Job Discussion Forums

[Hasna]

I was wondering if Adderall, Seroquel, and Topamax are available in Vietnam (Saigon specifically). I've had no issues in other countries I've lived in, and so I was hoping I would be able to continue my prescriptions here as well. (I don't have a doctor's prescription, however.. I did, but that was back in Canada years ago... I've been buying over-the-counter since then.)

Generic brand substitutes are ok, I've taken them, but not "Oh X drug is almost the same, you should try that...". When you find a combination that works, it's golden.

So, anyone know if they're available here, or what their local names are? Should I make a trip to Thailand/Cambodia? (Will bringing it across the border be an issue?)

Thanks all!

[tonyjones01]

A few months ago I checked three or four local pharmacies for Adderall, Strattera, and Vyvanse with no luck. I'm sure if you go to an International doctor you can get a prescription to take to a 'real' pharmacy.

Maybe someone else has had better luck.

[toiyeuthitmeo]

Requiring medications such as those, I assume you are too "hot" and therefore I prescribe a careful regimen of "cold" food and drinks, such as bitter melon soup, beans and root vegetables. Should that fail, pay someone to painfully rub the edge of a coin up and down your skin, and call me in the morning.

A jest, but in actuality the prevalence of tradional Vietnamese medicine probably in part explains why drugs for mental well-being are hard to come by here. A sizable segment of the country would much sooner alter their diets, seek suction and coin massage, throw back special rice liquor, and make special offerings than take a pill for mental stress or disorders.

The reality is that the Western-style pharmaceutical needs of the country are still dominated by a host of physical maladies-- bacterial infections, food-born illness, resperitory illness, communicable diseases, malnutrition, etc-- that are viewed as more pressing concerns than mental illness or mental disorders. In line with this, a system of psychiatric diagnoses and treatment has yet to develop, as well as distribution of drugs.

It's also a cultural thing-- there would be more of an attitude amongst the Vietnamese to just "suck it up and get back to work" in response to attention defecit, depression or anxiety disorders, or even more possibly disturbing, complete misunderstanding and ortacization of those affected.
Counseling-type services, however, with psychologists even, are becoming more available and popular.

Sorry, does not tell you where to find 'em, but at least gives some insight as to why you'll have trouble finding 'em.