Medicines in Thailand: How to Find Pharmacies and Analogues of Medicines
What to do if you get sick in Phuket: tips for finding medicines and pharmacies
When going on holiday, no one plans to get sick. Of course, it is useful to take a first aid kit with you, but it is impossible to foresee everything. Tourists often ask the question: "Is it possible to find an analogue of my medicine in Phuket and how to identify it?"
If you feel unwell, first assess your condition. If the situation is in doubt, it is better to immediately contact a local hospital. Considering the cost of medical services in Phuket, we always recommend getting insurance. You can read more about this in the article "Medical insurance for Thailand".
How to find a pharmacy in Phuket
There are many pharmacies on the island, where a pharmacist is always on duty. They usually speak English well, but if the language becomes a barrier, use an online translator. Pharmacies are marked with a sign Pharmacy , and sometimes with a translation into Thai, Chinese or even Russian.
If there is no pharmacy within walking distance, ask at the hotel reception: “Where is Pharmacy?” or type the word Pharmacy into a map app to get directions. In popular areas, you can also order medications through the Food Panda or Grab Food apps - this is convenient for simple medications such as paracetamol or activated charcoal.
Among the popular pharmacy chains in Phuket, Grace Pharmacy stands out, offering a wide range of medicines.
How to buy the right medicine
To buy the necessary product, use a simple life hack: find the name of the active ingredient of your drug on the Internet (usually it is indicated on the package). Write it down and show it to the pharmacist. He will offer a suitable analogue.
It is important to clarify who the drug is for - an adult or a child. For example:
- Antipyretic - paracetamol or ibuprofen .
Remember: in Thailand, when you have the Dengue virus, you should only bring down your temperature with paracetamol, as ibuprofen can cause complications.
If you have a chronic illness or take prescription medications on a regular basis, be sure to bring enough of them with you, and also bring a prescription from your doctor. This will help avoid problems at customs.
Analogues of medicines in Thailand
If you need medication in Phuket, it is important to know what drugs can be found in local pharmacies. Below is a list of popular analogues of familiar drugs that are available in Thailand.
Antipyretic drugs
-
Based on paracetamol : Decolgen, Sara, Paramed, Panadol (including children's syrup), Tylenol.
Paracetamol is a safe and affordable medicine that can be used without consulting a doctor. If you take ibuprofen, be sure to get tested for dengue fever. - Based on ibuprofen : Ambufen, Ibumax, Nurofen.
Sore throat medicines
- Lozenges: Cepacol, Difflam/Difflam Forte, Lobacin, Strepsils, Trocacin, Throatsil.
- Sprays and rinses: Kamillosan M, Difflam.
- To gargle, you can use regular baking soda, which is sold at 7-Eleven.
Remedies for a runny nose
- Sprays: Nasol, Tetryzoline Hydrochloride, Otrivin.
- Sulidine
Cough medicines
- For the treatment of asthma and severe cough: Procaterol, Salbuterol (analog of Ventolin).
- Mucolytics: Bisolvon (analogue of Bromhexine), Simusol/Mucosolvan (analogue of Lazolvan).
- Herbal syrups: Herbal Yoki Syrup.
Antiviral and anti-cold products
- Folk remedy: Fa Talay Jon (sold in supermarkets and pharmacies)
- Decolgen, Tiffy Dey (analogue of Fervex)
- Apracur (analogue of Teraflu)
- Sara (paracetamol)
Medicines for ear infections
- Ear drops: SM Oto, Archifen, Otipax.
Remedies for eye infections
- Ointments and drops: Tobramycin, Tobrex, Opsar.
Moisturizing eye drops
- Natear, Diquas, OcuFresh (analogues of Natural Tear)
Medicines for poisoning
- Potassium permanganate: Potassium Permanganate.
- Activated carbon: Deltacarbon, Ca-r-bon charcoal
- Folk remedy: Flying Rabbit.
- Oreda (analogue of Regidron)
- Smecta and Smecta Go (analogue of Smecta)
- Desento (analogue of Furazolidone)
Medicines for heartburn
- Maalox, Gaviscon, Antacil.
Probiotics
- Infloran, Bioflor.
Laxatives
- Forlax (analogue of Forlax)
- Agiolax, Duphalac, Hepalac (analogues of Duphalac)
- Sennahof, Senokot. Senna (analogues of Senade)
- Glycerin and Glymorin (glycerin suppositories)
- Also available in supermarkets are teas and coffees for weight loss, for example, Fitne (be careful with the ingredients).
Digestive aids
- Pancreatin (analogue of Mezim)
- Combizym
- Creon (analogue of Creon)
Medicines for hemorrhoids
- Docproct (analogue of Ultraproct)
- Daflon (analogues of Detralex, Phlebodia, Venarus)
Antihistamines (for allergies)
- Cetihis, Telfast, Zyrtec.
Insect bite remedies
- Fenistil (analogue of Fenistil)
- Systral
- Calamine (also used for chicken pox)
Antiparasitic agents
It is necessary to pass tests before use, an extensive list of side effects when used without indications
- Fugacar and Mebendazole (analogue of Vermox)
- Alben
Burn medications
- Dexpanthenol, Bepanthen, Mebo, Esperson.
Antiseptics and wound healing agents
- Antiseptics: C20 (analogue of Chlorhexidine), Hydrogen Peroxide (hydrogen peroxide), Alcohol (medical alcohol), Betadine (iodine), Pises Powder (streptocide).
- Wound healing agents: Banocin (powder), Dettol Antiseptic Cream.
Remedies for bruises and sprains
- Tiger Balm (different types: cooling white or warming red), Neotica Balm.
Painkillers
- For spasms: Drotaverine (analog of No-shpa), Buscopan.
- For pain: Ponstan 500, Diclofenac.
Migraine medications
- Immigration, Avamigran, Relpax
Antifungal agents
- Clotrimazole, Canasone
Cardiovascular system products
- There are no analogues of Corvalol and Valocordin in Thailand. In case of heart attacks, go to the hospital immediately.
Sedatives and hypnotics
- Valian-x (valerian), Valium, Diazepam
Contraceptives
- Yasmin, Yaz (analogue of Jess)
Herpes remedies
- Ociclovir, Mar Vir, Cream Payayor
Remedies for thrush
- Diflucan, Vagicin, Candinox
Medicines for cystitis
- Nitrofurantoin, Furamag
Hepatoprotectors (liver-protecting agents)
- Livolin Forte (analogues of Essentiale Forte, Resolute Pro, Essliver Forte)
- Livotone, Samarin, Legalon, Silymarin (analogues of Similar, Legalon, Karsil)
Important note
Antibiotics in Thailand are available only with a doctor's prescription. Using them without a prescription can be dangerous. Amoxicillin is available over the counter, but we strongly recommend that you consult a doctor to avoid the consequences of using them without indications. If you or your child feel a serious deterioration in their condition, go to the hospital immediately.
Almost all hospitals in Phuket have Russian-speaking translators who will help you in case of a language barrier.
