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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Buying Over-The-Counter Medication in Thailand – What Can You Buy?It is easy to buy certain medications over the counter at a pharmacy in Thailand, so much easier than in the US or UK, where just about every medication you need requires a prescription.In Thailand, buying medicine is also cheap (often less than 15% of what you pay in the US) and, even if they don’t have the brand you need, there are Thai brands you can buy that do the same thing. If you’re in Thailand or planning on coming soon, it would benefit you to stock up on any medications you might need while here. To help you along, here’s an idea of what you can buy at almost any Thai pharmacy.Antibiotics – Many antibiotics you have to get a doctor’s prescription for in the US are available over the counter in Thailand. Things like Penicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Bactrim and a whole host of other antibiotics are available over the counter. Also, even if you need an antibiotic that isn’t over the counter in Thailand, a quick (and very cheap!) visit to a doctor will get you a prescription.Every time my parents come to visit me in Bangkok, my mother stocks up on antibiotics she might need because, at less than $4 per packet, they’re worth having in the medicine cabinet. Of course, I am not a proponent of antibiotics, rarely taking them myself as I know what the health risks are, but, if you have taken them in the past or are taking them, you might as well buy them in Thailand.Birth Control – Birth control pills are available on the shelf at any pharmacist in Thailand. Starting at around a $3 for a month’s supply, if you take any birth control pills and are visiting Thailand, you’ll be able to get your brand here or a Thai brand that offers the same protection.Condoms too are available at pharmacies (as well as supermarket, 7-11s etc) but, be warned, many of my Western male friends say, because Thais are shorter in stature, penis size seems to also be relative. So, if you buy a medium in the west, you’re probably likely to need a large in Thailand. (Then again, my western friends could just be bragging, right?)Anti Depressants – Readily available over the counter, I have Thai friends who take them quite regularly when their stress levels increase because of work. Of course, you need to be careful with something like this, and really shouldn’t be self-medicating but, if you’ve had a prescription from a doctor and just need a refill, you can buy many brands of anti-depressant over the counter.Xanax is available, Valium, Ketamine, and Zyban (almost the same as Wellbutrin) as well as several other Thai brands.Ask the pharmacist if you’re not sure about a particular brand. In most of the larger pharmacies, the pharmacist will speak enough English to be able to help you and most of them really know their stuff. They will also tell you
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