TJinSOMA

I'm heading to Venice and forgot to pack a prescription (I do have allowable refills at my home pharmacy). Does anyone know whether you can (or have had success) having an Italian pharmacy call your US pharmacy to allow a refill (it's for Ambien, so nothing too controversial).

Thanks

nytraveler

I don;t know the rules governing Rx in Italy - but Ambien or another med with potential for abuse is exactly the type there would be questions about. An antihypertensive, antibiotic or diabetes med would be much less likely to cause questions.

I would ask your hotel for a major english speaking pharmacy and then consult them. But I expect they may well ask you to see an MD in Italy for an Rx - or to have your US MD fax an Rx

Sarvowinner

I don't know that bringing a script with you to be filled will work. It certainly didn't work for us in Canada.

I brought a script for antihistimines and antibiotics with me to Canada as my daughter (4 at the time so needed oral meds) is highly allergic to mosquitos - sure enough the night before we flew back to Sydney she started to swell up.
The pharmacist refused to fill an Australian script and we paid $ 200 for the local out patients to issue a Canadian script.

Dayle

Hi T,

I don't understand. Do you mean you are literaly posting this and running out the door to catch you flight?

Why can't you just take it to the pharmacy and refill it?


I do not believe an Italian farmacia will fill it. A local hospital emergency room doctor might write you a new one though!

I got very sick on one trip, went into the Orvieto hospital, asked for the emergency room. I was directed to a small area and in the next room all the EMTs and nurses were sitting around.

After translating my problem (sinus infection, not a normal travel vocabulary word!), I saw a doctor and got a prescription. FREE. Went the farmacia and got my antibiotics with no wait and for 1/2 of what they cost in the US.

I liked the Italian system!

Buona fortuna!

estravel

you will probably have to see a doctor in venice to prescribe the medication. Your hotel concierge would help you.

Dukey

You forgot to pack a prescription but had enough time to post this question?

You may need to use the computer to remind you of things and/or generate a better packing list.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but your "situation" sounds a little priority-challenged.

Cato

Dukey - you are the King of the tough love approach!

suze

I think you are out of luck unless you want to take the time to go to an Italian doctor and get a new prescription. While a prescription for sleep meds would have been handy to have when traveling, I don't see that it's a deal-breaker to go without. Can you limp by with an over-the-counter sleep aid of some sort? Do you have any other prescriptions with you (like xanax or valium)?

Cato

Did what many of us do - have a glass of wine or two before bedtime.

suze

Cato, that was my other thought too!

MaureenB

In a pinch, try an over-the-counter sleep med, of which there are several brands. Even Tylenol makes a sleep aid.