Medication Question

[martygolarge]

Hi all,

My wife was wondering about the brands of our everyday medicines that we use over here and what the equivilent is over in Florida.

We know about the paracetamol but what about Gaviscon or Calpol?

If anyone has bought this type of stuff what do they call it over there?

Cheers in advance

[steph_goodrum]

Calpol is paracetamol based so the equivalent would be something like children or paediatric acetaminophen. The first one that came to mind was Tylenol but there was a huge recall of that last year (or earlier this year) and many other paediatric medications made by the same company, so I'm not sure on the current situation, if it has been revised and restocked.
You can get Gaviscon chewable tablets in the US.

Quite often it;s easier over there as where ours will be branded eg Imodium theirs will just say what it does Anti- diarrhoea etc.

The Pharmacies are very good in Walmart, publix or Walgreens and will readily offer advice if you aren't sure.

[mfairhurst]

We have a friend who takes Asprin and he says that the Asprin he takes from America is better than in Uk he went with us and bought them from Walgreen and they were 99 cents for 120 tablets he get a lot of joint pain so it helps him ohr only takes them when it gets bad .His doctor tells him to take as needed .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

[VIOLET]

We marvel at the choices of medication on offer in America - last trip my hubby got an infected cut on one of his fingers that was very red and sore - we went to Walgreens and the Pharmacist pointed us in the direction of anti-biotic cream that we were able to just buy over the counter - great selection - next trip we will be stocking up on things to bring home as very cheap too, so I dont think your wife will have any trouble finding the right medication.

[martygolarge]

Hi , thanks for the replies

What are the restrictions on bringing back any extra medication when we return home?

[steph_goodrum]

Violet
We always bring back antibiotic plasters as well. They are made by Johnsons. Hubby being a builder sometimes gets little nicks, that being on site sometimes get weepy so we use those and they clear up in no time.

[VIOLET]

Ohh - thanks for that tip Steph - will get the antibiotic plasters, would you use them on the kids?

Violet

[steph_goodrum]

Violet
I wouldnt put them on as a first line of defence (although my niece has on her 4 year old and when she saw the GP here, (she had a toe that got infected when she was 3 and it tracked up her leg and she ended up in hospital for 5 days , so my niece is extra vigilant with her, and he said what a good idea it was and couldnt understand why we cant get them here.
If they have anything that looks as if it isnt healing then I would try them.

[freddiehollie]

We stock up for the kids and ourselves.
Buy Ibuprofen here and you can only small packs (16's I think) over there you can buy hundreds, so they are very cheap[msnwink]
Kids Tylenol, Robitussin and Triaminic etc are good value.
Also Wal-Mart do a range called "equate" similar products without main brand prices. Worth a look.
Advil/Tylenol are very popular in all forms.

[dsv77]

we always do a " Drug Run " LOL the day before we come home buying large tubs of painkillers acetomaphan and ibruphen for at least 3 neighbours so buy 3 tubs of each containing 600 tablets , we also buy antacids, melatonin, antibiotic cream. sleep aids, and various other things. We do split them up in different cases but have never had a problem .

[karenk]

I always bring medicines back. If I'm in any doubt, I normally ask the pharmacist as they're really helpful.

[Jill]

Stuart also stocks up on his hay fever tablets which also work out cheaper than buying over.

[Andrena]

We too buy a load of drugs to bring home, especially Glucosomine & Chondroiton which is much cheaper than at home and Tylenol. Also it is possible to buy drugs over the counter that you need a prescription for at home. Never been stopped or queried. Hubby buys loads of Zantac too.

Andrena

[jimiansville]

Well I'm so pleased that everyone else does the same as us and stocks up on medication - I used to think it was just us!

[E. Cosgrove]

Gaviscon does not taste the same as in the UK and for me is far less effective, when I am in the US I prefer Pepcid AC and always stock up when I am away.

Like everyone else we stock up on other preparations as well which are far less expensive. Hay fever tablets, contact lens soloution, glucosamine (the only place I have ever found chewable glucosamine which is far more pleasant!) and our particular brand of deodorant.

[Lyn]

Have recently started taking Glucosomine & Chondroiton, which is very expensive here, glad I will we able to stock up when away.

[ncmurray]

As everyone has said, medication is readily available there, and Walmart has a fantastic selection. For heartburn and reflux, they have a staggering choice, most of them much better than Gaviscon! Zantac is ranitidine (75MG), and is much much cheaper there than the UK.

If your children take Calpol, I would suggest taking it with you, as the alternative in the US taste very different, and my children wouldn't take it.

Nuala

[Lyn]

Would you be allowed to take Calpol into the US as it contains Paracetamol which is only available on prescription?

[steph_goodrum]

Lyn
Paracetamol is caled Acetaminophen in the Us and is freely available. You shouldnt take Paracetamol and Codeine (unless it is presecribed) as Codeine is only available on prescription.

My daughter used to take Sudafed over as you can buy it over the counter but you are only allowed a certain amount and they check when you buy more. She stopped taking them when she found out it was because there is an ingredient which the drug dealers use to make crystal meths and didnt want any suspicion she might be involved.

[shona]

LOL[sick][msnscared][:O]you all sound like a healthy lot!!!!!!

[Jill]

healthier pockets maybe!