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-   -   OTC triptan medications in France (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/otc-triptan-medications-in-france-1696229/)

frescadelilah Mar 5th, 2021 01:33 PM

OTC triptan medications in France
 
I am trying to determine if any triptan (headache) medications are available over the counter in France. Anyone have experience with this?

mikelg Mar 6th, 2021 01:50 AM

Could it be that Spain has not yet been conquered by France and added to the Republique? :) wrong forum!

In any case, if youŽd need to buy triptan in Spain, youŽd need a prescription from a local doctor.

Sarastro Mar 6th, 2021 04:57 AM

Virtually noting of this type is sold over the counter in France. You will need to ask a pharmacist specifically. If you do not speak French, I have not seen a pharmacy, yet that did not have someone on staff who could not speak English.

janisj Mar 6th, 2021 09:46 AM

Welcome to Fodors. AFAIK several triptan brands are sold all over Europe. But the concept of over the counter is slightly different than in the States. A prescription is not required but it is behind the counter and one must talk to the pharmacist.

(Not quite sure what mikelg is talking about -- your thread is tagged for both France and Spain - neither country has a 'forum' of its own. They are all lumped together on the Europe Forum)

jkbritt Mar 10th, 2021 10:21 AM

I have learned the hard way, if you take any drugs overseas, take the bottle they came in and a prescription list from your Doctor. Preferably, the list should contain drug name, dosage, and what it is for. If it is otc here, make sure it is legal where you are going.

Also, I take a lot of tums for indigestion. They do not sell Tums in France. I got questioned by security in France when I landed about what it was and what it does. Thankfully, it was in the original container. Taking insulin with freezer packs in the cooler is also a way to be questioned a bit more.

mikelg Mar 10th, 2021 10:29 AM


Originally Posted by janisj (Post 17219566)
Welcome to Fodors. AFAIK several triptan brands are sold all over Europe. But the concept of over the counter is slightly different than in the States. A prescription is not required but it is behind the counter and one must talk to the pharmacist.

(Not quite sure what mikelg is talking about -- your thread is tagged for both France and Spain - neither country has a 'forum' of its own. They are all lumped together on the Europe Forum)

Correct, but the title of the original post specifically requests "in France", I was wondering if it was also a question for Spain.


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