Spanish at the Pharmacy: Ask for Medicine With Confidence
Pharmacy Spanish for travelers: asking for medicine, describing symptoms, dosage instructions and common over-the-counter products.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
In many Spanish-speaking countries, pharmacists are a first stop for minor health problems. These phrases help you get the right help quickly.
Asking for help
- Buenos días. Necesito algo para el dolor de cabeza. — I need something for a headache.
- ¿Qué me recomienda para la tos? — What do you recommend for a cough?
- ¿Necesito receta? — Do I need a prescription?
- ¿Tiene algo sin receta? — Do you have something over the counter?
Common needs
| You need something for… | Spanish |
|---|---|
| headache | el dolor de cabeza |
| fever | la fiebre |
| cold | el resfriado |
| sore throat | el dolor de garganta |
| stomach ache | el dolor de estómago |
| upset stomach / diarrhea | el malestar estomacal / la diarrea |
| allergies | la alergia |
| mosquito bites | las picaduras de mosquito |
| sunburn | las quemaduras de sol |
| motion sickness | el mareo |
Products
- analgésico — painkiller
- ibuprofeno, paracetamol — ibuprofen, acetaminophen
- jarabe para la tos — cough syrup
- pastillas para la garganta — throat lozenges
- suero oral — oral rehydration salts
- crema / pomada — cream / ointment
- curitas (Latin America) / tiritas (Spain) — bandages
- protector solar — sunscreen
- repelente — insect repellent
Dosage instructions
- Tome una pastilla cada ocho horas. — Take one pill every eight hours.
- Dos veces al día. — Twice a day.
- Con comida / en ayunas. — With food / on an empty stomach.
- No más de tres al día. — No more than three a day.
Important information
- Soy alérgico/a a… — I'm allergic to…
- Estoy embarazada. — I'm pregnant.
- Es para un niño de cinco años. — It's for a five-year-old.
Always check dosages and ask a doctor for anything serious.
Dialogue
- Farmacéutico: Buenas tardes. ¿Qué necesita?
- You: Algo para la garganta. Me duele mucho.
- Farmacéutico: ¿Tiene fiebre?
- You: No, solo dolor.
- Farmacéutico: Estas pastillas son buenas. Una cada cuatro horas.
Practice
Explaining symptoms is easier after rehearsal. Lolo's doctor situation helps you practice describing how you feel and understanding advice. See Spanish at the doctor and emergency Spanish phrases.
Frequently asked questions
How do you ask for painkillers in Spanish?
¿Tiene algo para el dolor? or ask for ibuprofeno or paracetamol.
Do I need a prescription?
It depends on the country and the medicine. Ask: ¿Necesito receta?
How do you say "bandage" in Spanish?
Curita in Latin America, tirita in Spain.
