Lost prescription in Puerto Rico, or forgot your medication? What to do
If you have a lost prescription in Puerto Rico or left your medication at home, first ask a pharmacy on the island whether it can transfer your prescription from your usual pharmacy. If that isn't possible, the doctor can see you by video and, if appropriate, prescribe a non-controlled medicine. We do not prescribe controlled substances: for those, call the doctor who prescribed them.
Can we help by telehealth? Sometimes: it depends on the evaluation.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Chest pain, trouble breathing or stroke signs
- Very high or very low blood sugar with confusion, vomiting or extreme tiredness, if you use insulin or other diabetes medicines
- Seizures, if you take seizure medicine and ran out
- Severe symptoms after suddenly stopping a medicine (shaking, confusion, agitation)
- An asthma attack that won't ease, if you have no rescue inhaler
Help lines:
- 911 — Emergencies
- 1-800-981-0023 — Línea PAS (mental-health crisis line)
- 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- 1-800-222-1222 — Poison Help
Step 1: ask a pharmacy about a transfer
If your prescription has refills left at your usual pharmacy, another pharmacy can sometimes request a transfer. The rules depend on the medicine, the pharmacy and your plan, so ask at the pharmacy counter before you pay for a visit.
Have ready:
- The medicine bottle or a clear photo of the label.
- Your usual pharmacy's name, address and phone number.
- The prescription number, if you have it.
- Your ID, and your insurance card if you have one.
Lost prescription in Puerto Rico: when a video visit helps
If the pharmacy can't transfer it, or your prescription has expired, Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD can see you in an online doctor visit while you are physically in Puerto Rico. If appropriate, the doctor can prescribe medication. We do not prescribe controlled substances. The visit costs US$79 and a prescription has no extra charge.
The doctor decides based on your history and situation; this may mean enough to bridge you until you are back with your own doctor. To make it easier, have a photo of the label, the dose you take and any recent readings (such as blood pressure or blood sugar). See prescription refills.
What we can't prescribe
We do not prescribe controlled substances, such as some medicines for pain, anxiety, sleep or ADHD. If you left one of those at home, call the doctor who prescribed it or your usual pharmacy and ask about your options.
We also don't renew by video medicines that need tests or monitoring that can't be done in time. See what we don't do by telehealth.
Pharmacies: store hours are not pharmacy hours
Several Walgreens stores in the San Juan metro area are open 24 hours, but their pharmacy counters are not. In Condado (1130 Ave Ashford), for example, the store is open 24 hours and the pharmacy is not. In Isla Verde (5984 Ave Isla Verde), the pharmacy is open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
The nearest 24-hour pharmacy counter we verified in the metro area is in Guaynabo, 2505 Carr 841 (787-287-0528); it closes from 1:30 to 2am. Confirm hours before you go.
Children's medicines
If the medicine is for a child, have their recent weight ready, since many doses depend on weight. We see patients from 6 months old. If the patient is under 21, a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian must be on camera for the whole visit. See video visits for children.
Next time you travel
Carry medicines in your carry-on, in their original containers, with a few extra days' supply, and keep a photo of each label and a medication list on your phone. Visiting? See sick on vacation in Puerto Rico. On a cruise? See the cruise passenger guide.
Video visit: US$79 · Pay by card · See the price and what is included
Before you book
- You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors and tourists are welcome).
- We see patients from 6 months old. Patients under 21: a parent or legal guardian must be on camera for the whole visit.
- Real-time video only; we do not do phone-call visits.
- We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you prescribe a medicine I left at home?
- If it is a non-controlled medicine and you are in Puerto Rico, the doctor can see you by video and prescribe it if appropriate. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
- Can I transfer my prescription to a pharmacy in Puerto Rico?
- Sometimes. Ask at the pharmacy counter on the island, and bring the bottle or a photo of the label and your usual pharmacy's details.
- Is there a 24-hour pharmacy in San Juan?
- Several stores are open 24 hours, but their pharmacies close earlier. The nearest 24-hour pharmacy counter we verified in the metro area is in Guaynabo, at 2505 Carr 841.
- Can you prescribe my anxiety or sleep medicine?
- Not if it is a controlled substance. Call the doctor who prescribed it or your usual pharmacy.
Sources
- Walgreens: 24-hour pharmacies near San Juan (store locator) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Walgreens: 24-hour stores in Condado (store locator) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Walgreens 5984 Ave Isla Verde (store locator) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Cruise ship travel, CDC Yellow Book (CDC) (accessed 2026-09-30)