WCIF Allergist or Allergy medication?

[PapaAzucar]

Does anyone know of an allergy specialist doctor, and not the Chinese herbal medicine traditionalist (which others keep referring me to).
I'm also looking for what are over-the-counter medications (without prescriptions) in the US like Zytec, Claritin or Allegra.
Anyone know where to find those medications?

Thanks.

Edit: Sorry to cross-post this, but I am sort of in desperate need.
https://forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=94846&p=1416338#p1416338

[the bear]

Does anyone know of an allergy specialist doctor, and not the Chinese herbal medicine traditionalist (which others keep referring me to).
I'm also looking for what are over-the-counter medications (without prescriptions) in the US like Zytec, Claritin or Allegra.
Anyone know where to find those medications?

Thanks.

Edit: Sorry to cross-post this, but I am sort of in desperate need.
https://forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=94846&p=1416338#p1416338

You can get Allegra at most big pharmacies. (I got some yesterday in Hsinchu). Anywhere there's a hospital in Taiwan there'll be dispensing pharmacies in the vicinity. Write down Allegra on a piece of paper. If you say it they'll think you mean Viagra . Otherwise point to your nose and say "bizi guoming". Right now allergies are hitting hard because of the rapid weather changes.

oh if you're in Taipei head to the City Super in the basement of the big green Sogo (Zhongxiao/Fuxing). They deffo have Allegra there, 100 a strip max.

[Icon]

If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hangzhou Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.

However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month.

[PapaAzucar]

oh if you're in Taipei head to the City Super in the basement of the big green Sogo (Zhongxiao/Fuxing). They deffo have Allegra there, 100 a strip max.

If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hangzhou Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.

However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month.

Yes and Thanks! I am in Taipei. Do you need a prescription or show them the National Insurance card to buy Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin?
I don't have a card yet.
Even if I do have a card, I don't know if I have time to go see a doctor...maybe one of the family practitioners that stay open till 9pm. That is one thing about Taiwan over the US is that the doctors and dentists offices stay open late.

[the bear]

oh if you're in Taipei head to the City Super in the basement of the big green Sogo (Zhongxiao/Fuxing). They deffo have Allegra there, 100 a strip max.

If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hangzhou Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.

However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month.

Yes and Thanks! I am in Taipei. Do you need a prescription or show them the National Insurance card to buy Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin?
I don't have a card yet.
Even if I do have a card, I don't know if I have time to go see a doctor...maybe one of the family practitioners that stay open till 9pm. That is one thing about Taiwan over the US is that the doctors and dentists offices stay open late.

Nah its all OTC. Buy at least 3 strips so you don't run out.

[Icon]

3 strips? We buy 3 boxes on one trip.

PapaAzucar, then wait until you have the NHI to go to the hospital/doctor. Normal visit to a doctor with NHI is 150nts, average. Without? Over 600nts.

Take into consideration that the doctor may prescribe a generic of the same medication -the generic for Zyrtec, for instance.

[Icon]

If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hengyang Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.

However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month.

EDIT: address: 衡陽路32號 / Héngyáng Lù 32 Hào / Hengyang Rd., No. 32
Take Zhonghe Line to National Taiwan University Hospital Station, cross 228 park towards Hengyang road.

[PapaAzucar]

EDIT: address: 衡陽路32號 / Héngyáng Lù 32 Hào / Hengyang Rd., No. 32
Take Zhonghe Line to National Taiwan University Hospital Station, cross 228 park towards Hengyang road.

Thanks Icon!!!

I finally had the chance to stop by this pharmacy. The English sign said something like Viceroy (???), and not Shanghai Pharmacy, but I found it based on the address No. 32 Hengyang Rd.
It has about 90% of the stuff that I get from the US, but cheaper.
Boy...how the drug industry is raping the US consumers.

What are normally prescription medicine in the US can be bought without a prescription here, which is pretty interesting.
I'm not sure how well this system would translate in the US--maybe drive down the health care costs?
Heaven forbid that US have affordable health care...

[Mucha Man]

I need to go for all the tests when I get back. Any hospital or doctor recommendations and do I need to see a GP first for a referral to an allergist or just ask to see one when I register?

[kau826]

I need to go for all the tests when I get back. Any hospital or doctor recommendations and do I need to see a GP first for a referral to an allergist or just ask to see one when I register?

I'm based in central Taiwan, so Taichung Veterans General Hospital (VGH) is my recommendation. Basically any hospital with outpatient clinics of allergist/rheumatologist should have most of the tests, but there're even more in Taichung VGH, which are very complete in my opinion. But you'd better bear in mind that under the pressure of NHI, most doctors would do some preliminary tests before going thoroughly, not to mention that it costs higher in medical center and you have to wait longer. And if you are very sure about your problem, it's not compulsory to go to the GP first for a referral.