Insulin Question...

[nfahey]

Friends are traveling with us next year to Playa and one of them has an insulin pump, but wants to know if something happens and he needs to obtain insulin and syringes while in Playa are these things that you can buy w/o a perscription? And if you need a RX, will they honor one from a doctor w/in the USA. I know you can obtain most things w/o a perscription, but I was unsure of these 2 things.

Thanks for any and all information.

[Heather]

I sure don't know the answer to this one, you should tell your friend to talk to his doctor. Bringing the US prescription is good because you can show it to a Mexican dr. who speaks English and who can write you a prescription here, but it won't help you in the pharmacies. A visit to the DR. is not expensive here, around 300-400 pesos.

[Dakota Ron]

Originally Posted by nfahey

Friends are traveling with us next year to Playa and one of them has an insulin pump, but wants to know if something happens and he needs to obtain insulin and syringes while in Playa are these things that you can buy w/o a perscription? And if you need a RX, will they honor one from a doctor w/in the USA. I know you can obtain most things w/o a perscription, but I was unsure of these 2 things.

Thanks for any and all information.

Hello from another insulin pump user! Here is what I do.
1. I carry one vial of insulin and needles and extra pump supplies in my carry on luggage. PS Make sure you warm the people checking your bags that there are needles in them, they appreciate it.
2. Put an equal stash in your check-in luggage.
3. It is easier to take extra that to try to find a refill.
PS They will not have Pump supplies on hand in Mexico as it is not available there yet.

Hope that helps a little, it is what I have done for the last 3 years.

[bypaull]

Hi there. My son is also on an insulin pump and we do not take the pump with us when we go to Mexico. If the pump breaks or is stolen then getting a replacement is impossible. Also, it is difficult to swim with it and removing it and reattaching it whenever he wants to jump in the water can be a real headache. Also, the pump can overheat if left in the sun.

He starts taking Lantis or Levomere a week before leaving (to adjust to it) and then uses it while we are on vacation. It is a very long lasting insulin that slowly releases over 24hrs. thus it is matches the function of the pump. Then he will bolus if he needs to at meals.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[bypaull]

and ... we always bring more than enough syringes and insulin so I can't answer as to whether or not you can purchase them there.

[Anna]

Don't know about the insulin, but syringes are very easy to buy here at any farmacy.

[claudiadeplaya]

If your friend just needs a prescription The Red Cross on avenida Juarez has an attending Doctor 24 hours, and the visit will cost 50 pesos, about 5 dollars, they have a pharmacy right there and can source the meds you need.
The best doctor is Dra Soledad unfortunately she is not very fluent in English but she is an exellent doctor. Feel free to give your friend my e mail and I will be happy to help if needed. I am attending paramedic school there and have to do my service hours there as well. I will be happy to translate.
PM me for my phone and cel numbers for your friend

[claudiadeplaya]

there are insuline pump refills available in Cancun but not all the time and they are very expensive, we import them

[nfahey]

Thanks to everyone who replied!

claudiadeplaya--I will be PM'ing you shortly.

Thanks again,

Nancy