Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

I've just come from the US on a business visit, and I have a feeling my ear is going to become infected after a very painful flight.

I'm wondering how easy it is to obtain amoxicillin/augmentin/penicillin equivalent in dubai. I would like to be able to do this without a doctor's visit- I just want to stop by a pharmacy in Dubai Mall tomorrow and pick it up. Is this possible? Or do I need a doctor's visit?

they are over the counter (otc) drugs. you can buy them without prescription. i bought many times augmentin. just make sure you know exactly the dosage, better to ask the pharmacist. but if it's severe pain, better to see the doctor (cost 100-300)

Just walk in to a pharmacy and ask for it. Generally for people who have RECURRENT ear infections, it is not even a medical requirement that they visit a Dr. unless they are unsure of their symptoms. If you know what you have and it isn't the first time you have experienced this, there is probably no need to go to the Dr. just for him/her to tell you that you have otitis. I recommend Augmentin 625 or 1g because penicillin and amoxicillin (on its own) don't work here as well as they do in the U.S. It has nothing to do with the drugs themselves, the bacteria here just seem to be more resistant to older antibiotics. Bear in mind though, if this is your first ear infection or if you are experiencing any symptoms that are unusual to you, it might be best to visit an ENT specialist (general practitioners here are absolutely useless).

An advantage of living in Dubai is that you can buy some prescription drugs over the counter.
A disadvantage of living in Dubai is that you can buy some prescription drugs over the counter...

... so the temptation to do a self diagnosis is there. I'd agree with dee7o and say go to an ENT specialist to be safe.