either I have to fly back to UK every month to get another months supply (not very practical), or find a way to get it elsewhere, OR NOT MOVE to Spain....

The name may not be available, but there will be either the same medication under a different name or a replica made by a different company with a different name. I'm sure tricyclic antiDs are available in Spain!!! Your GP in Spain will want to see you and make his own decision on what medication you should be taking - he may even find a better one for you?????

If you live in spain you will no longer have access to your NHS doctor, so you mustnt fly back and renew your script. If your UK GP finds out thats what you're doing, he'll stop you!

Jo xxxx

[sensationalfrog]

codeferalgon might be what you need,easy available from chemist(spelling might be wrong),my wifes boss uses this and i have to pick her some up tomorrow google it i guess,im no chemist,if you need this sort of stuff tho,you should see someone to get you off it,very addictive,i suggest graham off of jeremy kyle
my wifes boss takes up to 12 of these a day,she is trying to cut down tho,mind i have had about 10 beers tnite so perhaps i need help too

[youngagepensioner]

I have to take some medication (not ADs), Iit is called Adartral in the UK. I asked my Spanish Dr if he could prescribe it in Spain, he sent me to the farmacia to ask the pharmacist what it was called in Spain. After a bit of ringing around the pharmacist came up with Requip. The Dr happily prescribed it as it is the same drug ropinirole but just called something different in both countries.

My husband has no trouble getting his ADs in Spain, they are called something different too.

I'm sure you will be able to get the medication.

Funnily enough, the one thing we can't get is my husband's Colpermin (slow-release antispasmodic peppermint oil tablets). Luckily these are available over the counter in the UK, so we just stock up.

[steve_in_spain]

As youngagedpensioner and thers have said, you shoudl get what you need, or an identicle spanish equivalent. My ex parter has a very rare drug which is to control an equally rare condition affecting his bodies cartlidge. His GP in Spain prescribed it but the pharmasist could not get it, we went to every pharmacist in the area until one told us they have finally withdrawn it in Spain because its main use (lepracy of all things ( not what my ex has thankfully)) is so rare.

Anyway, we had a word with the head pharmacist at the local hospital and she has aranged to have the drug shipped in from Germany. So, after a big or backwards and forwards with papers between the GP and hospital, every month there is a packet of drugs at the hospital ready and waiting. Hurahh for Germany & Hurahh for Villajoyoisa Hospital

As I think Jo said in an earlier post, even if not readily available I am sure your spanish GP will issue something just as good if not better! Try to bring 3-6 months worth with you (tell your GP you spending 6 months in spain) and then you have plenty of time to sort it!

[Alcalaina]

Originally Posted by Alcalaina

Hi - I've found list of pharmaceuticals licensed in Spain and lofepramine is on the list, under the name DEFTAN. Full details here:

DEFTAN 70MG 30 TABLETAS LAQUEADAS. . MERCK FARMA Y QUIMICA S.A. - Nomenclator.org

So you should be able to get a prescription here without having to fly back and forth!

Has the original Poster disappeared? I spent ages looking this up and wondered if he/she ever actually saw it?!?

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by Alcalaina

Has the original Poster disappeared? I spent ages looking this up and wondered if he/she ever actually saw it?!?

I'm pretty sure he has seen it

[CroptopMartin]

Originally Posted by Alcalaina

Hi - I've found list of pharmaceuticals licensed in Spain and lofepramine is on the list, under the name DEFTAN. Full details here:

DEFTAN 70MG 30 TABLETAS LAQUEADAS. . MERCK FARMA Y QUIMICA S.A. - Nomenclator.org[/URL]

So you should be able to get a prescription here without having to fly back and forth!

Hi
Back again in September 2011, thanks Alcalaina, sounds worth looking at.
Still hoping to spend a few years around SW of Malaga, so information very useful.
Thanks again
Martin

[CroptopMartin]

Originally Posted by CroptopMartin

Hi
Back again in September 2011, thanks Alcalaina, sounds worth looking at.
Still hoping to spend a few years around SW of Malaga, so information very useful.
Thanks again
Martin

Having checked now I'm back in Spain, Deftan isn't available any longer either. Have to get it sent from UK I think until I can wean myself off of it. It has too much of a tranquilliser effect on me. Been on it many years and really want to get off the bloody things, but it's hard work.