Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works to treat patients with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works. Prednisone is not a common drug of abuse. Although obtaining it does require a prescription, it is not listed as a controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Prednisone is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels (lack of certain substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning). Prednisone is also used to treat other conditions in patients with normal corticosteroid levels.
Thousands of Americans cross the border every year in order to save a great deal of money buying prescription drugs. This is a major industry, and sales to foreigners account for a significant part of the more than 11 billion U.S. dollars worth of pharmaceutical products sold last year. Despite these numbers, however, too many Americans have little or no information about purchasing prescription drugs in Mexico.
Mexican Pharmacies
There are two ‘classes’ of farmacias (pharmacies). The most common is sequnda clase (second class), which is allowed to sell all but regulated medicines. Pharmacies that sell controlled or regulated drugs are referred to as primera clase. Controlled medicines are those that are deemed as having a high potential for abuse, such as Xanax, Valium and anabolic steroids. If the word ‘controlado” is used, it means that the drug is controlled and you cannot buy it over the counter without a prescription from a recognized and registered Mexican doctor.
Are Mexican drugs safe?
There’s reason to believe that prescription medication from some Mexican pharmacies in towns close to the American border may actually be both affordable and safe. In fact, a health insurer in Utah incentivized members to buy certain prescription drugs at a contracted clinic in Tijuana in an effort to reduce costs.
What is prednisone called in Mexico?
Prednison is available in Mexico under the following different brand names:
- Mintlab Prednisona 5 mg X 20 Tablets
- Nosipren Prednisona 20 mg X 30 Tablets
- Prednisona Mk 50 mg Blister X 10 Tablets
- Prednisona Kern Pharma 5mg X 30 Tablets
- Prednisona Alonga 10 mg X 30 Tablets
Can I buy prednisone over the counter in Mexico?
Prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory steroid and Mexico’s General Health Code prohibits over-the-counter sale of restricted drugs like steroids. But enforcement is usually lax, and many Americans have taken advantage of that to cross the border to stock up, either for personal use or, more commonly, for resale back home.
How to Safely Buy Prednisone in Mexico
According to the singlecare guide for buying prescription drugs in Mexico, you should:
Find a pharmacy you trust: If you’re considering buying Prednisone over the border, make sure to buy them from licensed, established pharmacies—not random individuals who may try to sell you medicine outside of those places.
Don’t buy medicine without your doctor’s approval: Always—it’s worth repeating: ALWAYS—listen to your doctor’s recommendations for prescription medication. Even though other medications may be available for sale without a prescription, they could harm your health.
Be careful about what you bring back: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has strict rules about bringing medicine across the border. Generally, three-month supplies of some prescriptions accompanied by a note from your doctor are acceptable.
If you’re not planning a trip abroad, can you order prednisone from Mexico?
It’s a common question—and can seem much easier than traveling across the border. With medications seemingly just a click away, it can be tempting to just hit order, then wait and see. But, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends against buying prescriptions from other countries because the regulation of drug manufacturing may be more lax, or the pharmacy may be a fake. And, if you order without a prescription your prednisone package could be seized.
If you do decide to order prednisone from a Mexican pharmacy online, make sure to follow the FDA recommendations. Check into licensure, and look for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ Seal, also known as the VIPPS® Seal.
