Buying OTC medications in the US?

[redrosesix]

On a trip to the US a few years ago, I was surprised to find that some of the OTC medications that I was used to having (and had not brought with me) were not available there or were available only by prescription.

So...I'm starting this thread in the hopes that we can share some information on this topic. I'll compile it here in the first post. Please post any medications that you know are not available, or any that are sold under another name ie. same ingredients, different brand name.

Not available in the US without prescription:
anything with codeine
Robaxisol/Robaxicet (or any generic version of this drug)
Gravol
Tylenol #1
Polysporin (for pink eye, etc)
Allegra
Dimetapp (sold in the US but different from Can. version)


Same product sold under different name:
Gravol -- Dramamine, or dimenhydrinate (may not be available in suppository form)


Found in the US but not in Canada:
Emetrol (for nausea)
Aleve (for pain relief)
Zaditor (allergy eye drops)

My disclaimer: I am not a pharmacist, a nurse or an MD. This list is a compilation of information provided by fellow DISers. Please use this information at your own discretion.

Please help! Your fellow Canadians need to know what to pack! Thanks in advance to all of you who have added to this thread.

 

[Charleyann]

Gravol.......My son gets partial bowel obstructions. We needed Gravol to stop the vomiting. Not available in the States. Their brand, according to my son doesn't work as good!

No tylenol #1 either....(need a prescription)

Charleyann

 

[photomama]

you can buy a product called EMETROL over the counter. It works great for kids or adults. In fact, we always bring some back to Canada it's that good and it's a liquid PERFECT for kids.

Also, ALEVE great pain reliever for up to 8 hours. It contains Naproxin which is only available with a prescription in Canada. Another one we stock up on when in the states.

Hope this helps.

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[c&m]

Polysporin for pink eye (AKA conjunctivitis) is not OTC in the States, whereas it is in Canada. You need to see a doctor and get a prescription. We usually bring our own Polysporin.

When I think about all the little fingers touching handlebars on rides, buses, etc., and then the little fingers rubbing eyes, pink eye can potentially happen to any kid/adult.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I think there are some allergy meds like Claritin that you can't get without a prescription in the US. Not 100% sure about that.

Gravol.......My son gets partial bowel obstructions. We needed Gravol to stop the vomiting. Not available in the States. Their brand, according to my son doesn't work as good!

No tylenol #1 either....(need a prescription)

Charleyann

I didn't know that. I tried looking all over for Gravol a couple of trips ago.

The first aid center in MK gave me several small packets of Polysporin and band aids after I scraped my ankle once.

 

[redrosesix]

you can buy a product called EMETROL over the counter. It works great for kids or adults. In fact, we always bring some back to Canada it's that good and it's a liquid PERFECT for kids.

Also, ALEVE great pain reliever for up to 8 hours. It contains Naproxin which is only available with a prescription in Canada. Another one we stock up on when in the states.

Hope this helps.

Have a GREAT trip!

Are these pain relievers? What would you use them instead of?

 

[photomama]

EMETROL For relief of nausea due to upset stomach from intestinal flu, stomach flu, and food or drink indiscretions.

ALEVE is a pain reliever.

Also, Claritin is over the counter.

 

[redrosesix]

EMETROL For relief of nausea due to upset stomach from intestinal flu, stomach flu, and food or drink indiscretions.

ALEVE is a pain reliever.

Also, Claritin is over the counter.

Thanks! Now people can look for Emetrol instead of Gravol.

 

[restful urchin]

Gravol is a trade name for dimenhydrinate. It is sold in the US under the name Dramamine or as the generic, dimenhydrinate, like up here. (same dosage and everything)
That being said, some of my friends swear by the product Gravol and say that the generic does not work for them. I also have friends who never buy generic ANYTHING since they feel like there is a difference in quality.
Personally I have never found a difference in any of them and will get a couple boxes of dimenhydrinate while in the US to bring back here. (easier to get)
Happy travels!
Liz

 

[janecanadian]

I would just be careful about what you bring back though...not too long ago here Canada Customs had a big crack down on people bringing back Aleve and they took it all away from anyone who was bringing it back...

 

[ixmnrs]

For all those who suffer from Allergy Eye symptoms (itchy, watery, puffy eyes seasonally) load up on Zaditor drops. It is prescription here in Canada and OTC in the US. It's better than the OTC ones you can get in Canada (i.e. Opticrom, Naphcon A, Visine, etc.)

 

[mississaugamom]

Allegra is an allergy medication that's OTC here but prescription only in the US ...

Also, Dimetapp is a different formulation in the US than here ~ it doesn't seem to be as effective there, although my husband uses it all the time here with great success.

Arlene

 

[redrosesix]

Allegra is an allergy medication that's OTC here but prescription only in the US ...

Also, Dimetapp is a different formulation in the US than here ~ it doesn't seem to be as effective there, although my husband uses it all the time here with great success.

Arlene

We use Dimetapp too -- probably there are ingredients in the Canadian version that can't be included in the US.

Good to know

 

[rjan67]

I know it was noted in the first post, but definitely note Robaxin/Robaxecet is prescription in U.S. My husband hurt his back in Florida and off I went to the drug store....what a surprise! I always make sure I have some with me!

 

[Newcastle]

Gravol is a trade name for dimenhydrinate. It is sold in the US under the name Dramamine or as the generic, dimenhydrinate, like up here. (same dosage and everything)
That being said, some of my friends swear by the product Gravol and say that the generic does not work for them. I also have friends who never buy generic ANYTHING since they feel like there is a difference in quality.
Personally I have never found a difference in any of them and will get a couple boxes of dimenhydrinate while in the US to bring back here. (easier to get)
Happy travels!
Liz

One of my girls was ill the last time we were at WDW. We had a doctor come to the room to examine her and he was very interested in the Gravol children's suppositories that I had happened to bring with us (nothing worse than trying to introduce a liquid or pill-form medication into a vomiting child!). Anyway, while they obviously have Dramamine in the US, I'm not sure about the suppository form - the doctor we saw certainly hadn't heard of it and thought that it was the greatest thing since sliced bread!! I don't know if it is available over-the-counter as I always bring my own so I've never had to look!

 

[redrosesix]

One of my girls was ill the last time we were at WDW. We had a doctor come to the room to examine her and he was very interested in the Gravol children's suppositories that I had happened to bring with us (nothing worse than trying to introduce a liquid or pill-form medication into a vomiting child!). Anyway, while they obviously have Dramamine in the US, I'm not sure about the suppository form - the doctor we saw certainly hadn't heard of it and thought that it was the greatest thing since sliced bread!! I don't know if it is available over-the-counter as I always bring my own so I've never had to look!

Good to know! My kid is one of those "vomit 3 times an hour" kids (thank goodness she only gets sick like that every few years) -- for them, the suppository form is really the only thing.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Polysporin for pink eye (AKA conjunctivitis) is not OTC in the States, whereas it is in Canada. You need to see a doctor and get a prescription. We usually bring our own Polysporin.

When I think about all the little fingers touching handlebars on rides, buses, etc., and then the little fingers rubbing eyes, pink eye can potentially happen to any kid/adult.

And their ear drops!! DD developed an ear infection from swimming in the Pacific and we had a very hard time finding OTC ear drops. We now bring our own Polysporin drops too!

 

[SplashMom]

You can't buy extra strength ibuprofen. I hurt my back a few years ago while on vacation and couldn't buy robaxacet so I was taking the extra strenth ibuprofen that I took with me. When I tried to replace them, couldn't get anything extra strength without prescription!

You can purchase neosporin in the US while we need a prescription for it here. It is similar to polysporin but a bit stronger. I like to get some before returning home.

 

[redrosesix]

bump