Pramipexole and Travel: I am very... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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Pramipexole and Travel

catherinem13 profile image
8 Replies

I am very paranoid about taking medication abroad, particularly as I am travelling to the Middle East (Qatar). I cannot find anything online which would suggest that pramipexole is not permitted which may seem obvious, but I still get paranoid about this. Has anyone had any experience of travelling to Middle Eastern countries with pramipexole?

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catherinem13
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8 Replies
Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1

I can see no reason why Prami should incurr problems going to middle east. Be sure to take a copy of your prescription, and even a letter from your doctor, saying this is an essential medication.

I have never had a problem going through Dubai etc ,with opiods in my hand luggage.

Prami is not a scheduled drug, as far as I know.

Good luck.

Just to second Madlegs. You would probably have problems with taking "controlled" drugs into a middle east country. No doubt you're thinking of the recent case of a woman arrested for smuggling opiates into Egypt. In that case however, she had no prescription, she was taking them for someone else. I can't believe that opiates are banned in Egypt, what do they use for severe pain?

In any event, you DO have a prescription and it's highly unlikely that it's the equivalent of a UK "controlled" drug anywhere. Although it is dependency producing it's not classed as "addictive" or harmful. Although the latter is a matter of debate.

As Madlegs says, take a copy of you prescription with you. I have taken Pramipexole to Russia many times. I always took more than I needed for the time I was there and I kept it in my hand luggage whilst travelling. I doubt if it would be easy to get it in Russia or even less in a middle east country. Losing any would have been a nightmare!!!!!!

Sometimes it's difficult to get in the UK!

Pam34 profile image
Pam34

I took Tramadol for my RLS and travelled through the UAE on my way to Australia. According to the UAE website, for controlled drugs I need my doctors prescription, a letter from my doctor and then permission from the UAE embassy to carry the drugs through their airspace. I got all these things but was still terrified passing through. No one was interested! Never even came out of my bag!

Insomniak profile image
Insomniak

Hi Catherine - sounds like you got some good replies already. I haven’t been through UAE but I carry a copy of my prescription with me when I travel. Like others, I have never been asked to produce it. I think issues only occur if you are carrying large quantities of drugs many times more than you would require for the duration of your visit.

Contact the nearest Embassy for that area and ask them do you require a formal letter from your Dr which prescrition medications and dosages. Ensure you travel with them in the packages they are prescribed in that shows your full name etc. I would still get the Dr to give you a covering letter regardless, that's what I have done in the past.

All the best🐥

Anne_liz profile image
Anne_liz

Like some of the others who have replied, I have traveled to several countries where opiates are illegal with codeine and just my prescription. I have never been asked about them, but I agree it is worrying. I am currently in Australia and came via Dubai and am coming back next weekend, via Dubai again. At least by then I will have very little codeine left and will take a dose before going through the airport in case.

Shumbah profile image
Shumbah

I cancelled a trip to Bali a few months ago when I was taking panadiene forte.

After phoning australian embassy they told to phone Indonesian embassy.

Of course they Indonesian embassy said make sure you have repeat script and doctor letter and then proceeded to say

ALL DEPENDS ON THE POLICE OFFICER YOU GET ON THE DAY that I said sorry I’m out .

I have just travelled through Abu Dhabi to and from Europe with OxyContin

I’m hand luggage . I only took a couple extra with me however that frightened me what if I dropped one down the sink etc.

No one looked at me going through , coming back they went through every persons hand luggage bag I was sweating .

They did not look at what my meds were they were not looking for liquids.

I stayed in Qatar 2 years ago for a night out of the airport they never looked at anything .

TaliT profile image
TaliT

Be sure to take just enough medication for your trip, and also get a print out of your prescription from the Drs, and keep all medication in original packaging. My pills are in dosette boxes, they were checked but allowed.

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