I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about three years ago, and was prescribed a combination of Wellbutrin and Topamax. This is a very odd combination of drugs (Topamax is actually an anticonvulsant), but it was the only one that worked and had no sexual side affects and did not lead to weight gain.
I went off my medication about 8 months ago after losing my health insurance in the US. However, recent episodes have led me to believe that I need to get back on them ASAP. My question is thus - if I visit a psychiatrist here in Taiwan, would it be easy for me to request the same medication? Or will I likely need to argue with the doctor? Also, does anyone know of a good psychiatrist in the Hsinchu area?
[quote=“kardisa”]I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about three years ago, and was prescribed a combination of Wellbutrin and Topamax. This is a very odd combination of drugs (Topamax is actually an anticonvulsant), but it was the only one that worked and had no sexual side affects and did not lead to weight gain.
I went off my medication about 8 months ago after losing my health insurance in the US. However, recent episodes have led me to believe that I need to get back on them ASAP. My question is thus - if I visit a psychiatrist here in Taiwan, would it be easy for me to request the same medication? Or will I likely need to argue with the doctor? Also, does anyone know of a good psychiatrist in the Hsinchu area?
Thanks![/quote]
The Topamax might sound weird but anti-convulsants are sometimes prescribed for bi-polar disorder in Taiwan as elsewhere. It should be no problem to get these drugs or generic equivalents. I had a girlfriend here with bi-polar disorder and she was prescribed the same type combination anti-depressant/anti-convulsant. Topamax isn’t FDA approved for treatment of BPD however so might also not be on the NHI list accessed by psychiatrists.
If all else fails you could try just walking into the larger dispensing pharmacies found in the vicinity of hospitals. They’re generally happy to sell you anything they hold in stock; no prescription necessary.