It surprised me recently when friend who is a long-term resident in Mazatlán shared with me that she didn’t know how to get sleeping pills in Mexico, a task I’m familiar with in all its guises.

In the US, you’ll need to set up an appointment with your doctor (as if you need a diagnosis for a condition that’s likely haunted you for decades). In Mexico, you drop by a consultorios, tiny little doctors offices, usually next door to pharmacies. The doctor should charge you no more 300 pesos, or about $15 dollars for a visit. (If they charge more, you’re in a tourist zone and have to decide if the convenience is worth the extra money).

The real frustration with consultorios is that their schedules can be really erratic. Given the tiny office and the solitary nature of the job, it’s no wonder they wander. They likely go stir crazy. Often office hours aren’t even posted. Some are open on Sundays.

If you’re fortunate enough to get by with an occasional Xanax to sleep, be aware this brand isn’t available in Mexico. The scientific name to ask for is Alprazola, which runs about $20 dollars for a month prescription. Ambien, called Zolpidem in Mexico, is more expensive, running $800 pesos/$40 dollars for 30 10 mil tabs.

Risks associated with Ambien and other opiates has changed medical protocol over the last few years and it’s considered a controlled substance in Mexico, just like in the US. You can get 10 milligrams a day prescription for 30 days, whereas in the U.S. prescribed dosage is only five milligrams.

If you are bringing Ambien with you from the US, technically you are only allowed to bring in 90 days worth of prescriptions over the border. You will not be able to fill a prescription of 90 days of Ambien from your US doctor to take with you (believe me I’ve tried)

Mexican doctors are supposed to write only 30-day prescriptions for these drugs but systems are not linked so it just means you can to go to several doctors if you want to stock up. The doctor will give you a specific type and only that specific type will get filled. When I got a prescription for a certain brand in Guadalajara, and tried to have it filled in Mazatlán, it was impossible to find that brand. I had to start all over with another visit to local consultorio.

Pharmacists are supposed to take the prescription from you when you fill it so that you can’t use script again. Often, however, they neglect to do so (Thank god, or I’d spend half my life at this.)

Plan on getting any Mexican prescription well ahead of running out, in case you have problems in finding a consultario with a comprehensible schedule or run into complications such as the ones I have only alluded to. Once you get to Mexico, if you’re going to need Ambien, you’d better get busy.

I remember years ago how easy it was to get a number of prescription drugs over the counter in Mexico. That has changed substantially.

God, I miss the 80’s.

About the author:

Kerry Baker is the author of several books. The second book is “If Only I Had a Place,” giving you the benefits, pitfalls and opportunities of renting long-term in Mexico. The Mexico Solution: How to save your money, sanity and quality of life through part-time life in Mexico, is the cumulation of all I know, love and want to teach you about expat life.

Her most recent book, “The Lazy Expat: Healthy Recipes That Translate in Mexico” is a cookbook for travelers, snowbirds and expats. (spoiler: to maintain a healthy diet in Mexico, you must cook.)