Zolpidem

[justapax]

Sorry to post so much in one day.

I thought this might go in 'Medical & Health' but that's for aircrew only.

I take various medications; like most people my age, I practically rattle with pills. I hope to fly to Australia and spend a week there, and I checked my meds to see if they were OK as a visitor to Australia. Zolpidem is flagged up.

Zolpidem is a medication I take for my Meniere's disease, an aspect of which is that my tinnitus is so loud I can't get to sleep without chemical assistance. Zolpidem is a Class C drug, addictive and potentially a drug of abuse, and an S4 drug in Australia, which means much the same thing.

My GP has made me aware of the side-effects of this drug, which include death if I overdose. He always treats me as a competent adult, and had no problems dosing me - over the phone - with a powerful painkiller (a Class A drug - oxycodone) when I broke my ribs. The local hospital also treated me as a competent adult (have as much morphine as you like!) when I had cancer.

I am not sure if I can bring my Zolpidem into Australia. I have to declare any medications I'm taking on entry, and even if I have a UK doctor's prescription, I have no guarantee that I'd be allowed to bring it in.

It won't be a lot of fun visiting Australia if I can't sleep.

All advice gratefully appreciated.

Justapax1

[S.o.S.]

A good question. Possibly contact the Australian High Commission in London?

[redsnail]

You should be ok. Get a repeat prescription plus a doctor's note explaining what the condition is and why you need the prescription. Ideally in plain language so Border can understand it.
https://www.odc.gov.au/travellers/tr...edical-devices
These medications are prohibited.

• Abortifacients (for example, mifepristone – RU486)
• Yohimbe (Yohimbine)
• Aminophenazone, amidopyrine, aminopyrine, dipyrone, metamizole
• Amygdalin/laetrile.

[Saintsman]

If you have the NHS app, your prescriptions should be included on it. It may help.

[justapax]

Originally Posted by redsnail

https://www.odc.gov.au/travellers/tr...edical-devices

I followed the link and it says:

https://www.odc.gov.au/controlled-su.../list/zolpidem

Application type
Narcotic
Import licence required
Yes
Import permit required
Yes

Then I followed the links from there for 'Zolpidem', and I need an import permit.

I think it may be simpler just not to visit Australia.

[redsnail]

You're not importing it. You're an individual who has a prescription medicine. This is personal use, not commercial use. That page also says that if you're an individual wanting a substance for therapeutic use, see your doctor. The medication itself is not prohibited.
An alternative is to find another alternative that would work but won't arouse suspicion.
I'd take S.o.S's advice and contact the High Commision in London. Set out the what, how, why and see what they say.

[justapax]

Originally Posted by redsnail

I'd take S.o.S's advice and contact the High Commision in London. Set out the what, how, why and see what they say.

They referred me to the page about Class S4 drugs - i.e., prohibited. I didn't speak to a human being, only to their web address. MAybe I'll try speaking to a human.

The only alternative to Zolpidem is Zopiclone, there are manufacturing difficulties making Zopiclone. All of the 'sleeping tablets' so enamoured of writers like Agatha Christie have a therapeutical dose so close to the fatal dose that they are no longer prescribed. How aircrew, who mostly have broken biological cycles because of changing time zones every few days, manage, I don't know. Zolpidem is the only medication listed on the Wikipedia page about jet-lag.

[Impress to inflate]

I live in Oz and have done for many year. The AQIS staff won't go through each item in your wash kit looking for medicine that requires an import permit. If your are stopped, show them a letter from your local doc.

[MechEngr]

This may be of help.

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-...and-substances

It certainly suggests to me that putting it on the declaration is a good idea.

Under Medicine for Personal Use

You do not need a permit to bring in most prescription medicines even if they contain a controlled substance because such imports are generally covered by a traveller exemption scheme.

Prescription medication can be imported under a traveller exemption, provided that:

• you are arriving in Australia as a passenger on board a ship or aircraft
• the medicine is carried in your accompanied baggage
• you carry a letter or copy of your prescription (written in English) from your doctor to certify that the medicine has been prescribed to you to treat a medical condition
• the quantity of the medicine does not exceed three months supply.

You should leave your medicine in its original packaging and declare it to the Australian Border Force when you arrive.

[justapax]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. Now my flight to Oz is weeks or at the most months away, due to the Emirates points sale, they're especially opportune.

I'm just off Oxycodone, a Class A drug, for my broken arm. I think Aus border control would have had conniptions about that. It's as addictive as heroin.

[Mr Mac]

Justapax1
I note you plan to use Emirates and you will only be transiting DXB, not actually entering the UAE, but just be aware, as you may well be already, that there are issues with certain prescribed and or otherwise drugs in the UAE. Just a heads up you understand, and as I say there should be no issues as you will not be leaving the airport, but a word to the wise should you have to do so for some unforeseen reason.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[justapax]

Originally Posted by Mr Mac

Justapax1
I note you plan to use Emirates and you will only be transiting DXB, not actually entering the UAE, but just be aware, as you may well be already, that there are issues with certain prescribed and or otherwise drugs in the UAE. Just a heads up you understand, and as I say there should be no issues as you will not be leaving the airport, but a word to the wise should you have to do so for some unforeseen reason.

Cheers
Mr Mac

It looks as if it will be QF using Emirates points, as I want to experience the A380, either way I don't see myself straying from the First Class lounge into Dubai itself, but thanks for your very kind concern.

[Buswinker]

Originally Posted by Justapax1

They referred me to the page about Class S4 drugs - i.e., prohibited. I didn't speak to a human being, only to their web address. MAybe I'll try speaking to a human.

The only alternative to Zolpidem is Zopiclone, there are manufacturing difficulties making Zopiclone. All of the 'sleeping tablets' so enamoured of writers like Agatha Christie have a therapeutical dose so close to the fatal dose that they are no longer prescribed. How aircrew, who mostly have broken biological cycles because of changing time zones every few days, manage, I don't know. Zolpidem is the only medication listed on the Wikipedia page about jet-lag.

s4 doesn’t mean prohibited, it means prescription only (POM). Zolpidem isn’t even RS4 (ie restricted). Eyebrows generally get raised if GPs prescribe it too much but that’s a professional issue not a legal one

if you are uk based you may have luck using zaleplon instead, then again you may not. You may also have success getting an Australian doctor to prescribe you some to cover your time here

[Mr Mac]

Justapax1
You will be onboard my favorite long haul aircraft, enjoy your flight and indeed trip.
Cheers
Mr Mac