Cozumel Mexico and Sudafed

[Marty Bess]

I have problems with my ears and use Sudafed but I've read folks get thrown in jail in Mexico for bring it in. Well I'm going to Cozumel and was wondering if airport/security there looks for Sudafed? Anyone take it with them and feel ok doing it??

Thanks,
Marty
- Safe Diving

 

[NorCalDM]

I always bring it with me and have never had an issue. I guess if you were bring in a truckload it may be different. The only thing I've had taking from at the airport in Mexico is an open bag of beef jerky?

 

[kelemvor]

I've read folks get thrown in jail in Mexico for bring it in.

It is illegal. You can get arrested. For example: Kaysville woman jailed in Mexico over Sudafed pills

Here's what the Mexican government has to say about it: Information regarding bringing medications into Mexico | U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico

That said, I brought a box of 96 sudafed when I went in 2015. I also had a variety of prescription medications with me. Most of that came home with me as well. My bags were searched, and the only thing the airport folks took were unused batteries (but only the new ones in unopened packages). I assume because the batteries could be easily resold.

It's a risk.

Another option is to visit a pharmacy when you get there. I am unsure about sudafed but a lot of stuff that requires prescription here is OTC there.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Would that be CUN or CZM? From what I've heard about the Cozumel airport you'd probably have a better chance of getting through in Cancun. I'm fairly certain that you can't buy Sudafed in Mexico, even with a prescription. My girlfriend gets something that looks like Sudafed but is actually phenylephrine. It seems to work almost as well for her. I brought some Tramadol back to the US that I bought in Mexico and didn't have any problems at the airport but we have TSA Pre-Select and were at CUN. Besides, I have a current prescription for Tramadol in the US if anyone was to ask.

 

[MaxE]

Check your sudafed. I believe what is banned is pseudoephedrine, it was the active ingredient and why in many states you had to show an ID to get it and could only get a box or two (it was/is used to make meth). I don’t think all or most sudafed uses pseudoephedrine anymore. Read the link in post 3 Information regarding bringing medications into Mexico | U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico
and check the box for ingredients

 

[SteveInMD]

I had no problems with sudafed in my checked luggage. However my daughter had ear trouble during our trip. Our dive guide sent us to a local pharmacy to get Synalar-O solution. He said it has an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and pain reliever. No prescription needed. It worked like a charm. I understand you can’t get it in the US even with a prescription.

I was a bit concerned about using a pain reliever (lidocaine I believe) and still diving so we were very careful to make sure she could clear her ears properly. She said she could tell equalization was going just fine. She had no problems for the rest of the week.

 

[Damselfish]

Check your sudafed. I believe what is banned is pseudoephedrine, it was the active ingredient and why in many states you had to show an ID to get it and could only get a box or two (it was/is used to make meth). I don’t think all or most sudafed uses pseudoephedrine anymore. Read the link in post 3 Information regarding bringing medications into Mexico | U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico and check the box for ingredients

Sudafed still uses pseudoephedrine. They created another product "Sudafed PE" that uses phenylephrine. Which I guess can't be used to make meth, but doesn't work as well either as far as I'm concerned.

 

[kelemvor]

Sudafed PE and other products based on phenylephrine are placebo plain and simple. A placebo-controlled study of the nasal decongestant effect of phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine in the Vienna Challenge Chamber. - PubMed - NCBI

In the US, you can get Pseudoephedrine products at any pharmacy. You just have to ask a pharmacist for it now (no prescription needed).

 

[Damselfish]

There are limits how much you can buy though. Here it's 3.6g/day or 9g/month which I think is pretty common. (Unless I goofed a box of 20 12hr sudafed totals 2.4g) . And I think there's a couple states that require prescriptions.

 

[kelemvor]

I usually buy the 96 pill box. No idea how many grams that comes out to. I only buy one or two a year.