Anti-Histamines

[Piffle]

I have three quick questions relating to my general health and well-being when I arrive in Taiwan. I've learnt I may well need to get my hands on anti-histamines and I may need to take them very often.
Is it possible to get these over-the-counter in Taiwan, or not? Is anyone aware of any dangers if I have to take these daily? Any idea how much it costs for X no. of pills?

[Toasty]

You have to buy them from a pharmacist, though you simply ask for them and they give them to you. They aren't, however, out on shelves with the cold meds. Also, they aren't sold under the same trade names here, so you are going to have to ask for them by chemical name. Claritin, for example, is sold generically. Its chemical name is Loratadine. If you write that on a paper and hand it to any local pharmacist, s/he will hook you up immediately (and cheaply, too). Allegra (Fexofenadine), over the counter in the west, is a controlled substance in Taiwan and is only available through specialist doctors in hospitals.

Price-wise, the Loratadine is roughly 100nt (about 3 USD and change) for a dozen tablets. Allegra, if you go to a hospital that offers it and have NHI, is about a biweekly supply for 150nt.

So, best advice is, if there are specific brands that are effective for you, make a note of their chemical names before coming here. Also, watch and compare the dosage. Sometimes, it's much lower. The local doc gave me 60mg tablets of fexofenadine, when 120mg are sold OTC in my home country. Sometimes, they are a bit wussy here with that sort of thing. Perhaps locals are more sensitive to these kinds of meds. But make a note of your current dosage, and take the appropriate number of pills here to reach it.

[the bear]

You have to buy them from a pharmacist, though you simply ask for them and they give them to you. They aren't, however, out on shelves with the cold meds. Also, they aren't sold under the same trade names here, so you are going to have to ask for them by chemical name. Claritin, for example, is sold generically. Its chemical name is Loratadine. If you write that on a paper and hand it to any local pharmacist, s/he will hook you up immediately (and cheaply, too). Allegra (Fexofenadine), over the counter in the west, is a controlled substance in Taiwan and is only available through specialist doctors in hospitals.

Price-wise, the Loratadine is roughly 100nt (about 3 USD and change) for a dozen tablets. Allegra, if you go to a hospital that offers it and have NHI, is about a biweekly supply for 150nt.

So, best advice is, if there are specific brands that are effective for you, make a note of their chemical names before coming here. Also, watch and compare the dosage. Sometimes, it's much lower. The local doc gave me 60mg tablets of fexofenadine, when 120mg are sold OTC in my home country. Sometimes, they are a bit wussy here with that sort of thing. Perhaps locals are more sensitive to these kinds of meds. But make a note of your current dosage, and take the appropriate number of pills here to reach it.

Allegra is OTC here. I use it and it is widely available (ie even the chemist attached to City Super has it). Be careful though....if you're a guy they'll think you're saying Viagra....

[Toasty]

You have to buy them from a pharmacist, though you simply ask for them and they give them to you. They aren't, however, out on shelves with the cold meds. Also, they aren't sold under the same trade names here, so you are going to have to ask for them by chemical name. Claritin, for example, is sold generically. Its chemical name is Loratadine. If you write that on a paper and hand it to any local pharmacist, s/he will hook you up immediately (and cheaply, too). Allegra (Fexofenadine), over the counter in the west, is a controlled substance in Taiwan and is only available through specialist doctors in hospitals.

Price-wise, the Loratadine is roughly 100nt (about 3 USD and change) for a dozen tablets. Allegra, if you go to a hospital that offers it and have NHI, is about a biweekly supply for 150nt.

So, best advice is, if there are specific brands that are effective for you, make a note of their chemical names before coming here. Also, watch and compare the dosage. Sometimes, it's much lower. The local doc gave me 60mg tablets of fexofenadine, when 120mg are sold OTC in my home country. Sometimes, they are a bit wussy here with that sort of thing. Perhaps locals are more sensitive to these kinds of meds. But make a note of your current dosage, and take the appropriate number of pills here to reach it.

Allegra is OTC here. I use it and it is widely available (ie even the chemist attached to City Super has it). Be careful though....if you're a guy they'll think you're saying Viagra....

I've been getting mine from a hospital as I haven't been able to find it in pharmacies in my area. The doctor told me it was controlled and not OTC in Taiwan. He could have been full of it, though.

[bigmoose]

BUY CHLORPHENIRAMINE MALEATE 2.5 MG TABS OTC 1000 TABS LESS THAN 500 NT.
LOOK IT UP IN THE DRUG BOOK IN THE PHARMACY U GO TO.
ALSO WORKS WELL FOR DOGS.

[the bear]

You have to buy them from a pharmacist, though you simply ask for them and they give them to you. They aren't, however, out on shelves with the cold meds. Also, they aren't sold under the same trade names here, so you are going to have to ask for them by chemical name. Claritin, for example, is sold generically. Its chemical name is Loratadine. If you write that on a paper and hand it to any local pharmacist, s/he will hook you up immediately (and cheaply, too). Allegra (Fexofenadine), over the counter in the west, is a controlled substance in Taiwan and is only available through specialist doctors in hospitals.

Price-wise, the Loratadine is roughly 100nt (about 3 USD and change) for a dozen tablets. Allegra, if you go to a hospital that offers it and have NHI, is about a biweekly supply for 150nt.

So, best advice is, if there are specific brands that are effective for you, make a note of their chemical names before coming here. Also, watch and compare the dosage. Sometimes, it's much lower. The local doc gave me 60mg tablets of fexofenadine, when 120mg are sold OTC in my home country. Sometimes, they are a bit wussy here with that sort of thing. Perhaps locals are more sensitive to these kinds of meds. But make a note of your current dosage, and take the appropriate number of pills here to reach it.

Allegra is OTC here. I use it and it is widely available (ie even the chemist attached to City Super has it). Be careful though....if you're a guy they'll think you're saying Viagra....

I've been getting mine from a hospital as I haven't been able to find it in pharmacies in my area. The doctor told me it was controlled and not OTC in Taiwan. He could have been full of it, though.

Officially it might be controlled but this is Taiwan after all. I've managed to buy it from at least 5 different pharmacies including one down here in Hsinchu. Likewise even the steroid containing nasal sprays are carried by some pharmacies. Hell my corner drug store used to sell me tincture of opium back in the day.

[Toasty]

You have to buy them from a pharmacist, though you simply ask for them and they give them to you. They aren't, however, out on shelves with the cold meds. Also, they aren't sold under the same trade names here, so you are going to have to ask for them by chemical name. Claritin, for example, is sold generically. Its chemical name is Loratadine. If you write that on a paper and hand it to any local pharmacist, s/he will hook you up immediately (and cheaply, too). Allegra (Fexofenadine), over the counter in the west, is a controlled substance in Taiwan and is only available through specialist doctors in hospitals.

Price-wise, the Loratadine is roughly 100nt (about 3 USD and change) for a dozen tablets. Allegra, if you go to a hospital that offers it and have NHI, is about a biweekly supply for 150nt.

So, best advice is, if there are specific brands that are effective for you, make a note of their chemical names before coming here. Also, watch and compare the dosage. Sometimes, it's much lower. The local doc gave me 60mg tablets of fexofenadine, when 120mg are sold OTC in my home country. Sometimes, they are a bit wussy here with that sort of thing. Perhaps locals are more sensitive to these kinds of meds. But make a note of your current dosage, and take the appropriate number of pills here to reach it.

Allegra is OTC here. I use it and it is widely available (ie even the chemist attached to City Super has it). Be careful though....if you're a guy they'll think you're saying Viagra....

I've been getting mine from a hospital as I haven't been able to find it in pharmacies in my area. The doctor told me it was controlled and not OTC in Taiwan. He could have been full of it, though.

Officially it might be controlled but this is Taiwan after all. I've managed to buy it from at least 5 different pharmacies including one down here in Xinzhu. Likewise even the steroid containing nasal sprays are carried by some pharmacies. Hell my corner drug store used to sell me tincture of opium back in the day.

Could you tell me which pharmacies in Xinzhu carry it?

[Piffle]

Thanks for all the help. I've never taken them before and I don't have a reaction so severe I might die, so I think the lowest dosage should be enough to deal with my allergy.

Allegra is OTC here. I use it and it is widely available (ie even the chemist attached to City Super has it). Be careful though....if you're a guy they'll think you're saying Viagra....

No penis: no problem.

[Typhun]

I can confirm Allegra is commonly available OTC at most pharmacies in Taipei as well. Iiirc, it's about NT$6 per pill for the 12-hour dose.

Clarinase is another common choice OTC, but I found Allegra more effective personally.

[the bear]

You have to buy them from a pharmacist, though you simply ask for them and they give them to you. They aren't, however, out on shelves with the cold meds. Also, they aren't sold under the same trade names here, so you are going to have to ask for them by chemical name. Claritin, for example, is sold generically. Its chemical name is Loratadine. If you write that on a paper and hand it to any local pharmacist, s/he will hook you up immediately (and cheaply, too). Allegra (Fexofenadine), over the counter in the west, is a controlled substance in Taiwan and is only available through specialist doctors in hospitals.

Price-wise, the Loratadine is roughly 100nt (about 3 USD and change) for a dozen tablets. Allegra, if you go to a hospital that offers it and have NHI, is about a biweekly supply for 150nt.

So, best advice is, if there are specific brands that are effective for you, make a note of their chemical names before coming here. Also, watch and compare the dosage. Sometimes, it's much lower. The local doc gave me 60mg tablets of fexofenadine, when 120mg are sold OTC in my home country. Sometimes, they are a bit wussy here with that sort of thing. Perhaps locals are more sensitive to these kinds of meds. But make a note of your current dosage, and take the appropriate number of pills here to reach it.

Allegra is OTC here. I use it and it is widely available (ie even the chemist attached to City Super has it). Be careful though....if you're a guy they'll think you're saying Viagra....

I've been getting mine from a hospital as I haven't been able to find it in pharmacies in my area. The doctor told me it was controlled and not OTC in Taiwan. He could have been full of it, though.

Officially it might be controlled but this is Taiwan after all. I've managed to buy it from at least 5 different pharmacies including one down here in Xinzhu. Likewise even the steroid containing nasal sprays are carried by some pharmacies. Hell my corner drug store used to sell me tincture of opium back in the day.

Could you tell me which pharmacies in Xinzhu carry it?

The one over the road and down a bit from the main gates of Tsinghua University. I think there's 2 drug stores together but its one of them.