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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To use antihistamines in Dubai?

15 replies

LockedOutOfMN · 20/04/2018 20:32

In Dubai, suffering allergies (I think to pool chlorine). Is cetirizine legal, and available, here in the UAE?

OP posts:

IvorHughJarrs · 20/04/2018 20:33

Don't see why it wouldn't be as it is not abusable

19lottie82 · 20/04/2018 20:34

It shouldn’t be but if you do a quick google search you can easily find a list of banned substances.

NoTNoShade · 20/04/2018 20:38

I had antihistamine taken off me at the airport which I needed in case my child had an anaphylaxis on the flight!

BuffyTheMLMHunter · 20/04/2018 21:27

Totally fine and legal. Can be bought at/delivered by any pharmacy. BIL lives in Dubai and we ordered all sorts for us and kids when we last visited.

Original poster

LockedOutOfMN · 20/04/2018 21:28

I can't find any conclusive Google search results.

I'll try to find a pharmacy tomorrow and ask.

OP posts:

TabbyMumz · 20/04/2018 21:50

Why do you think it wouldn't be? What do you think the people who live there do when they have an allergic reaction? Surely if you can't get out to the shops to look, you could ask at hotel reception to call you a doctor or where the local pharmacy is?

19lottie82 · 20/04/2018 21:58

I can't find any conclusive Google search results.

I found this in about 10 seconds.

ttps://m.gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2152678.1515252265!/menu/standard/file/Banned_Drugs_List.pdfJ

19lottie82 · 20/04/2018 21:59

Apologies..... missed a letter off the link

m.gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2152678.1515252265!/menu/standard/file/Banned_Drugs_List.pdfJ

19lottie82 · 20/04/2018 22:00

Gah!!! Not working now try this one instead

www.fairtrials.org/list-of-controlled-pharmaceutical-substances-in-uae/

Original poster

LockedOutOfMN · 22/04/2018 11:08

Thank you all so much. I went to a pharmacy yesterday and they said that some types are available, but they didn't have them in stock. We went to another pharmacy that had calamine lotion but no tablets. The other pharmacies were shut. The allergy attack seems to have worn off of its own accord, if it comes back we will look for more pharmacies or call/visit a doctor or medical centre. Not staying in a hotel.

OP posts:

TheHulksPurplePants · 22/04/2018 11:15

Ask for Aeries, they also have claritan. I don't know what crappy pharmacy you're going to, but all of them should have antihistamines here, they give them out like they're candy.

Original poster

LockedOutOfMN · 22/04/2018 11:36

Thanks Hulks. We will try another one if the unstoppable sneezing returns...

OP posts:

LollyLarkin · 22/04/2018 13:59

Where are you staying? Maybe someone here can recommend a pharmacy near you? I was always able to get them when I lived in Dubai. Maybe go to a mall and try Boots? Lots of the pharmacies will deliver to you if you give them a call, you can just pay them cash on delivery.

DXB · 22/04/2018 14:49

Antihistamines are available at all pharmacies - never had any trouble buying them. Sometimes things go out of stock at certain branches but perfectly legal to buy them. Hope you’re feeling better soon. The dust and heat at the moment probably isn’t helping...

possumgoddess · 22/04/2018 15:07

I'm glad you can get antihistamines in Dubai, we went to Malta a couple of years ago and I tried to get some in a pharmacy (after not being able to find any in a couple of supermarkets) and was told I couldn't get them without prescription! Malta has very vicious mosquitos and I suffered a bad reaction to the bites and was very miserable and itchy. Luckily they took pity on me and let me have them anyway.

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