{"id":30204,"date":"2017-01-09T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2017-01-09T15:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selectitaly.com\/blog\/?p=24204"},"modified":"2021-01-19T10:44:07","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T10:44:07","slug":"essential-guide-counter-medicines-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selectitaly.com\/blog\/tips-travelers\/essential-guide-counter-medicines-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Essential Guide to Over the Counter Medicines in Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Farmaci da banco<\/em>\u2019 is the name for over the counter medicines in Italy<\/strong>;\u00a0those medications you can buy without a doctor\u2019s prescription because they cure minor ailments.<\/p>\n

Over the counter medicines in Italy can be found in pharmacies, drugstores (parafarmacie<\/em>) and in the \u2018health corners\u2019 of major supermarkets. OTC medicines\u00a0are displayed on the shelves accessible to customers, or on the shelves just behind the counter.<\/p>\n

Head to the pharmacy (farmacia<\/em> in Italian) for minor aches and pains, cold or flu, aspirin, vitamins, herbal remedies and non-critical emergencies. You will recognize the Italian pharmacy by the green cross that lights up intermittently outside the store \u2013 all pharmacies in Italy have them.<\/p>\n

It is handy to know the names for the most common over the counter medicines in Italy so that if you get a pounding headache, fever, a cut that doesn\u2019t heal or awful indigestion, you know quickly what to ask the pharmacist (farmacista<\/em>) or look for in the store. You will need to interact with the pharmacist for most over the counter medicines in Italy, even if you don\u2019t need a prescription to buy them. Don\u2019t be discouraged: Italian pharmacists will be happy to advise you on the best treatment for you.<\/p>\n

\"over<\/p>\n

Guide to Over the Counter Medicines in Italy<\/h2>\n

Ibuprofen (Advil)<\/h3>\n

Used for treating pain, fever, and inflammation \u2013 Italian equivalent: Moment<\/em>, or Brufen<\/em>. Useful for headache, teeth pain and menstrual cramps<\/strong>, it is sold in tablets (called pastiglie <\/em>or compresse<\/em>). Also, Nurofen<\/em> for fever and pain in children, sold as a syrup.<\/p>\n

Acetaminophen\/Paracetamol (Tylenol\/Panadol)<\/h3>\n

Used to treat minor pain and fever<\/strong> \u2013 Italian equivalent: Tachipirina<\/em> 500mg (for 1,000 mg pills, you\u2019ll need a prescription). Tachipirina is normally used to bring down a high fever; there is also Tachipirina for babies in the form of suppositories (supposte<\/em>). Another option is Efferalgan<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Antihistamine\/Cetirizine (Benadryl\/Zyrtec)<\/h3>\n

Used to treat allergies<\/strong>, runny nose and for relief from itching \u2013 the Italian equivalent is\u00a0Zirtec<\/em> (same, just with an \u2018i\u2019 instead of a ‘y’).<\/p>\n

Heartburn\/Indigestion (Zantac\/Gaviscon)<\/h3>\n

Used to reduce stomach acid \u2013 Italian equivalent: Gaviscon<\/em> and Maalox<\/em>. Heartburn in Italian is \u201cbruciore di stomaco<\/em>\u201d (stomach burn). There\u2019s also Citrosodina<\/em>, made with sodium bicarbonate, to protect against indigestion.<\/p>\n

Other useful products<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • For disinfecting cuts<\/strong> (tagli<\/em>): Citrosil<\/em>, Betadine<\/em>, Mercuro Cromo<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  • Band-aids are called cerotti<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  • Cuts that get infected or take long to heal: Gentalyn Beta<\/em> (cream).<\/li>\n
  • Itchy dermatitis, sunburn and insect bites<\/strong>: Polaramin<\/em> (cream).<\/li>\n
  • Diarrhea (diarrhea): Imodium<\/em> (same as in the U.S.).<\/li>\n
  • Vomiting: Plasil.<\/em><\/li>\n
  • Rehydrating solution: Dicodral.<\/em><\/li>\n
  • If you have a sore throat<\/strong>, try Benagol<\/em> lozenges. As a spray or gargle, use Tantum Verde<\/em> for pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment of the mouth and throat.<\/li>\n
  • For cough: Tussistin<\/em>, Bisolvon<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  • Sleeping aids: Melatonina<\/em> (melatonin), which is especially effective for jet-lag. A herbal remedy is valeriana<\/em> (valerian).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Don\u2019t be afraid to approach the pharmacist for advice<\/strong>; you can usually find at least one employee who speaks some English, especially in the more touristy areas. And make sure you understand the recommended dose \u2013 ask, if it’s not clear.<\/p>\n

    A final word of advice: if you take any prescription medication<\/strong>, always remember to take a sufficient supply with you during your Italian trip. Carry the medications in their original container, keep them in your carry-on bag along with your doctor\u2019s prescription and a description of the medical problem and know the active ingredient of the medication. This will help you in case any medical issues are encountered during your vacation in Italy.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u2018Farmaci da banco\u2019 is the name for over the counter medicines in Italy;\u00a0those medications you can buy without a doctor\u2019s prescription because they cure minor ailments. Over the counter medicines in Italy can be found in pharmacies, drugstores (parafarmacie) and in the \u2018health corners\u2019 of major supermarkets. OTC medicines\u00a0are displayed on the shelves accessible to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":30220,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[424],"tags":[2760],"class_list":["post-30204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-travelers","tag-over-the-counter-medicines-in-italy"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Essential Guide to Over the Counter Medicines in Italy - It's All About Italy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/selectitaly.com\/blog\/tips-travelers\/essential-guide-counter-medicines-italy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Essential Guide to Over the Counter Medicines in Italy - It's All About Italy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u2018Farmaci da banco\u2019 is the name for over the counter medicines in Italy;\u00a0those medications you can buy without a doctor\u2019s prescription because they cure minor ailments. 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