Sudafed Now Illegal In Mexico?

[DandyDon]

I can't find this in the news, but just stumbled across this: Pseudoephedrine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mexico

On November 23 of 2007, the use and trade of Pseudoephedrine in Mexico was made illicit, as it was argued that pseudoephedrine was extremely popular as a precursor in the synthesis of methamphetamine.

Is this true and accurate? Pseudoephedrine has been my every day med for many years, and I'd hate to travel and dive without it.

I know, they have SudefedPE - not the same thing; don't care for it...

 

[deco_martini]

Its not illegal, its prescription only. Much like how you can buy some over the counter remedies in Mexico that are prescription only in the US.

You should not have a problem taking Sudafed into Mexico. Unless you are taking a barge of it.

 

[scubawife]

I buy a box of Grifed in Mexico about once a year. (Naproxen + Pseudoephedrine). Had no problem finding it as farmacias in Cozumel in April. No prescription needed but it is behind the counter and I had to ask for it. They also had Sudafed (the real one, not the PE version) and allergy meds. No different then in the US, or at least where I live. We can still get the real stuff in sinus meds and allergy meds without a prescription, it's just behind the pharmacy counter or check out and you have to ask or it.

There is no issue taking anything with Pseudoephedrine into Mexico as long as the quantity is reasonable for personal use for the length of time you'll be there. Just like in the US, the issue is that large quantities are suspect because it's an ingredient that gets cooked to make crack...

 

[DandyDon]

Ok thanks. The only source I could find for that claim of the Nov 2007 law change was ok Wiki. I guess someone put in bad info...

 

[Nevis Diver]

I just buy a box or two every month or so and stash it until our CZM trip. I agree with Don that the PE just isn't like thee regular stuff.

 

[DandyDon]

I just buy a box or two every month or so and stash it until our CZM trip. I agree with Don that the PE just isn't like thee regular stuff.

We're only allowed to buy 48 at a time, every two weeks, by the current laws. I used to buy it in 100 count bottles years ago. The dosage is 4/day and I generally use 2 or 3/day every day year round so I do stockpile it but slowly. Going to Mexico, I make sure I don't have more than 4/day with me for the trip as I have read of people being hassled about that - altho it amazes me that customs noticed from my experiences with those "inspections."

 

[mstevens]

large quantities are suspect because it's an ingredient that gets cooked to make crack...

Methamphetamine ("crystal meth"). "Crack" is cocaine base and can only be made from cocaine.

 

[Damselfish]

my understanding at the time they started regulating this in the US, is that regular Sudafed (straight Pseudoephedrine) was being restricted but things containing a combination of Pseudoephedrine and other drugs weren't, because it was a lot harder to make Methamphetamine out of those. I think combo products are still available over the counter in the US.

I do hope it doesn't become more of a problem, I use regular Sudafed and don't like the PE version either. Shame when something perfectly fine gets regulated for the rest of us because of a few slimeballs.

hmm, just googles and found this old thread on Scubavboard. Maybe this is a bit in the urban myth category?
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mexico/34475-sudafed-illegal-mexico.html

 

[DandyDon]

my understanding at the time they started regulating this in the US, is that regular Sudafed (straight Pseudoephedrine) was being restricted but things containing a combination of Pseudoephedrine and other drugs weren't, because it was a lot harder to make Methamphetamine out of those. I think combo products are still available over the counter in the US.

I wish that were true here, it should be true, but it's not. I don't know if it varies by states, but at walmart or my local pharmacy - the Pseudoephedrine plus antihistamine compound I prefer is behind the counter, 48 limit every 2 weeks, ID checked and recorded. http://www.medications.com/drugs/genac

The only info I could find saying it was illegal as quoted in post 1 is in that wiki link - and I am glad to hear it is wrong.

 

[scubawife]

Methamphetamine ("crystal meth"). "Crack" is cocaine base and can only be made from cocaine.

From a 2005 Attorney General's report, "Make pills containing pseudoephedrine, the drug essential to producing meth, harder to obtain by placing them behind pharmacy counters and requiring buyers to show Ids and sign a log to get them."

Ok so obviously I don't have a drug problem... it's used to make meth not crack. :blinking: