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Do I need Prescription to Simple Medicines in Florida?

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Do I need Prescription to Simple Medicines in Florida?

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Old Oct 28th, 2008, 05:27 PM
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Do I need Prescription to Simple Medicines in Florida?

Hi, I’m from Brazil and I’m planning a trip to FL, US next month with my wife and kid and I was wondering… Do I need a prescription to buy simple medicines such as Tylenol, Antacids, Anti-Diarrhea and Vitamins?
Thanks in advance.
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Old Oct 28th, 2008, 05:36 PM
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No prescription necessary for the items you mention.
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Old Oct 28th, 2008, 06:27 PM
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Nope! No prescriptions necessary for those in the US.
I'm curious: do you need prescriptions for those things in Brazil?
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Old Oct 28th, 2008, 07:25 PM
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No. You'll be able to buy all of these in any drugstore without a prescription.
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Old Oct 28th, 2008, 09:59 PM
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Each of the drugstore chains (Rite-Aid, Walgreens, CVS) as well as supermarket or megamart chains like Albertsons, WalMart, or Target all have store brand generic versions of each of the items you describe (maybe not so much for vitamins). Buying these versions can save you money versus buying name brand Tylenol, etc.
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Old Oct 29th, 2008, 04:57 AM
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Some places (maybe nationwide?) have taken some medicines behind the counter. It was the stuff you could make methamphetamine with. In its place they hang a picture of the item, but you still don't need a prescription for it. You just need to ask the pharmacist to get it for you. They are trying to stop people from buying too much at once. I'm not sure if they do this in Florida however.
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Old Oct 29th, 2008, 05:42 AM
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No you don't need an Rx for any of the items you mentioned.

The only items they put behind the pharmacy counter are allergy or cold medications with pseudoephedrine (not good for you anyway) which is used to make crystal meth.
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Old Oct 29th, 2008, 10:40 AM
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Hi,

Not in Florida for what you mention.

Do you need a prescription for these in Brazil?

Karin
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Old Oct 29th, 2008, 05:40 PM
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I’d like to thank you all. It’s not necessary a prescription for those medicines in Brazil neither, but, you know, when planning a trip with kids, especially abroad, you have to think of every single detail… Thanks again.
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Old Oct 29th, 2008, 09:39 PM
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There was a federal law passed, so apparently everyone has to show ID to buy pseudoephedrine, including Florida.

Also, 37 states have additional laws about buying it--Oregon requires a prescription from a doctor for pseudoephedrine products.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoephedrine
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Old Oct 29th, 2008, 09:40 PM
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PS where are you from in Brazil? My brother lived outside Sao Paulo and in Porto Alegre....
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Old Oct 30th, 2008, 02:47 PM
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Hi 5alive, thanks for your answer. I’m from Sao Paulo (city). By the way, have you ever been in SP with your brother? It’s a nice city, as well as Porto Alegre. You can find lots of information about SP at wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sao_paulo
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Old Oct 30th, 2008, 03:07 PM
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Hi MDF174,

Although the items you mentioned are all available over the counter, I recommend bringing the items with you. I travel with my kids quite a bit and carry a small ziploc bag with the items you mentioned plus bandaids and antibiotic ointment. I don't want to have to risk running out in the middle of the night to find an open drugstore or grocery store. Happy travels!
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Old Oct 31st, 2008, 01:22 PM
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Hi, MDF, no I did not make it down to Brazil although I did read up on Brazil on this board and the destinations section of this website.

Porto Alegre appealed to me more than SP--it was such a big city it seemed overwhelming. My brother showed me a lot of pictures of the area, and also of the monkeys outside his office window!

Regarding the medicines--definitely bring them but it would be best to bring them in their original packaging (even though it's Portuguese). My dad got told that when his luggage was handchecked.


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Old Oct 31st, 2008, 03:27 PM
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I would bring only a very few items with you. In every town in Florida, there will be a million pharamcies. You can buy these items in every grocery store as well. The items will most likely be cheaper in Florida as well. I would only bring the bare minimum like a tylenol/advil for the kids and maybe a simple cold medicine.
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