Pharmacy & Health

1. ¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a Spanish-speaking pharmacy (farmacia)

   Grammar Note

   "¿Tiene algo para...?" = "Do you have something for...?" Works in both Spain and Latin America

2. Necesito un medicamento para el estómago

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Necesito..." = "I need..." is direct. "Para el estómago" (for the stomach) specifies the area

3. Necesito un antidiarreico

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Algo para la diarrea" is also clear. In Latin America "para el estómago revuelto" (upset stomach) is also used

4. Tengo fiebre

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Tengo fiebre" = "I have a fever" — the most common way to describe fever in Spanish

5. Tengo alergia

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Soy alérgico/a a..." = "I am allergic to...". "Alérgico" for male, "alérgica" for female

6. Necesito tiritas

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Tiritas" is common in Spain. In Latin America, "curitas" or "banditas" are regional alternatives

7. Necesito repelente de insectos

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Repelente de mosquitos" is more specific for mosquitoes. In tropical areas, pharmacists often recommend DEET-based products

8. Necesito protector solar

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Crema solar" or "bloqueador solar" are alternatives. SPF is "factor de protección solar (FPS)"

9. ¿Cómo se toma este medicamento?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Tomar" = take/ingest medicine. "¿Cuántas veces al día?" (how many times per day?) is a useful follow-up

10. ¿Necesito receta médica?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Con receta" (with prescription) vs "sin receta" (without prescription/OTC) are common pharmacy terms

11. un termómetro

    A thermometer

    Usage

    Show it at a pharmacy when buying a thermometer

12. una venda

    A bandage

    Usage

    A roll-on bandage; small adhesive plasters are "tiritas" in Spain and "curitas" in Latin America

13. el desinfectante

    Disinfectant

    Usage

    Show it when asking for something to disinfect a wound

14. una mascarilla

    A face mask

    Usage

    Spain says "mascarilla", Mexico "cubrebocas", Colombia and Argentina "tapabocas"

15. las toallas sanitarias

    Sanitary pads

    Usage

    The Latin American term; Spain says "compresas". Tampons are "los tampones"

16. los preservativos

    Condoms

    Usage

    Also "los condones" in Latin America; it is a false friend of English "preservative"

17. las gotas para los ojos

    Eye drops

    Usage

    Understood everywhere; the pharmaceutical term is "el colirio"

18. un parche antiinflamatorio

    Anti-inflammatory patch

    Usage

    The stick-on pain patch for shoulders and back — the closest product to a Japanese "shippu"

19. un antipirético

    Fever reducer

    Usage

    Understood at any pharmacy; what you actually get is usually paracetamol

20. Un laxante, por favor

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Use at a pharmacy counter. "Laxante" is the standard word for a medicine that eases bowel movements

    Grammar Note

    A short request of item + "por favor". It is the opposite medicine to "Necesito un antidiarreico"

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