Can travelers buy methotrexate without a prescription in Istanbul pharmacies?

There is firsthand experience of buying methotrexate in Turkey without a prescription for a family member on several occasions. This does not guarantee that every Istanbul pharmacy will dispense it.

As this is considered a serious, potent medicine, the more reliable approach is to see a rheumatologist in Istanbul and obtain a local prescription before trying to buy it.

For medicines normally issued on a standard “white” prescription, Turkish pharmacies may sometimes sell without a prescription, particularly to foreign visitors, but this depends on the medicine and the individual pharmacy.

Expect to check directly with pharmacies, as no single service for checking stock of a specific medicine across pharmacies was identified.