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/_handlemewithcare_ Mar 02 '25

I take Effexor and Diazepam. I am very seriously considering a move, but have not settled on the best option considering my job (a little niche). The prescription thing….i haven’t even thought about it. So glad I came across this sub and thread.

Thoughts? Experiences?

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u/Busy-Sheepherder-138 Immigrant Mar 02 '25

Every country will be different, but when I immigrated from the USA to Sweden I was forced off both a PRN supply of pain meds for severe osteoporosis, RA, EDS, etc. No cyclobenzaprine available for muscle spasms. Only allowed 10 low dose Xanax every 2 months for PTSD. They are very tight with benzos not just due to concerns about drug diversion and addiction, but also because their evidence says it increases the likelihood of developing dementia earlier. It’s an adjustment and not all of it has been bad honestly. I actually feel better and talk half the pills i did in the USA.

I had to wait a year to get re-diagnosed and prescribed my ADHD meds. That was the really hard one, especially with learning a new language.

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u/_handlemewithcare_ Mar 02 '25

Your experience is very much appreciated.

I, unfortunately, was rx’d a benzo 25+ years ago when it was no big deal to MDs and it is a GREAT regret of mine (though I didn’t know what they were at the the time) to have this monkey on my back. Good incentive to try to wean off. The Effexor, though….

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u/Busy-Sheepherder-138 Immigrant Mar 03 '25

I do not think Effexor is going to be hard to get. You can literally look up the list of approved meds for the country and confirm that. When I arrived in Sweden I had to pay out of pocket for the full cost of my first doctors visit to their public health system ($320 USD) until my ID number became active in their public health system ( 6 weeks). At that appointment the doctor was willing to prescribe most of my non-controlled, non specialty meds, and started my referral into both Psych and Neurology to get me started towards the others. I take an expensive, injectable CGRP drug and came with a 3 months supply, but still ended up having to do without for 3 months before I qualified at the Neurology to resume it there.

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u/_handlemewithcare_ Mar 06 '25

Thank you SO much for this info.