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!

This. But in the uk and take it with you. I have had surgery and just been abroad 8 weeks after my surgery / I took controlled drugs with me in my suitcase, morphine, co codamol and naproxen and I took steroid, EpiPens and painkillers in my hand luggage - no one cared. All in full packs and clearly for personal use.

Personal j qould just put it in my suitcase, I'm sure it'll be fine

Alternatively you can pay £25 for someone like updoc to write you a medication letter for flying. You travelling abroad isn't the NHSs issue

Why wouldn't you pay for everything that's not covered for anyone else either?

If it was £20 I’d see your point, but £96 for less than five minutes of work is insanity.

I regularly take 2 boxes of 32 co-codamol to Spain and it's never been an issue. Equally I took the same amount to Norway last October without any problem. Only you can decide what you are comfortable doing but this is my experience.

Isn’t that to buy it over there ? I’ve took diazepam and codeine plenty of times on holiday

No the rules say to bring it in, you need a prescription

Sorry but who the hell is going to ask to see your prescription for 8mg cocodamol? I think airport staff have bigger things to worry about.
It’s not like you’re taking a suitcase full of tramadol/morphine, it’s a packet or 2 of personal use painkillers for your stay. Massively overthinking this.

Well myself along with loads on this thread have never been asked for proof of our prescription medication, so you won’t either. Relax

I read that post and took it to mean alternative paracetamol and ibuprofen every 2 hours.
So, 10am take paracetamol. 12pm take ibuprofen. Para at 2pm and so on. Presumably so nothing wears off.
And this is what I'd do op, if you don't want to risk it (although I do!).

OP, of you aren’t willing to just take a box in your luggage then get a private doctors note. This thread is just lots of people saying it will be fine and you stamping your feet saying it won’t. So pay for a private letter and move on.

I’m glad you did but I didn’t.

This. Stop being such a drama queen @talkwithmybestfriend. Stick it in your handbag and forget about it. We buy industrial quantities of strong painkillers in Malta because they’re OTC there and prescription only here. Nobody gives a shit.

I've never realsied this is an issue. I travel to Europe alot with otc cocodamol in my bag

It’s not an issue. Op has taken it quite literally. If you’re going on holiday they’re not going to bat an eyelid unless it’s copious amounts

Out of interest what painkillers are these ? 😆 I used to be able to get the prescription strength cocodamol in benidorm but they’ve tightened it all up now

No one in any country I’ve ever travelled to has ever asked to see my prescription for any of the medications I take.

Bloody hell there's a lot of people giving the op advice that could get her arrested.

Ask your GP if they will prescribe you some.

As your GP (presumably) knows what's wrong with you, can you do an online request for a script for the stronger dose? No need to say anything about a holiday, just say you need something stronger.

😆😆

Multiple people have ended up in prison for doing dumb stuff like that.

I take cocodamol and oromorph to Europe every year since my cancer diagnosis and it's never been a problem . I take it in hand luggage so they do see it .

Oops. I took a blister pack of mine to Norway last year in my wash bag. Nothing happened. I was on a cruise though, not sure if airport security makes a difference

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/uk-world-news/pharmacists-grave-warning-over-brits-10308831

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/brits-banned-taking-six-medications-32461292

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7234786.stm

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/drugs-medicine-egypt-laura-plummer-tramadol-painkillers-illegal-uae-dubai-abu-dhabi-which-countries-hurghada-a8038286.html