Sudafed in Cozumel with prescription?

[Marie13]

Now in the USA it's prescription only.

Where do you get that into? I bought Zyrtec D (which had pseudoephedrine) just last week.

 

[Rob9876]

my quote was from the u.s. embassy and consulate in mexico's website.

Bringing Items into Mexico / U.S.

mx.usembassy.gov

That language is confusing at best. It is a general "Bringing Items Into Mexico" page that starts with saying some OTC meds such as Sudafed are illegal to bring in. Then it links to other sources. Then it makes that statement about having a copy of a prescription, etc.

Looking at this site, it looks like the U.S. embassy cut and pasted some info from here: Mexico International Travel Information

Under "Health" then "Pharmaceuticals" 4th bullet point "

• For a list of controlled substances in Mexico, visit the COFEPRIS website (Spanish only) and the Mexican Drug Schedule (Spanish only). U.S. citizens should carry a copy of their prescription or doctor’s letter, but it is still possible that they may be subject to arrest for arriving in Mexico with substances on these lists. Note that a medicine considered “over the counter” in some U.S. states may be a controlled substance in Mexico. For example, pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed, is considered a controlled substance in Mexico. For more information, contact the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C..

A web search turned up similar a similar warning about possible arrest on the Los Cabos airport website: Customs & Security

A couple of websites mentioning 1 actual arrest: Puerto Vallarta tourist arrested over Sudafed pills . . . Kaysville woman jailed in Mexico over Sudafed pills

I'll also mention that the ENT in Cozumel that we took my son to see for a sinus issue in 2021 also warned us that every now and then authorities will arrest a tourist for Sudafed, just to send a message. That doctor was quite knowledgeable, so I have no reason to doubt that.

Pseudoephedrine works well for sinus issues for our family. But as I am neither fluent in Spanish nor a Mexican attorney, all of the above is enough for me to steer clear of trying to debate this with Mexican authorities -- I'm hoping to never see the inside of a Mexican jail!

 

[BRT]

Now in the USA it's prescription only.

Not true

 

[DandyDon]

Now in the USA it's prescription only.

The original Sudafed, containing pseudoephedrine? Where did you get that erroneous idea? Restrictions do vary by state, but none require prescriptions.

 

[formernuke]

Last I went for some here they did, could be store policy, shrug

 

[O-ring]

I wouldn't normally take it, but had a terrible sinus infection right as I was leaving for Socorro in Jan so I rolled the dice and took it (along with a crapton of other stuff - Mucinex, Flonase, Afrin, NyQuil, Advil, etc.). I had my doc write me a prescription and brought that too figuring I would plead ignorance if caught. I didn't get caught and was able to rest up and get well enough in my hotel the 2 days before departure that I had a fantastic trip. That being said, it is listed in my "destination specific instructions" for Mexico in my packing list as DO NOT BRING. I wouldn't have chanced it had I not already been sick and taking it before departure.

 

[SwampTiger90]

The original Sudafed, containing pseudoephedrine? Where did you get that erroneous idea? Restrictions do vary by state, but none require prescriptions.

Some localities require prescription

Many states require a tracking database and quantity limits

 

[Marie13]

Some localities require prescription

Many states require a tracking database and quantity limits

The feds have tracking database and quantity limits. There is no prescription required at the fed level in the US.

 

[rmssetc]

The original Sudafed, containing pseudoephedrine?
If so, that would not be something I'd do. It's illegal, and all it takes is one customs agent, and your life just got a lot more complicated.
I bring mine in my bottle of antacid or in one of my wife's prescriptions - the pills are essentially the same size.

So, you're suggesting doing something that would unquestionably be considered smuggling (hiding prohibited pills in a different container, implying your awareness of the violation) rather than something where you could claim accident/ignorance (keeping the pseudoephedrine in it's original box).

I'm not criticizing your decision, or advocating either approach, but I find this an interesting tradeoff between "likelihood of detection" vs "consequence of detection".

 

[mediumone]

So, you're suggesting doing something that would unquestionably be considered smuggling (hiding prohibited pills in a different container, implying your awareness of the violation) rather than something where you could claim accident/ignorance (keeping the pseudoephedrine in it's original box).

I'm not criticizing your decision, or advocating either approach, but I find this an interesting tradeoff between "likelihood of detection" vs "consequence of detection".

I'm not suggesting that anyone do anything.
I simply shared what I do.
Smuggling is what I'm most comfortable with.
The consequences of abiding by the law have been, on two occasions, extremely painful. Awful. Horrible.