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Q: Getting antibiotics in China
A month ago I fell sick. In remote China. I went to the local hospital for treatment and they sent me home with traditional Chinese medicine. Herby stuff. Sigh. As I continued to deteriorate I decided to journey to Beijing to seek out antibiotics and a decent expectorant cough syrup which I subsequently found in a very expensive GP practice catering to Westerners. The drugs and consultation cost me about 1,300 kuai. Crazy expensive but as I was now in the clutches of acute bronchitis and therefore supremely miserable, I was happy to pay.
But today I felt a niggle in my throat and I am dreading a repeat. Tbh I cant afford a repeat. Can I find antibiotics like Zithromax in small-town China? I'm in Renqiu (Hebei) pop: 90,000. How does it work here in China with antibiotics? Can one stroll into a pharmacy and expect to procure them? Or do you need to see a doctor in the local hospital? Can one order them online if they cant find them in their town?
7 years 24 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
Buy them in the pharmacy. You might need to sign for them.
Not a good system of course, because antibiotics should be controlled to prevent superbugs.
ironman510:
special note: China antibiotics are safer for the body then the hard core ones we use back home for basic sickness. (Yeah I can't believe I said that too.)
Buy them in the pharmacy. You might need to sign for them.
Not a good system of course, because antibiotics should be controlled to prevent superbugs.
ironman510:
special note: China antibiotics are safer for the body then the hard core ones we use back home for basic sickness. (Yeah I can't believe I said that too.)
You should be able to pick up Amoxycillan and similar over the counter at any good pharmacy. You may also be able to pick up Tylenol or Bayer cold & flu medication.
You can get Lemsip through Taobao... it has similar ingredients to Tylenol and Bayer.
If it's a lung infection then I'd recommend moxifloxacin. Only use antibiotics as a last resort and not as a preventative measure.
I'm no doctor but I seem to know more than most local doctors.
Ask for 莫西沙星 or in pinyin mo xisha xing.
Stress, air that's too dry/moist and not drinking enough fluids can make things worse.
Never have IV antibiotics unless it's an emergency. Not to be trusted.
Go to Hong Kong or search online for a real pharmacy.
You can buy Amoxicillin in any 'pharmacy' and without a prescription, AND it is not expensive.
If you are talking about Amoxicillin, it is free if you live in the Nanjing, Jiangzu province area, just turn on the tap and drink the water. You also have a good chance of getting them for free in many parts of PRC.
"In December, 2014, antibiotics were detected in residents' tap water and China's major rivers.1 Antibiotic pollution has become a serious public health problem in China.2, 3 Two antibiotics (amoxicillin [8 ng/L] and 6-aminopenicilanic acid [19 ng/L]) were found in tap water samples randomly collected in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Six antibiotics were also found in tap water in cities of Anhui Province.1 Antibiotics were found in major rivers, including the Yangtze River and Pearl River. 68 antibiotics, at high concentrations, were found in surface water.2 While antibiotic concentrations found in the Pearl River were as high as 1080 ng/L,2 these are usually lower than 20 ng/L in rivers in the USA,4 France, and the UK.5...."
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60437-8/fulltext?rss%3Dyes
Safest way is to get it outside of PRC. The closest trustworthy location is HK, as Engteached pointed out. Why else do you see mainlanders flooding HK's pharmacy and supermarkets, for fun?
With that experience I would have it sent from home and put it in the emergency kit.
You guys are all marvellous. May a squadron of good things find you all today.
Icniff77 - special thank you for that website link.
Katet:
Good to hear! I was a bit confounded (and amused) when I was told by another member to "grow up" "get responsible" and "sort your own damn problems out" in response to another question I posted. Suspect member needs a hug ;)
