:-/
I wish we could help each other out in situations like this. I got a 90 day supply of Provigil and stopped taking it after it started to give me bad headaches. It's just sitting in my drawer. I'd gladly help you out if I could. It definitely worked for me when it did work.
:-/
This is one that I can't buy here in Italy without a prescription. That is probably because it is fully paid for by the sanitary system so they don't hand them out without a script from a person's doctor.
I have read articles on the FDA website that are warning against purchasing RX drugs from websites in other countries because they have found many of those online pharmacies are not even giving you the drug you think you are buying. It is very very dangerous.
http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048396.htm
Check out that article with the link above.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM204943.pdf
The initial prescription was rejected because they said it was off label. My neuro had also scheduled a sleep study for me at the same appt. because I complained of waking with headaches and feeling tired through the day. We were wondering if it was my MS or if it was sleep apnea. The insurance reversed their denial one day later, after getting more information from the doctor. He is really good at going to bat with the insurance companies for his patients.
A couple weeks later I had the sleep study done and was dx'd with mild OSA, and I now have a cpap to sleep with, and the provigil rx stays in place.
Does anyone know for sure that modafinil is sold OTC in other countries?
Wow, OK, this thread answered all kinds of questions for me! *sigh*
Lulu, when your neuro prescribed Modafinil, did he use specific language like "shift work", of "Narcolepsy", or does your insurance cover "off label" prescribing? Mine doesn't. :-(
I have rx coverage for mine, fortunately, and I don't have to take a trip overseas as much as I would want to, or order online for my provigil. A $100 copay gets me a three month supply, which is by far less than the cost of buying it online and definitely beats the cost of a good defense lawyer. But the question was bouncing around in my head and I thought this wise group would have some thoughts.
It is interesting that this drug is considered so dangerous here in the US while it can be purchased over the counter in Europe. And it doesn't help that so many people are refused this treatment option, after trying the 30 day trial samples.
Excellent analysis, Mary!
Raz is right. Modafinil is still classified as a non-narcotic schedule IV drug in the US. Non-prescription importation by individual citizens is prohibited.
I know people in the US order drugs and cigarettes from outside the country to save money, get meds their insurance denies and avoid high taxes. I don't blame them a bit but doubt their sources are overly secure or long lived. I do wonder what the custom tag content list says is inside.
The government sets the regulations. They are aware foreign suppliers are offering prohibited products to US citizens. They can seize imported goods, notify the addressed recipient about how to claim it (if they want to claim it) and then just wait. I'm thinking if we can find companies to sell it to us, the feds can find them too and will shut them down soon. That would, of course, create some of those 'technical difficulties' that sometimes occur. Umm, wonder if that sort of thing ever gets resolved?
I’d have to think about how I was going to share this with my doctor. It couldn’t be documented in a chart without implicating us both. What if he already refused to order it anyway? It would be so much harder to work with my docs and get quality health care if I didn’t feel free to disclose all “alternative” treatments I use.
I readily admit I’m not much of a risk taker but this would be too much for me from the legal standpoint alone. I’m sure my strong inclination to adhere to rules has resulted in a flattened wallet many times over the years. For me, that still trumps the price of the alternative - be it in dollars, guilt or legal defense.
I am glad we have a chance to share about things like this hypothetically here on the forum.
Mary
RazCarver: good to know!!! Guess I better stay out of drug trafficking.
wow, those are some hefty numbers
Hypothetically,I understand why people do this, but I'm to much a coward. in the United States, Provigil is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it's illegal to import it from a foreign source. Being caught without a rx could be 5 years and 200,000 fine.
Just a thought to add to the musings.
egads, me too, but have heard so much about the quality of these products.
count me in with wanting information!
Thanks for asking this question Lulu. I've been wondering myself. I'm looking forward to the discussion.
Hmmmm, good question. I could try to pick some up for you this week but I'm not sure if there would be an issue mailing it from Canada to the U.S. I could ask a pharmacist in Brussels if they can recommend a reputable web site that ships to the U.S?