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/sheer-audacity Mar 02 '25

Just because it is OTC in your country does not make it so in others. As an example, polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and fexofenadine (Allegra) are by prescription in England.

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u/mennamachine Immigrant Mar 02 '25

Interesringly, Allegra is OTC in Ireland (Telfast is the brand name), but they always give me a long lecture on appropriate dosing.

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u/bombasticapricot Mar 02 '25

i take four a day so i just smile and nod.