Buying prescription drugs online

[LeftistLeslie]

So I went to my doctor today to talk about my hair loss. Rogaine hasn't worked for me but since I am trans gender we talked about Propecia. I picked up the prescription from my pharmacy and got a hell of a sticker shock. Its $70 for a one month supply and my insurance doesn't cover it because its cosmetic.

I did see that there exist online pharmacies, some of which are in other countries that sell it. But does anyone have experience with this? Is this legal? Can I buy drugs from a Mexican or Canadian pharmacy and have it shipped to me?

[ImagineKate]

It's technically legal and some will ask for a prescription. Worst comes to worse customs will seize your order but they usually release it if you show them a prescription.

[Brenda E]

Propecia is nothing more than x mg finasteride tablets.

Xmg generic finasteride tablets are cheap as dirt.  Ask your doc if he or she can write you a prescription for the generic x mg so you can cut it into quarters.  (I know dosage information is prohibited here, but this is a dosage for hair loss, not HRT - I don't think it violates Rule 8, but mods please correct me if I'm wrong and edit this post accordingly.)  This is a widely-used technique that most docs seem happy to accommodate (and even suggest to their patients to save lots of money.)  If your doc doesn't like the idea, find another doc; one who cares more about getting you medication you can afford rather than being a puppet of the insurance companies and Big Pharma.

Propecia is a total rip-off.  Please don't waste your money on it when a generic is available for a fraction of the price.

[Clhoe G]

I use online pharmacys sometimes, because like you've said sometimes there cheaper than the given prescription by the doctor n it's totally legal in Australia but customs check packages like that to make shore it's not a narcotic (those are very illegal) if your in the U.S you'll need to check your state law, because I'm pretty shore a few don't allow it.

I wouldn't recommend using a Canadian pharmacy they tend to be a rip off and lots of Mexican online pharmacys are dodgey, many have even been shut down, because their selling fake meds.

[JoanneB]

I can talk about pharmacies other then Canada or Mexico. Forget actual brand name stuff, just a generic version. I don't want to lob a hand grenade, let's just say if you ask a chemist (as a chemistry person) there are several ways to skin a cat. Or in this case make a molecule. How you get to the end product can be done many ways. Each have their own pluses and minuses. Not all generics are equal for the same drug. Not all generics are as good or better then the proprietary brand name product.

I too experienced "Sticker Shock" when I first filled my script of injectable E. A $250 list price for a 90 day supply. For that much from my off-shore sources, I'd be set for the year. Within days of my first shot I noticed a BIG difference in the efficacy. It was like when I first started years earlier.

Legally, you can "import", I believe, a 90 day supply. Occasionally customs will seize a package. Eventually they may get around to contacting you for a prescription. For a good solid 6 years recently all of mine came through unmolested.

If only TSA can be so nice with my baggage. Seems like every trip I take I find a "We fondled your undies" letter in my bag

[ImagineKate]

Natalie sweetwine on YouTube was saying that her endo made a comment that the estrofem (estradiol) purchased online contains more than the labeled dose.

[Trillium]

2 brands of finasteride that come in x doses are fincar and proscare. I've been taking them for several months to reduce my DHT levels after finding from my last blood test they were unaffected with just the spiro.
Apparently a possible side effect is erectile dysfunction, but for me that would be another positive

[Brenda E]

Apparently a possible side effect is erectile dysfunction, but for me that would be another positive

Absolutely!

I'm always slightly amused how some rather vain, self-obsessed middle-aged guys take finasteride to stop their hair loss and retain their ability to attract cute girls half their age; they end up in bed and can't get it up - oops! - then spend their days ranting online about how damaging the drug is.

But yeah, for us it's an added bonus, not an unwanted side effect.

[captains]

Absolutely!

I'm always slightly amused how some rather vain, self-obsessed middle-aged guys take finasteride to stop their hair loss and retain their ability to attract cute girls half their age; they end up in bed and can't get it up - oops! - then spend their days ranting online about how damaging the drug is.

But yeah, for us it's an added bonus, not an unwanted side effect.

Just wanted to share that I very nearly replied with a "hey, I resemble that remark" jokey comment before I remembered that a) I am not middle aged and b) when you're, uh, working with silicon, dysfunction ain't really an issue. I am both vain and self-obsessed, though. 

[Trillium]

Absolutely!

I'm always slightly amused how some rather vain, self-obsessed middle-aged guys take finasteride to stop their hair loss and retain their ability to attract cute girls half their age; they end up in bed and can't get it up - oops! - then spend their days ranting online about how damaging the drug is.

But yeah, for us it's an added bonus, not an unwanted side effect.

Hehe, putting it that way makes them sound cute, like grumpy giant stuffed cuddly teady bears (yeps this is what I thinks about when I wake's up earlies)