Paris Pharmacie/Medicine Question

Old Oct 1st, 2012, 04:05 PM
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Paris Pharmacie/Medicine Question

During a six-week visit to France in the Spring, I need to use a dental rinse, Chlorhexidine Gluconate (non-generic name = Peridex), twice a day. That would require bringing six, 16 ounce bottles from the US, which seems impractical even with checked luggage, and except for needing that med, we would bring only carry-ons. It is a prescription med in the US.

Questions:

How can I find out if it is even available in France?

If it is, how can I find out whether a French prescription is needed to buy it?

Can someone reply with the email address for a (ideally Paris) pharmacie to which I can ask those questions in English in the event no one reading this knows the answers?

Thanks for any help.
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Old Oct 1st, 2012, 04:31 PM
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A little internet research suggests that in France it might be called Dosiseptine or Exoseptoplix, if that helps ring any bells.
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Old Oct 1st, 2012, 04:31 PM
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Bring one bottle with you and take it to a pharmacie and they will give you more. It's probably not a prescription in France, but any pharmacie can tell you which nearby clinic to go to to get a prescription if you need it. It's the same word in French - chlorhexidine. They will probably have it in two forms: pâte dentifrice (dental paste) or spray buccal (oral spray), which may be different from what you're using, but essentially the same thing.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 06:51 AM
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Thank you, StCirq, that would still require a checked bag and may be what we need to do. We will also explore shipping a package with the bottle(s) to the apartment rental agency to be held for our arrival. More internet search found that the strength of the solution is weaker in the French version, and a prescription is required, although I appreciate your suggestion that we might be able to get it by showing our bottle.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 07:03 AM
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If you're trying to keep your luggage to carry-on size only, there are still plenty of ways of letting a French pharmacy know what you need. Decant a small amount into a carryon-permitted size bottle and take the package leaflet with you (there should be a leaflet with every prescription medicine). That's just as good as having the bottle. If you've got a smartphone with camera, take a picture of the bottle to show the pharmacist. And you can also steam the label off a bottle to take along.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 09:47 AM
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Yes, the label or a picture of it is plenty.

Pharmacies and parapharmacies generally all of that sort of stuff.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 09:48 AM
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add "have" to that last verbless phrase!
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 10:55 AM
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Liquids with a script can exceed the 3 oz limit for carry on.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 11:50 AM
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True -- any medical certificate will allow larger size liquids through security in airports.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 12:04 PM
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Just put in its own ziploc with the the prescription info showing and you should have no problem with the TSA.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 03:54 PM
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Thank you all for the good information and suggestions.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2012, 08:16 PM
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If in Paris there's a pharmacy near Opera Garnier called British and American Pharmacy. It's 1 Rue Auber, easy to find. They certainly helped me greatly when I developed a blister on my foot and could hardly walk, they patched me up well and good so I could continue on. Obviously from the name you know they speak English. [email protected] This is the email address.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 07:10 AM
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I think your best idea is to mail the bottles to your apartment agency in France. That way you are sure to have them and not have to be concerned about finding a pharmacy. And take as much as you are allowed in your carry-on.

(You are going on a six-week visit and only need carry-ons??)
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 07:16 AM
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First, I don't have any facts to back up this statement; second, I'd worry about sending a large quantity of medicine in the mail (is it legal to do so? would it be stolen?)

Taking one bottle (or decanting some) and seeing the pharmacie upon arrival seems the most logical suggestions.

Please let everyone know how this works out.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 07:22 AM
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I was going to mail a small parcel to France from home in US. Under 4 lbs. cost was $28.

PeaceOut, we only have carry on and are here for 6 weeks. Once you have stuff for 4 or 5 days, that's all you need. We simply do laundry as needed. Biggest issue is varying temps in different locations, but we are used to dressing in layers.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 07:42 AM
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I would not ship them but if you do, take one with you as back-up with the prescription.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 07:45 AM
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that would still require a checked bag and may be what we need to do. We will also explore shipping a package with the bottle(s) to the apartment rental agency to be held for our arrival

take an empty bottle and a copy of your prescription to avoid checking your bag.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 08:05 AM
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'(You are going on a six-week visit and only need carry-ons??)'

Why not? We went round the world, Canada, NZ, Australia, Burma for 4 months with carry ons. It can be done.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 08:39 AM
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Since there is a French wiki about the item, it should be available in all pharmacies.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorhexidine
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Old Oct 3rd, 2012, 08:41 AM
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Yes, this product is available in France. There are different preparations of chlorhexidine gluconate (or digluconate) used for different indications. You want the 0.12% concentration mouthwash preparation. Brand names you may see in France include Paroex, Prexidine, Dentohexine and others.
Best bet as mentioned above is to bring with you a bottle with the Rx label. Medication is not subject to the TSA restrictions on carry on liquids. From the TSA site at http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-informat...r-using-3-1-1:
Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening.

Go to a pharmacy in Paris with the bottle. Not sure if a prescription is required but if it is the pharmacy can refer you to get one.
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