Prostate Drug Availability?

[Green Nomad]

Hi Guys, Anyone taking, or know where to obtain, the prostate treatment drug Proscar (finasteride) 5mg in Thailand? I have been prescribed Avodart, but I am not happy to take this due to possible side effects. Here in Saudi Arabia there is a shortage of Proscar, so when I travel to Thailand next month I am looking to source a batch if possible. Maybe Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin has a supply?

Any help appreciated. GN.

[hin]

Finasteride -5 5mg is widely available here especially at the govt hospitals. Is sold under trade names: Firide / GPO Finax / Proscar / Stercia. Urologist said it is intended to shrink the prostate and needs 6 months before any notice so is often prescribed in company with an additional medicine. But it did zero for me and I tried it a lot longer than 6 months.

Avodart (Dutasteride) 0.5mg is a newer highly touted med in same family but, like you say, higher risks and much higher price. They should NOT be taken together. It also did zero for me.

There are many other prostate meds available here and different ones work for different people. I have been using Xatral 10mg (Alfuzosin) for many years and it is the only one one that has helped me. It is most reasonable in price, is available anyplace and is somtimes prescribed in addition to Finasteride. And it starts working strait away so might be worth a try. Bur I am only speaking what has worked for me. You need to check with a urologist.

[Green Nomad]

Thanks for the concise reply hin.

My urologist has been prescribing Xatral by itself for sometime now for the symptoms, and over the last 12 months my PSA readings have been gradually decreasing, however my ultrasound measurements are showing same as last year at 51ml, so my doctor has now suggested additional treatment with Avodart to try to reduce the size of the prostate, but as I said I don't want to take. I had been using Proscar before, but that was in line with Tamsulosin, not much effect, so hope this new combination will work. By the way, I have had a biopsy and an MRI to discount cancer. Been told it is BPH.

Will go to Bangkok hospital in Hua Hin when there and try to get Proscar on my medical insurance.

Thanks again for the info...

[hhinner]

Finasteride can be sold over the counter I think, e. g. Propecia is finasteride. If you can't use your insurance and don't want a doctor consultation then a pharmacy is likely to be a lot cheaper than Bangkok hospital,

[handdrummer]

Finasteride can be sold over the counter I think, e. g. Propecia is finasteride. If you can't use your insurance and don't want a doctor consultation then a pharmacy is likely to be a lot cheaper than Bangkok hospital,

About half the price.

[hin]

Finasteride can be sold over the counter I think, e. g. Propecia is finasteride. If you can't use your insurance and don't want a doctor consultation then a pharmacy is likely to be a lot cheaper than Bangkok hospital,

Yes, I have bought all those meds over the counter at Thai pharmacies, no problem. And cheap enuf you might even not care about the insurance and inconvenience of needing a doctor’s referral. Or get the prescription before leaving SA?

Will go to Bangkok hospital in Hua Hin when there and try to get Proscar on my medical insurance.

=== The rest of the story. My urology experience in HH.

If you dp go to Bkk Hosp and they assign you to a Urologist = Dr. Tanongkit Prachapinyo = My opinion is turn around and dash out the door so fast they will not even know you had been there.

Had surgery in USA many years ago to remove a section of the prostate gland. But per problems and ultrasounds it has continued growing and is causing serious inconvenience. Went to Bkk Hosp requesting a cystoscope exam to take a look. He suggested PSA not High enuf to suggest cancer danger so try Vesicare 5mg (Solifenacin succinate) and come back next week. My faucet shut off like not even a trickle could dribble. Internet says Vesicare is antispasmodic for overactive bladder = not my problem and with it my problem had became compounded. When I reported back he seemed offended that its affect was backward but said OK we can do a cystoscope and set me up for it an hour later. On doing the scope he acted totally surprised at the enlargement altho he had seen my records and ultra-sounds. I asked what % the enlargement, no reply, ignored all questions as if I were not even there. So I learned nothing except he did say he did not see any scaring. Seemed to be a kind of guy who says his opinions but not open to questions.

He prescribed Avodart. Handed him list of present meds, 2nd time, asking what to continue or to stop. On looking at it he said, “Stop the Finasteride” Internet on arriving home stated taking both is highly dangerous. If you gotta be yr own doctor why go to a doctor..?


HH Hospital was far worse. Went there first with same request, for cystoscope exam. Here is blow by blow of that fiasco.

1/ First visit = sit in chair 3 hours waiting for brief interview with fast track doctor on 3rd floor. Receive appointment for general check up and exam + blood tests a month later.

2/ Did all that. Receive appointment for ultra-sound at 3 weeks later.

3/ Sit in chair 2 hours waiting for ultra-sound then back to chair waiting to see doctor #2 again and receive appointment to see urologist 4 weeks later + another blood test before seeing him..

4/ Blood test then stand in breezeway behind main building 4 hours waiting for name to be called then sit in last chair of musical chairs arrangement in front of urologist’s office. 1 ½ hours to progress thru the musical chairs and into urologist’s office. He asked some questions, pressed groin twice and gave prescription for Finasteride and appointment for another blood test and return to him 4 weeks later.

5/ Did blood test then same drill again, standing in the breezeway then thru the musical chairs. His question, “How’s the pee?” “Same.” That’s it, 3 words from him, one word from me then out the door !!! Gave me appointment for operating room 4 weeks later.

So, up to this point had been 4 months into the old army game process of going thru the numbers toward an objective assessment of whether my problem has gone into danger zone. Then I ask the nurses and office people some questions and learn my final appointment will be prostate removal, not assessment.

To be clear, the ‘Fast Track’ nurse did lead us down to the urologist’s office and handed my paperwork to his office girl but there was nothing fast track about any part of the entire routine that consumed 4 months and accomplished zilch.

Did not go back, went to Bkk Hospital. Bkk Hosp does have good doctors and it does not take what is left of your life to see one but that time I believe I got an unlucky draw. This was 2 years ago so possibly there is a different urologist now but I have resigned myself to always knowing where the toilets are and sleep with an empty milk bottle beside the bed. The option seems to be scuttle the desire for the female anatomy and that is not desirable either. Even my dog is not happy with that limitation.


About HH Hosp — they are cheap but you get what you pay for. It seems to me that the “Fast Track” privilege means zero except what they can provide in their den on the 3rd floor. Get there extra early as appointments mean nothing. Especially in the rest of the hospital. For instance, if you need a CT-Scan or an Ultra-Sound EVERYONE’S appointment will be whatever time that department opens. Like, if 39 people have CT-Scan appointments and CT-Scans start at 4:30, every one of those 39 people’s appointments will be 4:30. And they do not even necessarily put your name in the queue in the order that you arrive. If you arrive 1st, your paperwork might easily be in the pile 1st = 1st in last out. Of course inpatients go first, as it should be.

We do go to HH Hosp for simple stuff and cheap prescription meds, hopefully without leaving the 3rd floor and arrive before 8:00am, when the doors open, which is a long time before the doctors arrive but it puts a shorter wait at the beginning of the day rather than out the door at evening mosquito time.. If a simple problem, talk to a pharmacist, not a hospital doctor

[Dannie Boy]

This would involve a journey to Petchaburi but I would recommend a Dr. Wittaya at
41 ถนนดำเนินเกษม Khlong Kra Saeng, Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi 76000, Thailand
+66 89 775 9121
https://goo.gl/maps/7X7vNETy7vAMKGWz7

He’s a qualified Urologist, speaks good English and seems to know what he’s talking about. He has his own clinic as per google map reference above and operates from the Petcharat Hospital in Petchaburi

[handdrummer]

hin, you're not the only one. Every experience I've had at BK hosp. has been awful. One exception. The nurses who do the blood tests are excellent. I have submerged veins and they never have a problem finding them.

Re: prostate exams. I had a TURP operation and the fool Dr. messed it up. Spent 4 days in the hospital, with tubes running in and out of me. He was supposed to remove 60% and removed 40%. He said the regrowth was 5% per yr. That was 6 yrs. ago. Since then I've been taking 240 mg. a day of Saw Palmetto & 4 tsps. of Pumpkin seed oil. So far I've had no further problems.

I really wanted to do some damage to that Dr. He lied to me about his experience. Fortunately, for him, but not his patients, he transferred to some other BK Hosp.

[Dannie Boy]

Although you would need to seek medical advice, I read that Cialis has been approved for treating enlarged prostate (BPH), so potentially two benefits from one tablet!!

[Green Nomad]

Isn't Cialis prescribed for erectile dysfunction? Told my doctor don't need as I never do,,

But seriously can it be used to promote shrinkage in the prosate?...and used in conjunction with the other drugs? My urologist also suggested frequent ejaculation, I said I need to talk to the wife

Anyway, all the replies here have been useful..Cheers GN

[Dannie Boy]

Isn't Cialis prescribed for erectile dysfunction? Told my doctor don't need as I never do,,

But seriously can it be used to promote shrinkage in the prosate?...and used in conjunction with the other drugs? My urologist also suggested frequent ejaculation, I said I need to talk to the wife

Anyway, all the replies here have been useful..Cheers GN

I was searching for drugs that are used to treat enlarged prostate and came upon this

https://www.webmd.com/men/news/20111006 ... d-prostate

As I had suggested, it also provides the more popular benefit you’re aware of!!

[thecolonel]

As per hin post above, Tanongkit is the worst Doctor I've seen in Thailand and quite possibly the world!

If he was free i still wouldn't go and see him, I'd pay to see another

The last time I saw him it was just after covid broke and he spent most of the consultation picking his nose. And I'm not joking

Didn't have a clue about my condition despite it all being in my notes. The guy is a clown, end of story.

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[thecolonel]

Although you would need to seek medical advice, I read that Cialis has been approved for treating enlarged prostate (BPH), so potentially two benefits from one tablet!!

Two points

1. I would expect using Cialis for BPH is an expensive option due to its beneficial side effects!

Anyone know how much in Thailand?(asking for a friend!)

The equivalent ED drug is of course Viagra for which the Indian version can be bought for 200/250 baht for 4 tablets(so my friend tells me!)

I'm guessing Cialis would be more expensive

2. I'm supposed to take Tamsulosin(Hydrochloride) for BPH.
But after a few years on/off I've given up last 6 months as it gives me a near constant headache.

Anyone found a BPH drug that 'works' (better flow etc) without headaches or other side effects eg tiredness???

Thanks

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[Dannie Boy]

Cialis is is the leading brand name for the drug tadalafil but there are many generic options available. Viagra on the other hand is the leading brand for the drug Sildenafil, again of which there are many generic options. I am certain that these drugs are not interchangeable for the treatment of BPH.

I don’t know the prices of any of these , but assume that generic versions will be at least 50% cheaper than the leading brand names and may not be that more expensive than the BPH drugs you are using.

[Dannie Boy]

Cialis is is the leading brand name for the drug tadalafil but there are many generic options available. Viagra on the other hand is the leading brand for the drug Sildenafil, again of which there are many generic options. I am certain that these drugs are not interchangeable for the treatment of BPH.

I don’t know the prices of any of these , but assume that generic versions will be at least 50% cheaper than the leading brand names and may not be that more expensive than the BPH drugs you are using.

I would add that these are things I’ve read on the internet - I wouldn’t advise you or anyone else to use them without seeking medical advice


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