Pharmacy in Mexico

[Dive Bar Casanova]

So many visit the town Pharmacies when the ships dock in Mexico.
No prescriptions needed most drugs sold over the counter.

Some passengers have no health insurance or their deductible is astronomical or their insurance won’t cover it or it’s a medication not yet approved in their home country.

Xanax, Adivan sumatriptan, surprising what you can simply walk in and buy over the counter there.

We get asked which pharmacy’s are the most reliable?
If you read reviews they all are subject to counterfeit/fake pills.

Our experience is 95% of our purchases are the legit, real drug and our average cost is $18 per.

Often the pharmacy will tell you how much of a prescription you can bring back through customs. A red flag is no employee speaks English.

Most people simply bring their empty prescriptions pill containers and refill them even if it says no refill on the lable.
Customs usually ignores that.

Phoenix chain of pharmacies have been the most reliable but read the reviews on all. All are subject to shenanigans.

 

[OKW Lover]

Interesting. I've read about these pharmacy tricks but I'm cautious. As noted, there is no way to be sure you are getting the legitimate item. Is there a way to know what US drugs that require a prescription are available without one in Mexico? Will they have a different name?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I do know that you can get antibiotics in Mexico without a prescription. And Voltran cream (similar to Bengay), which just recently became OTC in the US, has been available in Mexico without a prescription for several years. When I was having knee problems several years ago, I went to the doctor, who recommended Voltran, but told me to go over the border (Mexico is about 15 minutes away, like going to the next town) and buy it there, where I got 3 tubes for about $5. I think it's about $10/tube in the US.

 

[cvjw]

I do know that you can get antibiotics in Mexico without a prescription. And Voltran cream (similar to Bengay), which just recently became OTC in the US, has been available in Mexico without a prescription for several years. When I was having knee problems several years ago, I went to the doctor, who recommended Voltran, but told me to go over the border (Mexico is about 15 minutes away, like going to the next town) and buy it there, where I got 3 tubes for about $5. I think it's about $10/tube in the US.

I tried to purchase antibiotics in Cozumel and they needed a prescription from a Dr.

 

[Simba's Mom]

nerdlegame 888 5/6





.

I tried to purchase antibiotics in Cozumel and they needed a prescription from a Dr.

Really? Maybe things have changed. Now that I think back, although I used to buy antibiotics there regularly, it’s been a lot of years Thanks for letting me know.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I was able to buy hydrochlorothiazide (aka: HCTZ) which is a diuretic usually to treat high blood pressure. It is one of 2 ingredients in my blood pressure med. I bought it because there is so much more sodium in DCL food than what I'm used to at home and sometimes I feel a little puffy all over from that after 2 days onboard. On our first 14-nt WBPC sailing, I was afraid I'd end up looking like the Michelin Man if I didn't take a little extra. I don't need the extra every day, just 2-3 over the cruise was enough.
It had the foil seal over the top. I sure hope it was legit. It worked as it should.

 

[cvjw]

I was able to buy hydrochlorothiazide (aka: HCTZ) which is a diuretic usually to treat high blood pressure. It is one of 2 ingredients in my blood pressure med. I bought it because there is so much more sodium in DCL food than what I'm used to at home and sometimes I feel a little puffy all over from that after 2 days onboard. On our first 14-nt WBPC sailing, I was afraid I'd end up looking like the Michelin Man if I didn't take a little extra. I don't need the extra every day, just 2-3 over the cruise was enough.
It had the foil seal over the top. I sure hope it was legit. It worked as it should.

I also used to swell when sailing with DCL. When I finally figured out that I needed to stop drinking the ship’s water, that all stopped. My last 3 sailings on the fantasy, I brought a case of large water bottles onboard. I now drink those instead of refilling my water bottle at the refill stations. I have changed nothing else and had zero issues. I also check the water with a porter at the port and it is always delivered straight to my cabin.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I also used to swell when sailing with DCL. When I finally figured out that I needed to stop drinking the ship’s water, that all stopped. My last 3 sailings on the fantasy, I brought a case of large water bottles onboard. I now drink those instead of refilling my water bottle at the refill stations. I have changed nothing else and had zero issues. I also check the water with a porter at the port and it is always delivered straight to my cabin.

Interesting. We started carrying on bottled water when we were charged almost $60 to buy a case onboard after 18% tip.
I swore I’d never buy their water again so I bought a little collapsible carry on with wheels at Walmart for $20 and it’s perfect for that. Sometimes I have considered using the ship’s free filtered water to save us the effort but after reading your story, it looks like we’ll keep on carrying on. Thank you.

 

[MamaMermaid]

That makes me too nervous. Glad it's an option for some, though!

 

[TXDCLfan]

I tried to purchase antibiotics in Cozumel and they needed a prescription from a Dr.

I am calling BS to this

 

[DisneyDad0315]

So many visit the town Pharmacies when the ships dock in Mexico.
No prescriptions needed most drugs sold over the counter.

Some passengers have no health insurance or their deductible is astronomical or their insurance won’t cover it or it’s a medication not yet approved in their home country.

Xanax, Adivan sumatriptan, surprising what you can simply walk in and buy over the counter there.

We get asked which pharmacy’s are the most reliable?
If you read reviews they all are subject to counterfeit/fake pills.

Our experience is 95% of our purchases are the legit, real drug and our average cost is $18 per.

Often the pharmacy will tell you how much of a prescription you can bring back through customs. A red flag is no employee speaks English.

Most people simply bring their empty prescriptions pill containers and refill them even if it says no refill on the lable.
Customs usually ignores that.

Phoenix chain of pharmacies have been the most reliable but read the reviews on all. All are subject to shenanigans.

I got a cold sore on day 3 of my 7 night sailing last year on DCL. I went directly to the pharmacy when we got to Cabo San Lucas and got some ointment. That cold sore went away in 24 hours! I've never had one go away so fast and I was happy. I had to spend $10 minimum to pay with my card so I bought the ointment and some masks.

 

[cvjw]

I am calling BS to this

Mega store. Cozumel. 2022. Haven’t tried since.
Rosalina, a CM from the fantasy suggested we go to the pharmacy at the Mega store because they were more reputable, and would not have counterfeit medications. She said that was where the fantasy cast members liked to shop. We were turned away because we did not have a drs prescription for antibiotics. We left the mega store with only some vanilla, which I unfortunately dropped and spilled when we went back thru Mexican customs to get back on the ship.

Not sure why you call BS on this unless you have successfully purchased antibiotics from the Mega store in Cozumel without a prescription since 2022.

 

[kiford]

Even if you can purchase without a prescription and you trust the source (personally, unless it was an emergency and I had no alternative, I totally would not purchase in Mexico even with a recommendation because you don't know what the pharmacy's sources are providing to them), you may find that if you try to bring them back across the border, some medications will be seized if you do not have a current prescription. And there are limits to the amounts you can bring across the border. It's best to check before you go to avoid seizures and/or fines.

 

[Chemist]

Honestly I don't understand why you would WANT to buy antibiotics in Mexico to take as needed! There is a great deal to be said for a doctor determining if your infection is viral vs. bacterial and choosing WHICH antibiotic you need and what dosing frequency.

Antibiotics can mess with your gut flora. I wouldn't self-prescribe them!!

 

[Disneyfam854]

When we were in Cozumel in 2022 and 2023, the pharmacies we entered near port did have signs stating prescription required for certain medications on the lists- I myself was kinda suprised, but whether or not they actually follow this statement may be another story . (We did not try so can’t tell you for sure)

 

[Mango7100]

Honestly I don't understand why you would WANT to buy antibiotics in Mexico to take as needed! There is a great deal to be said for a doctor determining if your infection is viral vs. bacterial and choosing WHICH antibiotic you need and what dosing frequency.

Antibiotics can mess with your gut flora. I wouldn't self-prescribe them!!

This. I am a vet so obviously not licensed to prescribe to people, but it is so frustrating how many people just want antibiotics for their pet all the time. If it’s viral antibiotics do nothing—recovery time is the same whether you prescribe them or not. Then people don’t take them as directed, don’t take the proper dose, don’t use the correct class. Only thing that does is contribute to the alarming rise of super resistant bacteria that nothing touches. And mess with your GI flora.

Also have had people ask me to prescribe antibiotics to their pet that they can use themselves or they just want “to have on hand”. Um, no.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Honestly I don't understand why you would WANT to buy antibiotics in Mexico to take as needed! There is a great deal to be said for a doctor determining if your infection is viral vs. bacterial and choosing WHICH antibiotic you need and what dosing frequency.

Antibiotics can mess with your gut flora. I wouldn't self-prescribe them!!

When DH was in the hospital battling an infection, the specialists did a "culture" of the infection to determine which antibiotic would work the best, and the dosage needed, without messing with his kidneys. There's a lot more to it than just popping pills of questionable quality til the pain goes away.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Only thing that does is contribute to the alarming rise of super resistant bacteria that nothing touches.

Humanity discovers antibiotics so things like amputating infected limbs doesn't have to happen.
Humanity misuses antibiotics so things like amputating infected limbs has to happen.