I have written a post on what medicines to take (and not take) to Mexico, however, it is very possible that you will need to visit a pharmacy in Mexico for something you forgot or didn’t know you would need. This post is to help you know what to expect from a pharmacy in Mexico.
First of all, the person behind the counter is often not a Pharmacist. They also often speak very little English. There are high end pharmacies, like in a medical center where there are trained pharmacists to help you. However , when you walk into a local pharmacy, the person is more like a technician with a very limited knowledge. Also, the medications available will be highly variable from location
to location. This seems to be a mostly due to the size of the store. For example, I needed some distilled
water and had to visit 3 or 4 stores before I found one that stocked it.
Resort Pharmacies
On resorts that are geared toward foreign tourists, the pharmacy may only stock drugs that are Over the Counter in the U.S. and Canada.
What Medicines Do I Need in Mexico?
We have entire blog post dedicated to this very question: Check out What Medicines to Take or Not Take on Your Mexico Vacation
Do I Need A Prescription?
Great question. For very serious drugs, like big time narcotics, you normally will need to find a pharmacy in Mexico with a pharmacist. And you will need a prescription. Likewise , Mexican law seems to require a prescription for antibiotics and a few other more complicated medicines. However, It seems fairly common for tourists to be able to buy many prescription drugs without one. This could be helpful if you happen to be unfortunate enough to get travelers diarrhea and need something like ofloxocin to treat it. Speak with your doctor or a travel medicine specialist before you go to get the current recommended treatment regimen.
Don’t Get Sucked In To the Promotions
Almost every pharmacy I walked into in Mexico, before I could walk out I was presented with brochures to entice me to buy (without a prescription) all sorts of magical cures that are prescription only in the U,S, and Canada for a very good reason. You may be able to get one of your normal prescription medications without a prescription at a pharmacy in Mexico.
Body building steroids
to make you men look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, It will also give you ‘roid rage, shrink your testicles and make you more at risk for heart disease.
Travel Medicine
you will see Alprazolam (brand name Xanax). I guess travel must be super
stressful, because this is a fast acting benzodiazepine , antianxiety drug that is rapidly habit forming due to its rapid onset and short duration, making you quick to take another one. For legitimate advice on travel medicine, check out this Mayo Clinic Article although it may be a bit intensel
Anxiety Meds
there are a handful of other benzodiazepines that also are not good for you.
There is a section for “Sleeping Pills” where you can buy zolpidem. Another prescription benzodiazepine and habit forming drug.
Pain Killers
I don’t think you can usually get heavy narcotics like oxydcodone, but you obviously you can get Tylenol #3 and buprenorphine ! Again, there are many reasons that these drugs are not only prescription-only in other countries , but are also controlled substances. Don’t get sucked in,
ADHD Meds
These should not be self prescribed. they are abusable stimulants . Similarly they have diet pills called fentermine that causes insomnia and hypertension.
Muscle Relaxers
including Flexeril are advertised, which would not be a good combination with the inevitable tourist’s margaritas.
What Can You Get?
While I would like to discourage you all from the purchase of the promotional drugs on the brochure, you can certainly get all the same over the counter medicines as the need arises.
Here a couple of things that could be helpful. If you use or need Voltaren gel for joint pain, you can get a stronger version that is 2.32% instead of 1% available OTC in the U.S. and is likely a bit more effective.
Another advantage at a pharmacy in Mexico, if you do happen to get a gastrointestinal bug, you can get ondansetron (Zofran®) , which is a prescription only anti-
nausea drug in the US and Canada. You should check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have any contraindications like heart issues, but it is super helpful when it is needed.
Note , despite the fact that I am a clinical pharmacist , I do not have any of your medical information, so I cannot give you any medical advice. You should always check with your doctor.
The List May Not Be Accurate
A pharmacy in Mexico have a long list of drugs available. Most of these have strong pharmacologic effects and side effects. I suspect, however, that you would find that many of the drugs on the list are not actually available. Unless you have a prescrliption. I would discourage taking these meds just because you can buy them.
Summary of Pharmacy Experience in Mexico
So, I hope this is helpful information about what you can expect from pharmacies in Mexico.
