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-   -   availability of zoloft in rome (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/availability-of-zoloft-in-rome-933870/)

paradiselady56 May 3rd, 2012 01:19 PM

availability of zoloft in rome
 
Hi,I am flying to Rome on sat via Dubai. Laws a forbid me to take zoloft into their country. My other alternative is to see a Dr in Rome and get a script. Any information would be greatly appreciated. This drug cannot be stopped abruptly.

johnnyomalley May 3rd, 2012 01:43 PM

Zoloft is manufactured by Pfizer, it is approved by the EMA for sale in Italy. Have you spoken with your Doctor about this? You may be able to have your Dr. write a script, and then take the script to a Dr in Italy and have it filled in Italy.

You could also try contacting the EMA or Pfizer for more information.

http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
http://www.pfizer.it/cont/pfizer-ita...zer-italia.asp

Marija May 3rd, 2012 02:04 PM

In numerous trips to many countries, I've never had anyone examine the contents of our medicine bag. Is it Italy or Dubai you are worried about?

Marija May 3rd, 2012 02:20 PM

Obviously I haven't flown through Dubai and was unaware of the very stringent regs, even for over the counter meds. Zoloft seems to be on the "controlled list" which only requires that you carry a prescription for it. Look on the official website.

paradiselady56 May 3rd, 2012 02:31 PM

Thanks for your reply. I have rung the use consulate here in Australia and he repeatedly said please mama do not take your medicine to Dubai. It is listed as a narcotic drug to my understanding.

Apres_Londee May 3rd, 2012 02:32 PM

I've taken ADHD medication, which is far more strictly controlled than Zoloft, into Italy once and out of Italy twice by airplane. I carried it my purse and no one ever questioned me about it. I've never been questioned about medication anywhere for that matter.

Are you sure it's illegal to bring it into Italy? That doesn't make much sense to me.

Apres_Londee May 3rd, 2012 02:34 PM

Oh sorry, you mean Dubai. That's crazy if Zoloft is listed as a narcotic. I would double check that, they must have an official website with such information.

Apres_Londee May 3rd, 2012 02:46 PM

It looks like you can take your prescription Zoloft into Dubai, you just have to get a bit of extra documentation before you go. Ask your family doctor about the permit thing, they might know all about it and how to do the paperwork. If not, try looking up a medical clinic in your area that deals with travel issues (lots of them do, often catering to the immigrant community).

<i>The latest guidelines issued from the UAE Ministry of Health state that a visitor entering or transiting the UAE who is carrying controlled drugs (narcotic, psychotropic, CDa and CDb) should have in his/her possession a valid medical prescription (if the original has been retained by the dispensing pharmacy, an attested copy of the prescription should be carried) and an authenticated certificate and/or permit from the health authority of the country of departure confirming that the traveller has legal authority to possess the drugs. Visitors should not carry more than 30 days worth of the prescription.</i>

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...-arab-emirates

http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/drug.asp

worldinabag May 3rd, 2012 02:51 PM

Hi

Ask your physician to provide you with a letter authorising the use of your medication. Of course if the substance is banned in that country your letter is not worth the paper it's written on. Also keep the med in its original packaging i.e don't seperate the pills and store them in a more "convenient container".

midatlmom May 3rd, 2012 04:07 PM

Could you fedex it to your destination in Rome so that it would be there when you arrive?

Apres_Londee May 3rd, 2012 04:14 PM

All she needs is some very routine paperwork- a notarized copy of the doctor's prescription and a government verification form.

paradiselady56 May 3rd, 2012 04:18 PM

Sorry, I may have confused some people. I am worried about taking the medication through Dubai. It is OK to take it into Italy. I will be in transit but Dubai laws are the same for transit. I will try ringing the consulate in Canberra again. However has anyone had experience with Dr in Rome for medications.thankyoueveryone for your help

pookymimi May 3rd, 2012 04:51 PM

Italy you shouldn't have any issues. My husband who is Bipolar takes all his heavy meds with him to Italy and I can't even fly without my Xanax that I take everywhere.

I believe if you bring your Dr. prescriptions with you you should be able to bring them to a doctor to verify them for a pharmacy.

For Dubai I can't give an opinion though.

nytraveler May 3rd, 2012 04:51 PM

Zoloft is NOT a narcotic - but it is a psychotropic. If you bring an Rx from your home MD you should have no problem getting Zoloft in italy, (Unless you are taking some weirdly huge amount of it - that they might question.)

johnnyomalley May 3rd, 2012 05:29 PM

Zoloft is not a narcotic it is a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)

justineparis May 3rd, 2012 07:57 PM

As stated,, Italy is not the problem,, Dubai is , they are a completely different kettle of fish( basically freaking nuts,, don't even take non prescription meds with codeine in them there, totally verbotten) .

I think your're doing the right thing in contacting your consulate,, and absolutely get doctors scprit etc,

Good luck,, and perhaps avoid flying through Dubai next time,, too scary.

Ackislander May 4th, 2012 12:43 AM

Please read what is quoted: Apres_Londee did. A letter from the doctor will NOT do. She needs a notarized copy of the prescription AND a government form even to TRANSIT through Dubai.

As to going to a doctor in Italy, what would happen to you if you arrived in Boston and had to find a doctor who would prescribe ativan, zoloft, or hydrocodone? Not easy.

Apres_Londee May 4th, 2012 04:28 AM

I agree, I wouldn't want to fool around trying to find a doctor in a foreign country who would write me a prescription. I think that would be a lot more complicated than simply getting the required paperwork beforehand so you can take your own pills with you.

Yes, its a hassle and there is probably going to be a small expense involved, but not as much hassle as doing it the other way imo. You want to relax and focus on your trip when you land in Rome, not stress out about getting your medication.

travelbug66 May 4th, 2012 06:22 AM

Hope you have this sorted out already but if not my suggestion would be to have the capsules in original container, have a copy of a prescription for the zoloft from your md (or a photocopy of your original certified from your pharmacy)and contact your local(federal) government official to see if they can help with any form/letter to state that you have a legal rx for it. As stated above if you need more than a 30 day supply, it may be more difficult. If you do have to go to a doctor/pharmacy in Rome the chemical name is sertraline which may be more familiar to the medical professionals there. Note the wording of the above statement regarding "health authority" of the country may be simply your doctor but hard to say for sure. Too bad this is an issue as this drug has virtually zero abuse potential.

nytraveler May 4th, 2012 09:53 AM

Sorry - hydrocodone is nothing whatever like Zoloft. The latter is an anidepressant prescribed to many millions of people and has essentially no potential for abuse nor any street value.

Narcotics are a completely differnt thing - and those you might well have trouble obtaining in any country - without a specific, strong reason. In Italy and hotel should be able to provide the contct information for an MD that would write a script for Zoloft - esp if one had a scipt or empty bottle from your own MD.


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