Cold medication in the U.S.

[Sheribo]

We are returning from a week long trip to SSR with my daughter and her 3 friends. Unfortunately, we all came down with a sinus cold throughout the week. We tried to buy some Advil Cold & Sinus on Wednesday but were stopped by the pharmacy technician. He asked for my drivers license and scanned it multiple times trying to read it and then got a message that I had exceeded my limit for medications with pseudoephedrine. I had never purchased this medication in the U.S. before or been asked for I.D. so how could I be over?

I'm baffled but will take some with me next time just in case.

 

[Remmy]

I work in a pharmacy and hear different stories all the time.

It is unfortunate you were not able to purchase the medication you wanted. Since we always drive I take down a "mini-pharmacy" with me, to make certain I don't have to go through what you did.

It is funny what we sell over the counter are sometimes behind their counters and there is a lot of hoops to jump through. Whereas the same can be found for ours too, and when we have tourists, they are certain to question us on why it is that way.

We can sell Tylenol 1 with out a prescription here in Ontario with the Pharmacist's permission but I have been told in certain States (Florida) it can only be purchased by prescription.

We can only sell Hydrocortisone Cream 1% by prescription in Ontario but in Florida and Michigan it is on the over the counter shelves with a cheaper price tag for name brand then the Hydrocotisone Cream or Ointment 0.5% strength (not as strong) in Ontario!!

Sometimes too, I have been told but not personally looked, that some of the drug formulations may be slightly different than the US brand. That could be another reason on why the hoopla when trying to purchase the Advil.

Now I am curious and will go look on my bottle if it has that in it or not.

Remmy

 

[rjan67]

I have not had this happen. I purchased cold medicine last year before my cruise in Cocoa Beach and it was on sale 2 for 1 and no one scanned anything. I've also gotten cold medicine in Michigan (as I work there and frequently shop) and never had that happen. Must be something new....I will ask a pharmacist at work tomorrow.

 

[torontodisneyfan]

Not sure how true this is, but I have heard that certain ingredients in over-the-counter medications can be used in the process of making crystal meth and that is why certain non-prescription meds are behind the counter.

 

[sk8jdgca]

also just wondering, why don't we have kids dimtab anymore in Canada?

 

[visitingapril09]

We are leaving for Florida Tuesday and I bought Sudafed from behind the counter yesterday as my daughter has a cold. Yes, it is due to it being used for the production of street drugs apparently. Thanks to some twits it is a lot harder for those with a bad cold to get some sinus relief!!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I had to drink themoflu ... rather than Neo Citran .... yuck! There are a lot of drugs that we can get at home that we couldn't get on our recent trip. Learned a valuable lesson ... pack cold meds from home!

 

[Alderbrook]

There was talk about putting cold meds behind the counters here as well because kids were using them to get high. There's a certain ingrediant in some of them that gives some type of high. Can't remember exactly how they were doing it, but for some reason they decided to leave them on the shelf & I *think* that if a child or teenager tries to buy it the pharmacist can say no.

As for the scanning, I have no idea about that as I always bring everything from home. They sell cold meds in the hotel shops at WDW & I can't see the cashier scanning ID's there.

 

[KerriMc]

I always bring Gravol (as I've had my youngest have wicked stomach bugs on two separate occasions ... and there was nothing I could give her to help a wee bit) ... I also bring Advil Cold and Sinus since you cant' always get it. I also bring Robaxisal as on one occasion I pulled my back slightly (and a Robax ALWAYS relieves it quickly) but the best the pharmacist could suggest was Aleve!!! It didn't do much --- thankfully I found one pill tucked in my purse and problem solved! So I always travel with the above!!!

 

[damo]

We are returning from a week long trip to SSR with my daughter and her 3 friends. Unfortunately, we all came down with a sinus cold throughout the week. We tried to buy some Advil Cold & Sinus on Wednesday but were stopped by the pharmacy technician. He asked for my drivers license and scanned it multiple times trying to read it and then got a message that I had exceeded my limit for medications with pseudoephedrine. I had never purchased this medication in the U.S. before or been asked for I.D. so how could I be over?

I'm baffled but will take some with me next time just in case.

When I purchased Zyrtec D in the US in February, they had to run my driver's license through the computer and register me. It is the same formula as Reactine with Decongestant in Canada. I was only allowed to purchase 1 box of medication. I don't know how you would have exceeded your limit if you had never purchased before. The attendant probably ran something through incorrectly or couldn't be bothered doing the work with the Canadian driver's license, so he just gave you that story. It took the guy at least 10 minutes to do mine.

 

[Sheribo]

I understand why pseudoephedrine is controlled and don't have a problem asking the pharmacy for it. My concern was that, as a Canadian, I could not meet the requirements to buy it.

We were able to get some in Virginia on our way home. My husband used his drivers license and it worked fine. I told the tech what happened at the other Walgreens and she that each time he tried to scan it probably registered each as a sale and would then show I purchased 5 boxes that day alone! I guess we'll never know.

 

[ChisJo]

There was talk about putting cold meds behind the counters here as well because kids were using them to get high. There's a certain ingrediant in some of them that gives some type of high. Can't remember exactly how they were doing it, but for some reason they decided to leave them on the shelf & I *think* that if a child or teenager tries to buy it the pharmacist can say no.

I didn't think the cold meds in Canada carried the ingredient pseudoephedrine in it for that reason, and that is why our cold meds are still OTC. However, meds like Gravol are now behind the counter because of the homemade drugs that have those as one of the primary ingredients (ie: meth).

 

[livvylivvie]

I didn't think the cold meds in Canada carried the ingredient pseudoephedrine in it for that reason, and that is why our cold meds are still OTC. However, meds like Gravol are now behind the counter because of the homemade drugs that have those as one of the primary ingredients (ie: meth).

Wow... This is new to me. but now I understand why I have only been able to find the *ginger* Gravol... I will now go and ask the pharmacist for the regular gravol.

 

[Alderbrook]

I just bought gravol the other day off the shelf.

 

[Sheribo]

I think the regulations change even between provinces as well.

 

[Alderbrook]

I think the regulations change even between provinces as well.

They must because we buy gravol a few times a year to use as a sleep aid (Dr recommended it because it is non-habit forming) & I know I just bought it off the shelf not that long ago.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Yes, the regulations between provinces do change. In Ontario gravol does not have to be kept behind the counter, but some pharmacies choose to do so.
Pseudoephedrine must be kept behind the counter unless it is sold combined with another product eg. sudafed head cold and sinus - it has pseudoephedrine + acetaminophen in it.

 

[ChisJo]

I think the regulations change even between provinces as well.

Makes sense...in Alberta, all Gravol is kept behind the counter (except the ginger gravol).