Mention the symptom and the duration
At the pharmacy it helps a lot if you say right away what the problem is and how long you have had it.
Practical language for medication, dosage, side effects, and quick questions at the pharmacy.
Short cues that help immediately in a stressful real-life moment.
At the pharmacy it helps a lot if you say right away what the problem is and how long you have had it.
That information is often important before a pharmacist recommends a medicine.
It is worth asking one more time, especially for tablets, drops, and medicines for children.
If one product is unavailable, ask for a similar active ingredient instead of only asking for the same brand.
Short scripts for common moments you are likely to face on site.
You need something for a common problem.
I need something for a cough. Do you have something without a prescription?
It should ideally not make me tired.
You want to be sure how to take the medicine.
How often should I take this and for how long?
Before meals or after meals?
You come back or ask for an alternative.
Unfortunately the medicine is not helping. Is there an alternative?
Should I go to a doctor instead?
You want medication for a specific real-life use case.
I am looking for something for the night so I can sleep better.
It should not make me too tired the next morning.
Short, useful lines you can actually say out loud.
I would like something for headaches.
Hello, I would like something for headaches. What do you recommend?
Is this medication available without prescription?
Is this medication available without prescription or do I need a prescription?
How often do I have to take this?
How often do I have to take this? – Three times daily after meals.
Are there side effects?
Are there side effects I should watch out for?
Do you have something herbal?
Do you also have something herbal for sleep problems?
I'm picking up a prescription.
Hello, I'm picking up a prescription. My name is Müller.
I have had a bad cough for two days.
I have had a bad cough for two days and I am looking for something for it.
Can I take this during pregnancy?
Can I take this medication during pregnancy?
Do you have something for children?
Do you have something for children with a fever?
Should I rather go to a doctor with this?
If it gets worse, should I rather go to a doctor with this?
I am looking for something for a sore throat.
I am looking for something for a sore throat, preferably without sugar.
May I take this together with other medication?
May I take this together with my other medication?
Is there a cheaper alternative to this?
Is there a cheaper alternative to this with the same active ingredient?
Could you show me how to use this?
Could you briefly show me how to use the nasal spray correctly?
Core nouns and terms that come up again and again in this situation.
side effect
What side effects does this medication have?
package insert
Please read the package insert.
dosage
What is the dosage for children?
painkiller
Do you have a painkiller without prescription?
ointment
The ointment must be applied twice daily.
cough syrup
I would like a cough syrup.
tablet / pill
You take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
drops
The drops help well against dry eyes.
prescription requirement
This medication requires a prescription.
female pharmacist
The pharmacist explains the correct dosage to you.
nasal spray
You should only use the nasal spray for a few days.
lozenge
These lozenges help well with a sore throat.
active ingredient
The active ingredient is the same in both products.
thermometer
You can measure the temperature at home with a thermometer.
Natural wording for the follow-up questions people ask all the time in this situation.
A simple line is: Do you have something without a prescription for headaches, a cough, or allergies?
Name the context directly: Is this suitable during pregnancy, for children, or together with this other medicine?
Say: Could you explain again exactly how I should take this?
Essential phrases and vocabulary for appointments, symptoms, prescriptions, and follow-up questions at the doctor.
Phrases and vocabulary for medical emergencies, the emergency call, theft, lost documents, and help at the police station.