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Prescription Medicines

man.grangeburn

Michael A. Nolan
Time of past OR future Camino
Sarria-SdC June (2010).
Tui-SdC Sept (2019).
Hi!

I am thinking of doing the full Camino Frances from St Jean.

The last time I did the Camino was from Sarria 3 years ago.

This time, because of the time involved, I would need to get access to a particular prescription medicine on route.

I take xalacom for ocular hypertension. Until use, it has to be stored in a 'fridge. This is impractical on the Camino. An opened bottle, has no such restriction but has to be used within 28 days and then discarded.

My problem is that after 28 days I would therefore have to source another bottle whilst on the Camino.

Has anyone had a similar problem? Can such a medicine be acquired from the pharmacias on route easily?

Any help would be appreciated.

Michael A.
 
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Hi Michael, from a quick internet search it would appear to be available in Spain but I will try and check with someone over there but it will take a day or so. It is also available as a generic medicine.
 
Grangeburn, if I read you correctly, you are talking about glaucoma?

If that is so, I wouldn't worry overly much about taking/using it above 28 days (my experience only, of course). I did, of course, bring an extra vial in case I somehow 'lost' - for whichever reason - the first one. But made sure to pack it in my hand luggage.

Are you sure it need to be kept in a refrigerator? The brand I use need not. - Have travelled all over with it - not refrigerated - and never a problem.

annelise
 
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Hi, Grangeburn, as you can see from some of these posts, prescriptions are generally very easy to fill in Spain.

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...merican-m-d-s-filled-on-route-in-spain.22816/

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/obtaining-stronger-pain-meds-on-the-camino.12090/

I have gotten prescription drugs on numerous occasions without a prescription, but I had the boxes and described my symptoms and the pharmacist was willing to help.

And if the medicine you describe is for glaucoma, it is one of the ones my husband uses and he was able to find more easily in Portugal. I would suggest bringing the prescription with you, and making sure that the specific ingredients are clearly listed because drugs have different names in different countries.

I think this will not be a problem for you. Good luck, Laurie
 

Thanks Annelise.

Yes, I use Xalacom (or the generic Latanoprost). The label states that before use - ie unopened - it has to stored in a refrigerator (2-8C). During use - after opening - it has to be stored at room temperature (>25C). After 28 days it has to be discarded.

My pharmacist in Scotland has always impressed this information upon me.

Michael A.
 

Thanks Laurie.

I was intending to travel with my Scottish prescription but was worried about the availability of xalacom in Spain. I actually use the generic medication Latanoprost. The label states that unopened it has to be stored refrigerated (2-8C). Once opened it has to be stored at room temperature (>25C). After 28 days it has to be discarded. My pharmacist in Scotland has always impressed this upon me.

Michael A.
 
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wayfarer said:
Hi Michael, from a quick internet search it would appear to be available in Spain but I will try and check with someone over there but it will take a day or so. It is also available as a generic medicine.
Click to expand...

Thanks Wayfarer.

I do actually use the generic medication Latanoprost. I would be travelling with my Scottish prescription for this and other medication that I take.

Thanks for your help on this.

Michael A
 
Speak to your pharmacist. Many prescription medicines can be stored at room temperature if one is prepared to accept a reduced shelflife. Whether that's true of your specific drug I don't know, but your pharmacist will.
 

Hi, Michael,
My husband also takes Latanoprost and operates with the same marching orders as you -- Always store refrigerated; once opened it is fine at room temp. He was able to get this medicine without any problems in Portugal, so I am virtually certain you will have no problem in Spain. Good luck and buen camino, Laurie
 
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In my experience it is very easy to refill prescriptions in Spain, along the Camino. I simply presented my prescription bottle to the pharmacist and then was given what I needed. I've done this multiple times at multiple pharmacies for multiple medications. I always start with 'Habla ingles?' (Do you speak English?), and more often than not they speak just enough English to ease the language barrier. You will, of course, have better luck in the larger cities.

At the end of your starting 28-day supply you will probably be close to Sarria, which is a perfect place to find pharmacists accustomed to serving pilgrims. If won't have reached Sarria, the previous big city is Ponferrada. Other towns have pharmacies, but this is the largest city between Leon and Sarria, and therefore you will have more choices for places to buy.
 
Did you do the Camino and were you able to get the medicine? I have the same problem and the same caveats with regard to refrigeration. Did you have any problems and what was the method of getting the refill (i.e. just go into the pharmacy or did you need a written prescription from another doctor?) Thanks.
 
I can speak with confidence about both Xalacom and the related Xalatan. Just give the pharmacist the empty bottle or, if possible, the package with the prescription on it, and it will be refilled, about about a third of the cost it would be in North America (done over the years in Jaca, Balaguer, San Vicente de la Barquera, and Santiago de Compostela). My eye specialist told me that it should be stored in the refrigerator until opened, but that after opening I should keep it as cool as possible if refrigeration could not be managed-- check with your own physician to see what they say.
 
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