Getting Medication in Costa Rica

Opiates require a prescription by a local doctor and may be purchased from a pharmacy, although not all pharmacies carry them...
You would have to get an appointment with private doctor, plus the 'possible one time cost' of tests to verify the medical condition, and issue the Rx for the required medications each month to treat the associated pain at a cost of possibly $80-100 plus the cost of the RX  but the price for the actual meds. are usually less here. Once a legal resident most meds are provided by CAJA at no extra cost, but are often genetic. Most expats use a private doctor, exclusively, for various reasons.
As a resident and under 55 your CAJA costs will vary, depending on what status you apply for, Pensionado and the amount of the pension, Rentista or Investor, although you won't be covered until you have your cedula, which could take a year or more after your initial application.
Most of the private insurance companies  do not cover pre-existing conditions.
You cannot receive meds. ordered through the internet or sent from 'home' by mail or by courier.

I don't know what this person is talking about, "80$ to 100$ each month plus cost of meds.....".  I was in a small beach town, and was able to purchase clonazepam (klonopin), a controlled medication here and there, from a pharmacist who went out the back door and next door to a Dr. who for $10 gave me a script for all the Clonazepam I wanted; the cost was $30 per month, where I pay a $10 copay here.  But then down there I don't have the monthly cost of an insurance premium.  I got a quote for ALL my meds, 5 in all, for around $90 per month.   You only have to see a private Dr. once or twice a year and visits are commonly $30-$60.  So my guess is the person who answered you first lives in San Jose.

I assure you I don't live in San José.

I wrote '...possible one time cost' of tests to verify the medical condition, and issue the Rx for the required medications each month to treat the associated pain at a cost of possibly $80-100 plus the cost of the RX'

Most doctors will not write a Rx without verifying the need for opiates

Obviously you dealt with a  pharmacist 'who went out the back door and next door to a Dr. who for $10 gave me a script for all the Clonazepam I wanted' which is not always desirable or possible.

Doctors' 'usually' will only write a RX for a one month period, so you would be required to pay for the visit to the doctor for repeat prescriptions, every month plus the cost of the meds themselves. Even CAJA will only issue a person, three separate months prescriptions, however the clinic will only provide one month meds. at a time.
Al least this has been our experience over the past 10+ years.

Private doctors fees vary all over the country, with many 'specialists' costing the amount mentioned, $80-$100.
How many times did you see 'your doctor', gebennet99 or get the Rx renewed?

Of course it isn't always possible, but in the smaller towns no problem.  You are just one of these "super straight" people with bucks who don't take the trouble or time to find out how things really work and then give bogus or "expensive" information to people who ask for your help.
By the way, I saw this clinic doctor for a hand infection, for which he sent me to San Jose to the emergency room of a private hospital, and he also expertly excised a toenail from my big toe after I walked into (one of the many) pieces of cement sticking up all over.  I saw TWO doctors AND a nurse, was put on an hour of a super strong iv antibiotic drip, and had a full set of blood work done.  ALL in less that 1.5 hours.   The blood work was back in 45 minutes.  I had a MRSA infection and it has been a year and the effects are almost gone.  The hospital was private, almost brand new, and as clean (or cleaner) than anything you find here.   The cost for EVERYTHING, (remember this was an emergency room visit), was $290.00!!!   About $4000 here in the US I would say.

So your implication of this Dr. not being legitimate again belies your motives.    Again by the way, that pharmacy honored that script 6 MONTHS later when I had just returned to Costa Rica from the US.  So using terms like "most" and "every" and "desirable" are your descriptions, and are simply bs.

You certainly got one thing right, 'I am "super straight" '.

Please try and remain civil in your conversations. I am an ex pat here for 11 years or so. While it is true that the Caja will give you a month supply of many meds, once you pay into the system, many are generic and worth their salt. Often, you can establish relationships with Pharmacists here (with the help of an interpreter or if you speak Spanish), even without seeing a private doctor. Going to see a "private" doctor (most work with the Caja and set up an office to supplement their income) is a very good idea. If you have the prescriptions in hand, they can tell you what is covered by the caja and which you will need to purchase. Chances are that most are covered. It really helps to have a relationship with a Costa Rican who knows the ins and outs. It is crucial, in some cases to have your medical records handy and translated into Spanish. It is more of a game here to get what you need, but patience is the key word! Of course, if you have money to burn, you can get most anything, but then you do end up paying for it, with one person providing service for a fee, jacked up prices from the doctor and the pharmacy, as well. Ideally, Find a doctor that you and your pocketbook can live with, a pharmacy that does not overcharge and have your records handy and you should be able to accomplish what you need. Being patient and congenial helps in all these efforts. Meaning, try not to roll your eyes or get angry when told certain things. You need to adapt to the pura vida attitude and lose what you know from states or Canada, as far as timeliness is concerned. I live in a remote location, far from the rat race of cities and am married to a Costa Rican (Tica), I have an advantage, but if you remain steadfast, patient and humble, you will go far here, getting what you need, without paying exorbitant prices, far less than you would in the states. Speaking with your neighbors is the greatest help. I worked in the medical field in the states for some 45 years before I retired here, so I know the costs of both. I cannot speak to the "Canadian" ways of healthcare, so I am assuming that it is not terribly different, but what I don't know can be misinformation. You can't always get what you want, but if you try some times, you get what you need,  to paraphrase the Rolling Stones.

We came here from Canada eight months ago.  We are not yet in the Caja system.  I have a GR8 relationship with one lady at the local farmacia and have been able to get all my medications simply by talking with her and showing the original prescription from Canada. I did not have to see the doctor.  When we left Canada I was only entitled to three months of medications that were covered by insurance so I paid out of pocket for more.  The expense was about double of what it is costing here.

All of the pharmacies I have used over the years, have provided excellent services.

In July 2015 I used my US doctor scripts to refill my meds.   I am not yet in CAJA so cost was direct w/ pharmacy.   Cost of generic tamsulosin and tramadol was very expensive here in CR.   I had to do a border run for my drivers license.  I went to Nicaragua and took same scripts.  Cost of same generic meds in Managua were one half the price of what I paid in CR.

Be sure that the meds from Nicaragua are genuine as it is reported that many are not.

Hey! Considering the move too.
From what I've read, only the hospitals can prescribe any opiates, not allowed to bring them through customs either.
Might want to try Amitriptyline first. It was once used like Prozac but to take enough to help mood disorders had bad side effects. Most of all, dry mouth.
In smaller doses it works great for nerve pain. Between that and naproxen, I seldom ever require opiates. Opiates have a whole lot of side affects I'd rather not deal with.
Luckily, I've never had any addiction problems. I seem to be able to go on them or stop them at will. Even the doc was impressed. I stopped using morphine and codene after 9 years use, on my own, cold turkey and without a sign of detox! From what I've been told that is very unusual. I was taking 8 - 16 opiates a day... every day.
After being off them for a few months, I took them again to deal with a bad pain day but found if I don't take at least 1 small dose a day, it shuts down my digestion when I try getting back on them. This happened twice so they told me I need to take one small dose a day to keep it in my system. It just wasn't worth it to me.
You may think I don't have bad pain but I've had two back surgeries so far. I'm familiar with pain.
Most people don't know the kind of pain you're talking about. It is debilitating!
Another miracle I've come across that has been around for decades is electronic stimulation. They have portable units that require putting electrodes cris-crossing the area of pain. Then a cigarette pack sized generator is worn on the belt. It sends a low amperage 15,000v charge to the electrodes.
My sciatic pain was the result of disc disease. The portable didn't help all that much. Actually it was because it was a pain in the butt to wear. I was working back then and had trouble with the electrode peeling off because of perspiration and the electrode pins kept getting pulled out when I'd reach.

Eventually I had the electrodes surgically implanted in my spine. Major Surgery! The equipment and operation run about $125k and insurance companies won't pay unless nothing else has worked. The VA disability program paid for mine. They tell me this has been around since the early 50's. In fact, Jerry Lewis hurt himself on the set of one of his Martin and Lewis movies and he'd had one inside ever since.
Of course now it's all wireless. Electrodes are wired to a battery pack inside you glute's and that can be recharged once a month via a wireless antenna paddle.You learn to live with your kids telling everyone you paddle your own butt!

I wouldn't go through it unless your pain is unbearable. Mine was manufactured by St. Judes hospital, and I'm pretty sure they make the portable units... most insurance companies will pop for that. It saves them money on prescriptions.
One thing the portable does well is give you a distraction from the pain. You can adjust the strength and choose one of many delivery pulses that are sure to keep your mind off your hip. You can choose pulse speed and duration, waves of charge and any number of combinations to suit you. Not bad for an occasional  problem,
Hope the info helps!

All the medicines I bought in Nicaragua were authentic medicines, just like the ones I buy in CR.  all were boxed and labeled by their manufacturer.

hello Bennett99 Im Rick from california have blood cancer wanted to visit Costa Rica but will need meds there. I read a couple of your posts and was hoping I could pick your brain as you seemed about the sharpest person I saw in the forum

You would need to name what exactly you are looking for. Chances are, you can't purchase it 'over the counter' but may need a Rx written by a local doctor or possibly even an oncologist. 

Not all pharmacies will carry brand name meds, especially the new ones....and many are generic.

Good luck.

rickw67 wrote:

hello Bennett99 Im Rick from california have blood cancer wanted to visit Costa Rica but will need meds there. I read a couple of your posts and was hoping I could pick your brain as you seemed about the sharpest person I saw in the forum

Hola Rick,

Welcome to Expat.com!

Please note that the person you are responding to wrote that three years ago and only posted a couple messages.

As to the "sharpest person," may I say from the rest of us... ouch.   

- Expat Dave
Expat.com Team Member

I will be in CR in a couple weeks and something I read in one of the posts concerned me.  It said that you cannot bring opiates into CR.   I am awaiting a back surgery and take multiple medications for pain, including some opiates. 

Will I have any trouble bringing my prescriptions through customs?

You can't 'ship' any medication (including opiates) or supplements into the country, but you can bring them in with you, in their original container, showing your name or a Rx

Some meds are cheaper here but not like they used to be. Some meds are more expensive here in Costa Rica than in the USA. Flonase for example. And as someone else said, tamsulosin is not cheap here. I had to pay $50 for 30 tabs. Even antibiotics are not that cheap. Uvamin cost me nearly $1.80 a tab.
Other stuff that is generic is as cheap or cheaper than in the USA. Part of the problem with flonase is that it is generic in the USA but not here. $60-70 for a 2-month supply here, $20 for 2mo supply in USA.
So it depends on what you buy and whether it's available here as a generic or not.

Thank you for clarifying.

Good Morning,

If you don't mind, I have one more question regarding medication.  I have a opiate prescription that cannot be filled in the states before I leave for CR.  Would a pharmacy in CR be able to fill it if I bring the prescription with me?

Thank you for your help!

PAULVIANO wrote:

Good Morning,

If you don't mind, I have one more question regarding medication.  I have a opiate prescription that cannot be filled in the states before I leave for CR.  Would a pharmacy in CR be able to fill it if I bring the prescription with me?

Thank you for your help!

Unless things have changed, no you cannot get a U.S. script filled here.  I tried to have a script filled from the States, (Adderall), when we first moved here and it was a definite no.  So you would need to see a doctor here to have it filled.  Cost to see a doctor in the area that I live in is about $40/¢25,000. and that will include the cost of his/her writing the prescription.  Other opinions on this one?

Also, you would need to make sure that it's even available here.  What is the medication?

- Expat Dave

The doctor may want to perform tests to see if you really require this Rx. Depending on what you require,  you will probably be given one month supply, then you would have to do it 'all over again'.

Thank you Dave.  Basic pain killer - oxycodone

lol.  One look at my MRI and they will ask how I am able to stand up...

PAULVIANO wrote:

Thank you Dave.  Basic pain killer - oxycodone

Does anyone know if Oxycodone is available here?  If not, I'll check at the local pharmacy.

- Expat Dave

In San Jose there are pharmacies that might fill it if you pay THEIR doctor for an "exam" ... I don't know if you'd have to do that every week. PM me and I'll give you an idea where the farmacia is that I heard about in this regard.

I have a question that is not directly on point but I thought I'd bring it up here. I have intractable pain from cancer surgery and have been on a host of medications. My doctor in the U.S. has been prescribing me Tramadol for several months but has decided to no longer do so as he is concerned about regulations.

I have come to Costa Rica on vacation to check out possibly resettling here. I was surprised to learn that Tramadol can actually be purchased in a pharmacy, and when I learned this, I bought a box of 14 capsules (manufactured in Ecuador) for $28.

But now I am concerned about taking this back to the U.S. at the end of my vacation. I do have a prescription for Tramadol, written by my American doctor, and have about ten pills left, so it's not like I have no prescription, but I am wondering if I can take this safely on the plan back home. Will customs stop me? Is it illegal to bring it into the U.S., even though I bought it lawfully in Costa Rica and actually do have a partial bottle lawfully purchase and prescribed in the U.S.?

If the worst that could happen to me is they confiscate it, I'd be willing to risk it, but if I'd be putting myself in jeopardy than I'd just as soon leave it behind. I don't need legal problems on top of everything else.

I don't think you will encounter any problems. If you were taking back 'a large amount' they may question it.

Hey I saw your post . I recently moved to San Jose . I was being prescribed oxycodone in the states for back pain due to many bad car accidents. I’ve been using some meds I brought with me . I have made the decision to stay in Costa Rica full time . And can use help getting my medicine on a regular basis . My name is Yan . And would be grateful for any information or advice you can offer me . Thank you

There are some farmicias that won't ask for a script from a doc for something like Tramadol, which despite the mania going on in the states over pain medicines, is not an opioid.   However, my experience following gallbladder surgery here, is that for any opioid, especially one as strong as oxyccontin, you are going to need a script.   To obtain a script, and one that will allow you to refill this type of medicine, you need to become a patient of a local doctor who will examine you and determine your needs.  She/he will then write a script to your farmicia for that medicine.    I can tell you based on my own experience leading up to surgery, there seems to be a general reluctance to prescribe strong opioid drugs.

Yan litvinov wrote:

Hey I saw your post . I recently moved to San Jose . I was being prescribed oxycodone in the states for back pain due to many bad car accidents. I’ve been using some meds I brought with me . I have made the decision to stay in Costa Rica full time . And can use help getting my medicine on a regular basis . My name is Yan . And would be grateful for any information or advice you can offer me . Thank you

Hola Yan,

Welcome to Expat.com!

It is MUCH easier to get medication here than the States.  I would suggest that you take whatever medication scripts that you have or just the medication bottles to several farmacias and just ask if they have them, the price, if they have generic for it and which one's you will need prescriptions for.  There are doctors of sort in most farmacias and they are always very helpful.

It may be different in the San Jose area, but, in San Ramon I have just taken my prescriptions to my CR doctor and he simply prescribed what I needed with no exam or even any questions.

Please let us know how it goes so that others can benefit from your experience.   

- Expat Dave

Re: OnTheWater
"But now I am concerned about taking this back to the U.S. at the end of my vacation. I do have a prescription for Tramadol, written by my American doctor, and have about ten pills left, so it's not like I have no prescription, but I am wondering if I can take this safely on the plan back home. Will customs stop me? Is it illegal to bring it into the U.S., even though I bought it lawfully in Costa Rica and actually do have a partial bottle lawfully purchase and prescribed in the U.S.?"

I came back to the states Dec 2016 from 8 years in the philippines. My internal injuries from a botched usa gallbladder surgery and follow up surgery in the philippines has left me pretty messed up.. I had 600+ 30mg morphine and 200+ 10mg valium and US customs didn't say a thing. I did have them in my laptop bag and my medical records with me in case they gave me drama which to my surprise they didn't see them or cared. The morphine were in foil 4 packs so they would be seen in x-ray scans at checkin and customs.

earlstarr wrote:

Re: OnTheWater
"But now I am concerned about taking this back to the U.S. at the end of my vacation. I do have a prescription for Tramadol, written by my American doctor, and have about ten pills left, so it's not like I have no prescription, but I am wondering if I can take this safely on the plan back home. Will customs stop me? Is it illegal to bring it into the U.S., even though I bought it lawfully in Costa Rica and actually do have a partial bottle lawfully purchase and prescribed in the U.S.?"

I came back to the states Dec 2016 from 8 years in the philippines. My internal injuries from a botched usa gallbladder surgery and follow up surgery in the philippines has left me pretty messed up.. I had 600+ 30mg morphine and 200+ 10mg valium and US customs didn't say a thing. I did have them in my laptop bag and my medical records with me in case they gave me drama which to my surprise they didn't see them or cared. The morphine were in foil 4 packs so they would be seen in x-ray scans at checkin and customs.

Hola Earl,

Welcome to Expat.com!

As long as the prescription is in the bottle/package provided, and has your name on it, the script, you shouldn't have a problem at all.  I take a medication that requires a script and it's prescribed in CR.  I take it with me every time I go back to the States and it's not an issue at all.

- Expat Dav
Expat.com Team Member

Thanks Dave! I just want to say the medications i had were very hard to get. I dont suggest anyone going to PI for the medications i had. They have a strict DEA and it was my condition and were perscribed by an oncologist there.

I plan to be in San Jose by Dec. Just hope i can get in touch with a Dr in Costa Rica to help me.

I can recommend a doctor in San Jose that speaks English and a great pharmacist.

I have a doc in San Jose I see for chronic pain and he will write scripts for OxyContin and morphine, as well as the less intense drug OxeForte which is codeine and a otc drug similar to Advil. His name is Jose Hidalgo and he is located in Santa Ana.

anyone know if the pharmacia amiga and doctor in cobano carry oxycodone? I am out of my script I brought from the U S. My mother and sister have lived here in Montezuma for years. any help is much appreciated.

or anyone near montezuma???

answer  is no. only codeine and tramadol and benzos except for in  san jose apprently.