Bringing Meds abroad

I take tablets for epilepsy which you can usually only get on prescription after visits to a neurologist etc.  I've never been to Vietnam but I have been to various other places and never had any problem as long as they're in the original packaging with the sticker from the pharmacist on the side.

We do not know whereabouts we will be placed yet. My udnerstanding is we are placed around Vietnam so will nto find out until I am there! Ive had both malarone which is very expensive and ive had doxcycline last time I was in Vietnam and it was fine for me although I know some people have had nightmares and minor hallucinations on them!!!

@ Lucy: As long as you are based in HCMC you will not need anti-malaria tablets. (See http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/vietnam.aspx - there's also a link to a malaria hotspot map). However, if you intend to go inland or to cross the border into Laos/Cambodia, it's advisable to take anti-malarials.

Bear in mind that prescriptions for anti-malarials are private- rather than NHS-funded. My 80-day supply of Malarone set me back around £180. Nonetheless, as it's both cure and prevention, it was worth it for peace of mind if nothing else! There are cheaper anti-malarials such as Mefloquine and Doxycycline, but I was put off by their reported side-effects. I experienced no problems whatsover with Malarone.

Im going to the Vietnam on the internship and was thinking the same thing, mainly about malaria as Im not sure how much supply to take because I don't know where Im going to be placed!!! :@ I think i'm gonna ask the project leader what other people have done!!

Thing is my doc recommended I bring a six month supply :P , which will be bulky and suspiciouos looking I guess. If I knew I could get my meds in Vietnam and that my prescription would be accepted over there I would just leave it until I arrived but again this just seems like hassle. Thanks for the stories Briona and Timkali :)

Hi there,

I'm not aware that there is a limit on quantity, or at least I never found anything when researching my trip. Both my friend and I had no problems bringing a three-month supply of cold and flu remedies, a must in Vietnam since (a) you will get sick and (b) these things simply don't exist there, anti-malaria tablets and headache tablets. Talking of which, I'm pretty sure that Codeine-based products are illegal, e.g,. Solpadeine, etc, so go with aspirin- or paracetamol-based ones.

My medicine box for Vietnam would include:
- headache tablets
- Lemsip and/or other cold and flu remedies
- Strepsils
- Immodium Plus (LOTS of)
- Dulcolax
- Canesten or similar for athlete's foot/sweat rash
- Sudocreme (good for burns/bites/rashes)
- anti-malaria tablets (if you intend to take trips inland or cross into Cambodia/Laos)
- band-aids/plasters
- hand sanitiser

Some people also took water purifying tablets, but I simply stuck to bottled water!

Hope that helps,

Briona

Hey there!

I took 3months worth of malaria tablets, 2 vaccinations and general medication for headaches and antihistamines into Ho Chi Minh City and had no problems. Maybe you should send an email to the Vietnam Embassy and ask them just to be sure?

consular@vietnamembassy.org.uk

Timka