lolwhat

hi I'm just asking if Codeine is legal in South Europe (Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia).
Thanks!

Dogeared

I'm just asking, legal for what? LOL

Are you trying to ask if it is available over the counter in a Pharmacy or only available by doctor's prescription?

The question I would have of course is why do you want it? It is an addictive drug.

https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...ona+by+train&*

MmePerdu

Apparently, if the website below is legal, codeine is legal in European Union countries on your list above:

http://www.prescription-europe.com/Nurofen-Plus.htm

BigRuss

Codeine is legal. The real question is whether an Rx is required. That answer does NOT come from MmePerdu's link. Those are prescription prices from a pharmacy.

MmePerdu

I didn't say a prescription wasn't needed, I have no idea, but was that the question? I don't think so.

Christina

Why else would the OP ask the question if they didn't want to get some without a prescription?

Is there any country in the world where it is illegal to even dispense by a doctor? Not according to Wikipedia, for what that's worth.

There really isn't any reason someone would need to ask this in advance unless they were an addict or intended to traffic in the drug.

PalenQ

The question I would have of course is why do you want it? It is an addictive drug.>

There really isn't any reason someone would need to ask this in advance unless they were an addict or intended to traffic in the drug.?

Baloney - codeine-aspirn and codeine-tylenol are availabe over the counter in the U.K. - at least was last time I were there and the first thing I do at airport is head to Boots to get a bottle -why -am I an addict- no - but that stuff does wonders for headaches and tooth aches and my sometimes aching bones - I do not take it unless needed.

Assume OP is same - have some condition where a good pain reliever is needed or nice to be on hand. The dosage in those is hardly addictive I would think- UK has some of the harshest drug laws in Europe yet they sell this 'codeine' (not cocaine) and how foolish to say they may want to traffic it - to who? If it's legal over the counter - and again contains so little addicive substance no addict in their right mind would buy it.

And it may be slightly addictive but if someone is in pain there are stronger pills they can easily get.

Dukey1

A bunch of people claiming they are not addicts telling us all about addicts' behavior is reassuring.

PalenQ

OP may be a user of Opiates legally in U.S. -many legitimately are but not want to transport stuff into Europe - for whatever reason so may just be asking for that reason.

WoinParis

Was thinking exactly the same thing PQ : OP might have codeine on him/her and asks if this is ok in Europe, just in case.
In any case, he is polite, whihc is something a lot of non codeine interested OP should be.

StCirq

I don't know what motives we should impart to the question - could be any number of things. While I can't speak to the legality of codeine in Europe in general, my understanding is that here in France you have to have a prescription for anything that contains codeine. A few years ago, when I was here with a badly diagnosed and broken, painful foot, my doctor gave me a prescription for a pain pill that was 10% codeine. The RX was for 40 of them. I still have 32 of them in my medicine cabinet. I didn't notice anything particularly "strong" or dangerous about them; they simply took care of the pain I was having for a few days and then I forgot about them. But I don't think there are any OTC medicines with codeine in them available in France...though I've never investigated.

Percy

I am a bit confused by the question.

Do you mean codeine as in a Tylenol compound ?

Do you mean the straight codeine pills.?

Why are you asking, because if you get the prescription from your doctor, then why be concerned.?

Are using them for a medical condition?

I have been to Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia and I had codeine containing medication with me.

Would you please clarify your concern.

Percy

I see this is your first post and you just joined Fodors today.!!!

Pvoyageuse

" my understanding is that here in France you have to have a prescription for anything that contains codeine. "

Several cough mixtures containing codeine are sold OTC in France.

WoinParis

'Several cough mixtures containing codeine are sold OTC in France.'

I've known a cat who wanted a cough syrup. She goes to the pharmacy and asks 'un sirop pour matou'.

Dogeared

There is a difference between something like Tylenol with codeine as an ingredient and codeine alone which is prescribed by a doctor for pain medication.

The OP did not ask about Tylenol, only codeine, so I would expect it is not Tylenol the OP is looking for.

It is relevant to ask why he wants it since as has been pointed out, if he has a prescription for it from his doctor, he CAN travel with it from home. He just needs to travel with it in the original labelled bottle from the pharmacy and have the doctor's prescription with him as well.

Carrying Tylenol etc. into a country where OTC codeine is not legal at all, will get you in trouble. It is not legal in as many countries in Europe as it is legal so anyone planning to carry any should check for the country/ies they intend to visit. The quantity of codeine allowed is also regulated. ie. 8mg in one country and 30mg. in another which is quite a difference.

See here:

https://www.researchgate.net/publica...European_Union

All of this simply indicates that it would make sense to know why the OP wants it and does he have a prescription or not.

bilboburgler

Codeine is illegal in certain Arab countries, you have to be careful not to extend your stay if in transit with such products in your bags. I ran a team of maintenance engineers in the Gulf and they all knew, don't take it with you.

PalenQ

OP- Some questions have been requested to clarify you situation.