How do I get a doctors letter for OTC medication?

[talkwithmybestfriend]

I’m travelling to Norway at the weekend. I have a knee injury and I’ve been recommended to take cocodamol with me just in case it flares up. I have done a google search and it says that because it’s a controlled drug in most of Europe, I’ll need a prescription for it.

The only issue is, it’s OTC here! Do I just need to contact my GP, explain that I’ve been recommended to take cocodamol with me, and that because of the rules in Europe I need a prescription? Or am I best off doing a private GP’s appointment? I feel a bit confused now!

Nope. They won’t see me regarding this because my “care has been transferred to the hospital”

I have never once been asked to show what medicines I had in my bag when travelling all over the world. I would not risk it in the Middle East, but the worst that could happen in Norway is that they would take it off you.

But as a pp said, OTC co-codamol is pretty useless. You’d need the proper prescription strength one to have any real effect.

Am pretty sure you don't need it for a weeks stay. Keep the pills in the packaging from the chemist (proof), a copy of the prescription, perhaps take a photo of the original and keep the receipt from the chemist. and just take 1 weeks worth. You're allowed personal use afaik.

You really are overthinking this. Just buy it and take the minimum amount you think you need. if you’re not using then. this country though it does beg the question why you need them abroad?
Just leave them in original packing and it you really want to take the receipt with you. No one is interested in a small amount of cocodamol for
personal use any more than they’d be interested in a box of paracetamol. How do you think the rest of us transport drugs on trips abroad? If you take enough quantities to indicate you are supplying drugs then that’s different.

otherwise just buy a painkiller abroad if needed

You're over thinking this big time. Just take some with you.

The issue is I don’t have a prescription! Cocodamol is OTC

You still don't need it or have an issue, I think you're being overly worried - you're there a week. And tbh, the OTC version is so weak, it may not help you much anyway. Take para's every 2 hours, then anti-inflams every two hours, the best bet to keep on top of the pain. No more than 8 of each a day of course.

Or... ask for a telephone apt with GP and see if they will give you stronger ones and then you've a paper trail!

Enjoy Norway, lovely country and hope have a pain-free great time.

https://www.dmp.no/en/manufacturing-import-and-retailing-of-medicines/importing-medicines-for-personal-use/bringing-medicines-into-norway-by-travel

@talkwithmybestfriend

Norway is a highly civilised country in my view. I very much doubt that they will care about a personal quantity. I have never in all trips to Scandinavia/Europe had any luggage checked.

Because it has got codeine in it going to the middle East would be a different matter and it would possibly get you put in jail. Even the so-called poppy seeds on rolls upset them!

I took a box of OTC cocodamol in my suitcase to Norway last October and never had a problem? No one asked me or checked with me.

I wouldn't just put pills into a pot.

I have travelled with OTC codeine (8mg) and prescription codeine (30mg ) and morphine and never had any issues - including when searched - maybe looking very wonky helps - but as you are anxious I would just take OTC painkillers that are allowed in the country, like paracetamol .

If you are not used to codeine it probably is not a good idea to take it for the first time when you are on holiday ! The better suggestion may be to take a stick or hiking poles as they may help you with walking

There is jail time in certain countries for bringing in codeine if it’s a controlled substance eg Singapore.

I wouldn’t risk it without a letter as you’d be at the mercy of that countries policies. As for decanting medicine - this looks even worse for officials at airports.

If you can’t get a letter, the maybe paracetamol and ibuprofen will do the job - I say this as someone who has had to travel with injuries that impacted how much walking I could do.

If you’ve not been using it in the uk then it’s bizarre to recommend it as a “just in case “ medicine…it shouldn’t be used for more than 3 days anyway unless specifically prescribed by a Dr.

I went to Norway last summer and just packed all my prescription medication and the CBD patches in the suitcase which was checked in at the airport and went in the hold. Nobody checked and batted an eyelid. I didn't have codeine with me, but I had naproxen.

I asked for a GP letter, the receptionist suggested she just print off my record.This was for something else.

Are you sure it isn't OTC where you are going? The OTC version in the UK is not that strong.

I've taken co-codamol on holiday to Europe on loads of occasions (including Norway) and no-one has ever questioned it - i had no idea it was even a thing!
I've even taken oral morphine on a couple of occasions 😬

Then ask that NHS worker for the letter!

It is both irresponsible and dangerous to suggest people take paracetamol every two hours. They can be taken every 4-6 hours. The risk of damage to your body is not insignificant f you don’t spread the doses out.

I live in France and have cocodamol in my possession.

Storm in a tea cup. No one is going to care. I travel back and forth to Europe and have previously taken CoCodamol and Tylenol as well as Melatonin with me. Never had any issues for over 2 decades.

If you want the letter then be prepared to pay for it at your GP surgery - it’s admin work for them. You’re taking a voluntary trip and bringing OTC meds with you. Just pay and be prepared to ask well in advance, I once needed a GP letter and it took them 6 weeks. This was for a court hearing.. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Your over thinking it just put a packet in your suitcase it'll be fine as a PP said worst case they take it off you, my feeling is they won't give a shit.

Because the cost is incurred by you traveling abroad, so it's no different from getting vaccinations to go on holiday - the rest of us don't pay for your travel expenses.

I’m also going to Norway later in the year and taking Solpadeine OTC, which contains codeine, for migraines and other pain. I used to travel alot to Sweden and they had the same rules and I didn’t realise until I had made a few trips, but I never had a problem. I am now wondering whether to get a GP letter just to be on the safe side. It’s a cruise and I won’t actually take it off the ship but not sure if they go through your hand luggage! That probably still counts though as taking into Norway.

But I’m already having to pay for everything else! If the GP would just prescribe it, I wouldn’t need to pay nearly £100 for a letter. It absolutely does not take more than two minutes - yep, Talk has a knee injury, she needs pain relief.

Keep it in the original packaging. The version you can buy OTC has a very low dose of codeine in it and is very unlikely to cause any problems. The fact it is boxed and labelled as an over the counter pain killer and is a small quantity means it is highly unlikely anyone will say anything, you're not going to be doing time as a drugs mule 😂