BajaNomad

Prescription Costs

Janzie - 9-16-2015 at 09:02 AM

just wondering how prescription drug costs are at the pharmacies in Mulegé and environs? Thinking of blood pressure, warfarin and gout meds specifically.

4Cata - 9-16-2015 at 09:18 AM

janzie, curious what you take for gout. I depend on cherries and an herbal product GoutCure, which I order online.

SFandH - 9-16-2015 at 09:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Janzie  
just wondering how prescription drug costs are at the pharmacies in Mulegé and environs? Thinking of blood pressure, warfarin and gout meds specifically.


I buy some of what your looking for occasionally at the Mulege pharmacy across from what was Scotty's restaurant. Near the main intersection in town. Well stocked store. Cost? Cheaper than the US.

In response to the gout question:

Colchicine is the classic medication for pain relief of an acute gout attack. I always carry some and have bought it at several different Mexican pharmacies. It's cheap.

But, you need to be real careful with the stuff, it's toxic. You take a course of it and then wait, maybe 12 - 24 hours for the pain to disappear. At least that is how it works for me. I follow a dosage plan that was defined for me by a doctor. If you take too much you will get BAD diarrhea (6 mg in one day is my limit).

It's made from the crocus flower. I've read the ancient Greeks used to make a tea from the flower to treat gout.

The following link explains how to take it, it matches my Doc's Rx. It's wonderful stuff, it really works but be careful.

http://www.rxlist.com/colchicine-drug/indications-dosage.htm



[Edited on 9-16-2015 by SFandH]

weebray - 9-16-2015 at 04:33 PM

Just bought Coumadin yesterday. Thirty tabs 5mg. cost 19 bucks. BTW 250 ml of lime or lemon juice daily has resulted in no gout attacks in 8 mo. since starting. It's tough to take that much, I mix it with a little Topo Chico (the best soda water I've ever tasted) to get it down. Take half in the AM and half in the PM. No-you cannot add sugar or honey to make it palatable. Works out to about 20 lemons or "sin semilla" limes. The big ones. I used to take colchicine but hated the stuff. You have to take enough to make you nauseous then hold on while it works on you. (hole up near a toilet) You may want to try the lemon/lime alternative.

Bajahowodd - 9-16-2015 at 04:57 PM

Just wondering where you may be coming from, or if you are a local.

In my experience, the prescription drugs are least expensive at place like WalMart, Costco, or the big Mexican super market chains, none of which are close to Mulege.

Not to mention that their quality is backed by national or international companies. I stopped buying drugs in local farmacias years ago. I know that I am dissing the small merchant, but my health and well being means more to me.

AKgringo - 9-16-2015 at 05:05 PM

Weebray, Is the generic equivalent (warfarin sp?) available? My co-pay at Costco for 30, 7.5 mg tablets was $8. The pharmacist pointed out that a hundred count bottle over the counter was less than three months co-pay.

I changed from warfarin to Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) with no dietary restrictions, no monthly blood draws, and no problems.

Edit I know there is no Costco or Walmart there, using generic was my point.

[Edited on 9-17-2015 by AKgringo]

SFandH - 9-16-2015 at 05:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Just wondering where you may be coming from, or if you are a local.

In my experience, the prescription drugs are least expensive at place like WalMart, Costco, or the big Mexican super market chains, none of which are close to Mulege.



That's true. I also think it's true that prices differ quite a bit from one pharmacy to the next, large or small. I always pay less than the sticker price on the bottle.

I have a favorite TJ pharmacy and I stock up there before going to Mulege for the winter. But I have bought meds in Mulege and I recommend the store I mentioned above. But there are several and shopping around might be a good idea.

BajaBlanca - 9-16-2015 at 11:07 PM

for gout, can't you simply not eat meat? that is my strategy.

weebray - 9-17-2015 at 09:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
for gout, can't you simply not eat meat? that is my strategy.


Everything in moderation Blanca, that 's my solution. That being said there are certain meats I do stay away from, beer and rum too. Lime/lemon juice seems to help a lot tho. Makes sense because it lowers the acidy of your blood dramatically.
On the other question of the cost of drugs; if you are getting your drugs in the US and the cost is primarily born by an insurance company or the gov't. then it should be obvious that your subsidized drugs are going to be cheaper there. Duh!
Also, I have been unable to find a substitute for Coumadin here.

larryC - 9-17-2015 at 10:44 AM

I used to suffer from gout, and my doctor put me on allopurinol, one tablet daily. No more gout attacks. Before I took allopurinol if I had a gout attack my doctors recommended indomethacin which is a anti inflammatory. YMMV

bajabuddha - 9-17-2015 at 11:35 AM

The farmacia across from Scotty's is run by Don Diego and his wife; they're wonderful folks, both of 'em. Both speak a leeeetle English (but they made me practice my Spanish) and can special-order almost anything you need if they don't have it in stock... only takes a couple of days. Also, if you're a Mulegé resident and they get to know you, they'll give you a discount on the price. Diego gave me his personal telephone # in case I needed something important after hours. You can get most meds there.

bajagrouper - 9-17-2015 at 02:08 PM

For gout I use Allopurinol 300MG and I purchase at Mega @ 12 Pesos for 30 day supply........no attack in 3 years.

weebray - 9-17-2015 at 05:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajagrouper  
For gout I use Allopurinol 300MG and I purchase at Mega @ 12 Pesos for 30 day supply........no attack in 3 years.


I have considered it but it comes with a warning that while it prevents frequent attacks, when you do have one, it will be much more severe. Furthermore they warn that it may trigger a severe attack when you first start a regime. If my lime solution fails I will try allopurinol.

SFandH - 9-17-2015 at 07:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by weebray  
Quote: Originally posted by bajagrouper  
For gout I use Allopurinol 300MG and I purchase at Mega @ 12 Pesos for 30 day supply........no attack in 3 years.


I have considered it but it comes with a warning that while it prevents frequent attacks, when you do have one, it will be much more severe. Furthermore they warn that it may trigger a severe attack when you first start a regime. If my lime solution fails I will try allopurinol.


My doc prescribed allopurinol but took me off of it when a subsequent blood test indicated it was damaging my liver. Careful.

"Allopurinol is a rare but well known cause of acute liver injury that has features of a hypersensitivity reaction and can be severe and even fatal."

http://livertox.nih.gov/Allopurinol.htm

bajabuddha - 9-17-2015 at 09:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Janzie  
just wondering how prescription drug costs are at the pharmacies in Mulegé and environs? Thinking of blood pressure, warfarin and gout meds specifically.


Nomania strikes again! Gone from drug costs and Mulegé farmacias to Toelio and Kneasles....

.... next will be Smallcox and Dicktherea (but I kinda Gout it) ! :lol:

Tioloco - 9-17-2015 at 09:32 PM

Surprised no talk of small blue pills! Jajaja

bajabuddha - 9-18-2015 at 08:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Surprised no talk of small blue pills! Jajaja


Don't ever mix Viagra and Rogaine.... you'll end up looking like Don King. :no:

SFandH - 9-18-2015 at 03:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  


Nomania strikes again! Gone from drug costs and Mulegé farmacias to Toelio and Kneasles....

.... next will be Smallcox and Dicktherea (but I kinda Gout it) ! :lol:


Come on bajabuddha, the first post and the second post both mentioned gout and the second post specifically asked about treatment. Gout sufferers through the ages have shared an extremely painful malady that comes on quickly out of the blue, usually while you're asleep, and ruins the next day or two or more. Talking about remedies is a good thing.

[Edited on 9-18-2015 by SFandH]

AKgringo - 9-18-2015 at 03:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  


Nomania strikes again! Gone from drug costs and Mulegé farmacias to Toelio and Kneasles....

.... next will be Smallcox and Dicktherea (but I kinda Gout it) ! :lol:


Come on bajabuddha, the first post and the second post both mentioned gout and the second post specifically asked about treatment. Gout sufferers through the ages have shared an extremely painful malady that comes on quickly out of the blue, usually while you're asleep, and ruins the next day or two or more. Talking about remedies is a good thing.

[Edited on 9-18-2015 by SFandH]



Give Buddha a little slack, he can't help it, venting on others is a symptom of Smallcox!

(sorry Buddha, but I couldn't pass up an easy shot!)

bajabuddha - 9-18-2015 at 03:56 PM

SF&H, I take it the "H" doesn't stand for 'humor'. Whazzamatta, got gout in your funnybone? :P

BTW, I've had gout a few times, got rid of it every time but the first.

SFandH - 9-18-2015 at 04:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  
SF&H, I take it the "H" doesn't stand for 'humor'.


Actually, the H stands for "handsome". :cool:

You can guess at the others. Some here know.

bajabuddha - 9-19-2015 at 09:32 AM

Smart, Funny and Handsome. Got it now. :smug: