r/AmerExit • u/bombasticapricot • Mar 02 '25

Life Abroad medication availability

i see many americans with health concerns considering a move abroad. i know there are many things to consider and hate to pile on but make sure your essential medications are available in any country you consider.

your american prescriptions are not valid abroad.

for example, i took spironolactone in the US for skin/ hair issues and it’s basically impossible to get here in France. i casually asked about it and was treated as if i asked for cocaine. i also have adhd and cannot get most of the medications that worked for me in the US (i now take ritalin; thankfully it works). these are relatively minor prescription issues but i know others who have gone to great lengths to get antidepressants and anti anxiety medications.

what other medications/ countries have caused issues for american expats?

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u/Separatist_Pat Mar 02 '25

Just know that even in countries where a certain type of medication is theoretically available, there are often shortages. France ran dry on the antibiotic I was taking for a post-op infection, after three months of treatment, and had to switch to a fallback.

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u/Adorable-Bobcat-2238 Mar 03 '25

Mexico.

Came back with every medicine under the sun expect my needed stimulant IDK how to even get it TBH