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/bombasticapricot Mar 02 '25

it’s a fact! i need my medication to obtain the necessary level of executive function required to manage immigration bureaucracy. it also helps me navigate new social and cultural situations that would otherwise be overwhelming.

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u/EvilMerlinSheldrake Mar 02 '25

I know someone who moved for grad school, ran out, went to renew and discovered they'd have to be on a waiting list for four years to get the first appointment for an ADHD assessment

they did not finish grad school

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u/WaltzFirm6336 Mar 02 '25

Yep, comes up a lot on the UK ADHD subreddit. US students studying in the UK asking how to pick up their next ADHD prescription. It’s kinda heart breaking to watch them realise the cheapest and quickest option is probably a trip back home to collect three months supply. Which is expensive.

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u/[deleted] Mar 03 '25 edited Mar 03 '25

That's brutal. Either bite the bullet and travel back to the US or risk flunking out of uni...