Does anyone know of an allergy specialist doctor, and not the Chinese herbal medicine traditionalist (which others keep referring me to).
I’m also looking for what are over-the-counter medications (without prescriptions) in the US like Zytec, Claritin or Allegra.
Anyone know where to find those medications?
Thanks.
Edit: Sorry to cross-post this, but I am sort of in desperate need.
https://forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=94846&p=1416338#p1416338
[quote=“PapaAzucar”]Does anyone know of an allergy specialist doctor, and not the Chinese herbal medicine traditionalist (which others keep referring me to).
I’m also looking for what are over-the-counter medications (without prescriptions) in the US like Zytec, Claritin or Allegra.
Anyone know where to find those medications?
Thanks.
Edit: Sorry to cross-post this, but I am sort of in desperate need.
[url]Allergies in Taiwan
You can get Allegra at most big pharmacies. (I got some yesterday in Hsinchu). Anywhere there’s a hospital in Taiwan there’ll be dispensing pharmacies in the vicinity. Write down Allegra on a piece of paper. If you say it they’ll think you mean Viagra 
. Otherwise point to your nose and say “bizi guoming”. Right now allergies are hitting hard because of the rapid weather changes.
oh if you’re in Taipei head to the City Super in the basement of the big green Sogo (Zhongxiao/Fuxing). They deffo have Allegra there, 100 a strip max.
If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hangzhou Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.
However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month. 
[quote=“Icon”]If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hangzhou Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.
However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month. 
[/quote]
Yes and Thanks! I am in Taipei. Do you need a prescription or show them the National Insurance card to buy Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin?
I don’t have a card yet.
Even if I do have a card, I don’t know if I have time to go see a doctor…maybe one of the family practitioners that stay open till 9pm. That is one thing about Taiwan over the US is that the doctors and dentists offices stay open late.
[quote=“Icon”]If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hangzhou Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.
However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month. [/quote]
Yes and Thanks! I am in Taipei. Do you need a prescription or show them the National Insurance card to buy Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin?
I don’t have a card yet.
Even if I do have a card, I don’t know if I have time to go see a doctor…maybe one of the family practitioners that stay open till 9pm. That is one thing about Taiwan over the US is that the doctors and dentists offices stay open late.[/quote]
Nah its all OTC. Buy at least 3 strips so you don’t run out.
3 strips? We buy 3 boxes on one trip. 
PapaAzucar, then wait until you have the NHI to go to the hospital/doctor. Normal visit to a doctor with NHI is 150nts, average. Without? Over 600nts.
Take into consideration that the doctor may prescribe a generic of the same medication -the generic for Zyrtec, for instance.
[quote=“Icon”]If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hengyang Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.
However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month. [/quote]
EDIT: address: 衡陽路32號 / Héngyáng Lù 32 Hào / Hengyang Rd., No. 32
Take Zhonghe Line to National Taiwan University Hospital Station, cross 228 park towards Hengyang road.
[quote=“Icon”]EDIT: address: 衡陽路32號 / Héngyáng Lù 32 Hào / Hengyang Rd., No. 32
Take Zhonghe Line to National Taiwan University Hospital Station, cross 228 park towards Hengyang road.[/quote]
Thanks Icon!!!
I finally had the chance to stop by this pharmacy. The English sign said something like Viceroy (???), and not Shanghai Pharmacy, but I found it based on the address No. 32 Hengyang Rd.
It has about 90% of the stuff that I get from the US, but cheaper.
Boy…how the drug industry is raping the US consumers.
What are normally prescription medicine in the US can be bought without a prescription here, which is pretty interesting.
I’m not sure how well this system would translate in the US–maybe drive down the health care costs?
Heaven forbid that US have affordable health care…
I need to go for all the tests when I get back. Any hospital or doctor recommendations and do I need to see a GP first for a referral to an allergist or just ask to see one when I register?
I’m based in central Taiwan, so Taichung Veterans General Hospital (VGH) is my recommendation. Basically any hospital with outpatient clinics of allergist/rheumatologist should have most of the tests, but there’re even more in Taichung VGH, which are very complete in my opinion. But you’d better bear in mind that under the pressure of NHI, most doctors would do some preliminary tests before going thoroughly, not to mention that it costs higher in medical center and you have to wait longer. And if you are very sure about your problem, it’s not compulsory to go to the GP first for a referral.
do you guys use that nasal cleaner torture machine? It’s really good. You can buy it at some pharmacies. You place some salt and water into the bottle, then shove a pipe up your nose and it runs through and out the other nostril. Cleared a headache I couldn’t get rid of with meds. And found a lost remote control. Awesome stuff.
I’m based in central Taiwan, so Taichung Veterans General Hospital (VGH) is my recommendation. Basically any hospital with outpatient clinics of allergist/rheumatologist should have most of the tests, but there’re even more in Taichung VGH, which are very complete in my opinion. But you’d better bear in mind that under the pressure of NHI, most doctors would do some preliminary tests before going thoroughly, not to mention that it costs higher in medical center and you have to wait longer. And if you are very sure about your problem, it’s not compulsory to go to the GP first for a referral.[/quote]
Thanks. Do you mean I have to pay for the tests, or just that you pay a higher service fee at hospitals?
[quote=“Mucha Man”]
Thanks. Do you mean I have to pay for the tests, or just that you pay a higher service fee at hospitals?[/quote]
Sorry, I didn’t make it clearer 
. And no, you don’t have to pay for “most” of the tests. But some of the allergen-identifying kits, especially for the rare allergens, are not under the coverage of NHI. And yes, you just have to pay a higher service fee at that kind of hospitals.
[quote=“kau826”][quote=“Muzha Man”]
Thanks. Do you mean I have to pay for the tests, or just that you pay a higher service fee at hospitals?[/quote]
Sorry, I didn’t make it clearer . And no, you don’t have to pay for “most” of the tests. But some of the allergen-identifying kits, especially for the rare allergens, are not under the coverage of NHI. And yes, you just have to pay a higher service fee at that kind of hospitals.[/quote]
Thanks. I’m pretty sure my allergies are standard mold, dust and pollens. Especially mold.
[quote=“Icon”]If you are in Taipei, go to Shanghai Pharmacy, on Hangzhou Road, they have the best prices for Allegra and Zyrtec.
However, most hospitals have decent allergy doctors, who can do all the battery of tests required for a small fee, very cheap, and get you a nice supply of Zyrtec for the consultation fee. I get mine at my next door ENT and for 150nts, I get a month. [/quote]
You get a month worth of supply?? How? I just came back from a dermatologist who prescribed me Allegra for my skin allergies, but only for 3 days. I asked if I could have more and she said the NHI only covers 3 days at a time, or you can self-pay and get more.
Luckily I work near this Shanghai Pharmacy you mentioned :discodance: Will definitely make a trip one of these days, so thanks for the tip!
I get three months supply of allergy and asthma meds from my docs. I guess you guys don’t have the good docs.