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I recently discovered some people are having trouble getting their legitimate, doctor-issued prescriptions for Oxycontin filled here in CR. Last April I connected with pharmacies here and at that time there was apparently no issue with obtaining this medication. Does anyone have any recent information on why there might be a lack of availability in CR? What are people who have a valid medical need for this medicine doing to obtain their prescribed supply? Why has the price risen so much? Why does this medication now costs more than 150% of the price last April?

Alot of heat on this drug in the US right now due to abuse. It's addictive and requires larger doses the more you use it. I took it after a minor surgery and it didn't do much for me so I don't get why it is being abused. But maybe the heat is making it harder to get outside of the US?

Here's from drug info source on the net:

"Oxycodone is considered to be a Schedule II controlled substance. This means that it is under the legal control of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the U.S. Department of Justice. One of the main factors dictating a drug's "schedule," its degree of regulation, is the drug's potential for abuse. Once a drug is classified as a controlled substance, it becomes subject to a formal system that requires registration, record keeping, distribution restrictions, dispensing limits, manufacturing security and reports to the DEA.

You may be wondering what makes OxyContin a controlled substance. In order to better understand this, let's consider what oxycodone does and how it works.

Oxycodone is an agonist opioid. Opioid agonists are some of the most effective pain relievers available. Unlike other analgesics, opioid agonists have an increasing analgesic effect with increased doses. Meaning that the more you take, the better you feel. Other analgesics, like aspirin or acetaminophen, have a threshold to their effectiveness. You can see why, particularly for people who suffer chronic pain, a medication like OxyContin can be so beneficial: It can potentially provide up to four times the relief of a non-opioid analgesic, so even the most severe degree of pain can be managed.

Once oxycodone enters the body, it works by stimulating certain opioid receptors that are located throughout the central nervous system, in the brain and along the spinal cord. When the oxycodone binds to the opioid receptors, a variety of physiologic responses can occur, ranging from pain relief to slowed breathing to euphoria.

­ When abused, OxyContin, like other opiates and opioids, can be dangerously addictive. Rather than ingesting the pill as indicated, people who abuse OxyContin use other methods of administering the drug. To avoid the controlled-release mechanism, they either chew, snort or inject the medication to get an instant and intense "high." Frequent and repeated use of the drug can cause the user to develop a tolerance to its effects, so larger doses are required to elicit the desired sensation and the abuser gets increasingly addicted to the drug."

Granted it has been awhile since I tried to fill my percoset script in CR, all they had close was oxe forte (codeine) and then I was offered Oxy about three years ago I passed as I just didn't want to chance that strong a drug.

I did end up with it in the states and it made me sick, I was better with Vicodin and dealing with part of the pain. I would use it sometimes for nighttime use since it has a 12 hour time release and it did allow a good sleep.

The U.S. has so much control in it I hate my government, I can get it just by asking the doc but am style cautious about it and pass.

So to answer your question you could three years ago with a $10 script fee but today I don't know. I do wish they had more similar drugs as the U.S. it is the only thing keeping me from moving right now.

I had a friend check on some of my script in CR and most they never heard of and I need them. Sucks being in limbo, I am retired and have enough money to make it but am stuck on this one topic. Oh well.

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LOL I would Love to never hear the word game used again ever again! :)

A few months ago, while in CR, I did some research on oxy for a friend, and 2 pharmacies told me its not available in CR, period - so who knows - I was told they don't sell it - it would seem your info is that its available, just expensive......

Just sharing what 2 pharmacias told me; one across from the Morazon Hotel, and the other Chinese owned near the hospital not too far from La Amistad

Are you saying they have it now?

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LOL I would Love to never hear the word game used again ever again! :)

I've been wanting to relocate to CR for years now but, just like Smelvis, I find myself in the same situation as far as prescribed medications is concerned. There was a time when I had to ingest 6 pills in the morning and 5 in the evening. These eleven pills did not include the 5 or 6 daily doses of generic Vicodin and the necessary dose of Ambien before bedtime so I could a decent amount of sleep.

One of the drivers I know is married to a Costa Rican Doctor and she informed me that Vicodin nor Ambien were available. If I wanted an OTC pain medication, the strongest one they had available was Motrin, which is really not as effective as Vicodin, Percocet, or Oxycontin, and as a terrible side effect, upsets the stomach and intestines to the pooint of causing bleeding and intense cramping.
Due to a heart condition, I require about 4 heart medications of which only one is available in CR.

Therefore, as much as I would love to move to CR, hookiing up with a nice novia, and enjoy living a less expensive and wonderful life, I find myself unable to do so just because I can't get the medications I need.

It really sucks !

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Respectfully,

Muff

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After the post that started this thread, I continued my research on OxyContin (OC) availability in CR and even enlisted help from a local pharmaceutical professional. Here are the findings so far:

1. OC is definitely available in CR intermittently. There is only one way it can get into the country legally. The agency responsible for ordering and distributing it is lax about planning for a continuous supply. I'm told they tend to allow the country to run out of it (who knows why?) before they re-order.

2. The cost of legitimate OC here is not aligned with a fair trade policy. In the US, the cost for legitimate prescription fills is 1/10th or less the street price, which hovers around $1 per mg on the average. In CR, the cost of prescribed OC is around 1/3 the street cost. These are admittedly rough numbers but in principle they hold up. I know someone who has recently spent nearly $800 for a one month supply (at 70 mg per day.) I've seen the receipt and sought comparison quotes from multiple sources. This is a subject ripe for some investigative reporting. I see a significant issue here. A large number of people are dependent on OC in CR and are paying very high prices that seem to bear no relation to wholesale costs. Conclude as you wish what the meaning of all this is. I have my own interpretation but I really only want to report facts and let everyone reach their own conclusions.

3. CR is presently not an environment where one can be assured of an uninterrupted, prescribed OC supply at any price. A few coping strategies could include ordering a couple weeks ahead and holding some reserve and knowing where to look for OC when it gets scarce. Sometimes people have to search for OC in CR. The one distributor that is connected with the government pipeline is more likely to have a supply that anyone else. Anyone taking OC regularly is physically dependent by definition. It would be prudent to be willing to accept an alternate opioid if necessary though consensus indicates nothing else comes close to the performance of OC. It does what it does better than anything else out there. That's why it has become the most popular and most abused opioid worldwide. The very best approach IMHO is to find some way to get OC out of one's life, if at all possible.

I've concluded if one is depending on OC regularly, though it is technically available in CR, they should take a hard look at whether they want to cope with all the issues associated with it.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I hope my contribution is helpful.

Thanks for the info guy's that helps, I really prefer oxy in thew 40 mg and at night only so as to sleep with out getting up to take vicodin and percs which I prefer. But oxy was all that was sold on my last trip I don't know the cost as I didn't buy any.

The only pain reliever above over the counter was Oxy Forty which is just codeine and man does that stuff do a number on your stomach. I also need Oxy once in awhile to give the liver a break I already do watch how much vicodin I take as it is.

Right now it is the only thing keeping me from trying to see if I like CR on a long term move.

The cash price in the states is highway robbery as well.

Anyway Thank You!

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LOL I would Love to never hear the word game used again ever again! :)

Ditto...
I can relate quite well to your situation as I would REALLY enjoy living in CR.
I know it would give me a financial advantage with much better weather conditions. And who knows, maybe a romatic adventure could develop in time which would definitely save me a bunch of $$$s in mongering expenses.
As far as some of the meds, I could probably get some help from the VA since I found out there is a program that does assist Vets in CR.
I got to really think this through....
Good luck to you Smelvis.

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Respectfully,

Muff

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Hey, Muff,

Two things.

One, if someone is sufficiently motivated to get off OC then the way to CR really clears up for them. Have you considered alternatives? A good clinical pharmacist on the team usually does a lot more for someone than an MD alone when it comes to pain management. There may be other stuff one can take for pain that will do the job without wrecking their liver with too much acetaminophen (Tylenol.)

Also, would you be willing to refer me to the VA program you mentioned? I'd like to check it out. I have insurance concerns. If I could access some of the VA benefits I have, that would go a long way toward helping me achieve a good medical insurance solution. It's a shame how much in medical benefits I have that stops at the U S border. Guys who retired with military pensions get full benefits here but my position is Level 5 and Non-service Connected. In the states I get total coverage for nothing but medicine copays but here in CR I get nada.

What do you think?

JR

I have purchased Ambien in CR before and I am certain it is readily available in brand name only. No generics yet.

good luck!!

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Voted San Jose's #1 Maripepino

Good for you finding a way to get it. I just went with the information she gave me plus the fact that I everey now and then give a dozen or so pills to a couple of bartender sweethearts from the SL. They tell me they can't find it. Apparently, if as you say it is available, it just must be too expensive for them to buy or they can't get a prescription for it. Fortunately, I have no problem supplying them with a few.
My co-pay for 30 pills every month is $5.00 plus I get 30 more pills for free from the VA. I feel like a drug dealer.

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Respectfully,

Muff

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I found the contact telephone number at the VA where I got a lot of information as to what type and level of coverage I would be able to get if I relocated to Costa Rica. The contact number can be found in the back of the latest VA Information Pamphlet, where it addresses "services for expatriots". It lists the countries where the VA will provide service as well as the level they will provide.
For example, there are two Hospitals in the San José area (Cima and Bíblica) which will take prompt care of service members, military retirees, and veterans with at least 30% service related disabillity.

Depending on which way you look at it, I suppose there is a benefit being 80% disabled as it offers me a faster and higher level of service from the VA. On the other hand, it's hell when you walk around with constant level 8 pain caused by Spinal Stenosis. For now, ingesting half a pill of Vicodin every two hours brings the pain down to about a bearable level 4.

Maybe I am being lazy about all the transactions I need to accomplish in order to relocate. And perhaps, and more than likely, having those two young grandaughters hanging on to your legs and hugging and kissing you every time you spend a few hours with them does make it difficult to make the decision. I'm 66 and at this age things are not necessarily the same as they were about 5 years ago when I could foresee many wonderful years living in a country where life can be so much easier and enjoyable. In my case, I particularly enjoy the weather the most. Second to that is the lower cost of living and naturally, the women with their beauty and their sweet attitude.

I must settle down and weigh all the pros and cons and make the right decision.

Get a hold of the VA Benefits Booklet and check the apprropriate chapter relating to Veteran Expatriots.
And good luck to you.

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Respectfully,

Muff

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Be very cautious with what the VA pamphlet says. CIMA & Biblica and now Hospital Metropolitano will accept Foreign Medical Program (FMP) but not Tricare. Hospital Catolica currently accepts Tricare but there are rumors that they are considering dropping out as both CIMA and Biblica did.

Although the hospitals do not accept Tricare some doctors will and off course you can pay the charges and then submit the necessary paperwork to Tricare for reimbursement.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Some sage advice from the OP.

One time my younger brother went to the Dentist for some minor work and the dentist wrote him a script for Oxy !!! Absolutely Fing Amazing.

Of course he did not fill it.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.