Lately, for reasons I am unsure of, an old football injury has come back to me in spades. I can still walk, but with considerable pain. My appointment with my doc is not for about 10 days. Can I get pain medication like vicodin from a pharmacy in Mexico and bring it back?

-- Modified on 3/15/2007 9:17:35 PM

While this article is about 6 years old, it MIGHT help out.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20010401/ai_n10686431

I saw on one article as well that you have to be careful of counterfeit drugs being sold in Mexico as well.  The ol' "buyer beware"

officials (as the article notes), but from TJ cops.  The policy in Mexico is that the individual is responsible for having a RX on his/her person, not at the pharmacy.  So it is not a problem to visit a pharmacy and buy drugs. (vicodin is not available in TJ, I don't believe. But you can get veldrol or others that work as well).  Anyway, if stopped by TJ's finest and they find you have RX meds w/o a prescription, it will either cost $$ to be allowed to pass, or you can stand your ground and go to the judge (assuming they don't give in and let you go.  Time is money for those guys, so sometimes standing your ground works).  Anyway, I don't know if there is a fine for having RX meds w/o a prescription in TJ and if there is, ? hom much.  It may work best to go durnig the day, buy enough to get you to the DR. appt, put up with the crowds, and spend the next week in a much better state of mind.

To be comply with all laws you need a Rx from a Mexican physician to buy vicodin in Tijuana.  You also need a Rx from a US physician to import it into the US.

Mexico, like the US, has laws about controlled substances.  The differences is Mexico has fewer controlled substances than the US, but something like vicodin is a controlled substance in both countries.  Possession of a controlled substance in Mexico is a felony and there are Americans currently in prison in Tijuana for breaking this law.

Furthermore, the TJ police are being very vigilant in this matter.  Many, many tourists are being stopped and searched.  Often they are forced to pay a bribe for carrying legal medications.  (I’d drive rather than walk for something like this.)

If you are going to buy something like vicodin in TJ I strongly urge you to get a Rx from a Mexican physician.  Most of the pharmacies near the boarder can refer you to somebody.  Dr. Romero and others have offices in the plaza behind the pharmacies.

Normally, US customs will accept a Mexican Rx.  However, technically you need a Rx from a US physician to import medications.   They are more likely to be “fussy” about something like vicodin than diabetic medication.  I strongly suggest you declare that you’re bring medication back into the US.  (If you say medication instead of vicodin they may not ask what type, but it’s better to lose your meds than do time for brining it back illeagally.)

I have a friend who's into Vikes. I'm not sure if Vikes are still available in TJ but if they are, I'm sure you can get it.
As posted above, the cops LOVE to bust Gringos with drugs.
My friend who's into Vikes would pop the pill in the pharmacia so if any cop was watching him buy some meds (which they do on occasion) and stopped him outside, he wouldn't have any meds on him.
I'm sure you're interested in buying more than one pill and want it for future use.
Buying drugs in TJ is risky, buying narcotics in TJ is really gambling whether or not you get nailed or not.

RH

Just don't do it.  Period.  I had a prescription from a Mexican doctor, played by the rules.  The vicodin was confiscated by US Customs who gave me the rap on "it's probably counterfeit anyway".  Actually that's better than being stopped by a cop.  Most of the patdowns I've encountered have been cops looking for even a SINGLE viagra in my pocket.  They even ask, "you have vicodin? viagra?"  I never ever buy pharmaceuticals there.  Even ibuprofen.  Just not worth it.  When I've been patted down and been clean, they return my wallet and every dollar inside; never a problem.

not worth it. I did go to my doc, who basically said live with the pain. Thanks for your help.

Ouch.  
Make you love HMO's   NOT