German at the pharmacy
Practical language for medication, dosage, side effects, and quick questions at the pharmacy.
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.
Mention allergies or pregnancy early
That information is often important before a pharmacist recommends a medicine.
Ask them to repeat the dosage
It is worth asking one more time, especially for tablets, drops, and medicines for children.
Compare active ingredient and brand
If one product is unavailable, ask for a similar active ingredient instead of only asking for the same brand.
Looking for something without a prescription
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.
Understanding dosage
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?
When something is not helping
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?
Looking for something for the night
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.
How do I ask for medicine without a prescription?
A simple line is: Do you have something without a prescription for headaches, a cough, or allergies?
How do I ask if the medicine fits my situation?
Name the context directly: Is this suitable during pregnancy, for children, or together with this other medicine?
How do I say that I did not understand the instructions?
Say: Could you explain again exactly how I should take this?
What is the difference between an E-Rezept and a paper prescription, and how do I redeem it?
Since 2024 doctors in Germany issue E-Rezepte (e-prescriptions) as standard. You can redeem one by presenting your Krankenkasse card (eGK) at the pharmacy, or by showing the QR code from your doctor's app or the ePA app. A paper printout is also possible but is no longer the default.
What does Rabattvertrag mean, and can I still request a specific generic?
Krankenkassen sign rebate contracts (Rabattverträge) with manufacturers, which means the pharmacy must usually dispense a specific generic variant. You can insist on a different product for medical reasons – for example if you have a known intolerance to an excipient. For that, the doctor should tick the aut-idem box on the prescription to prevent substitution.
How do I find out which pharmacy is currently on Notdienst?
Every pharmacy must post a notice at its door showing which pharmacy is on Notdienst that night or weekend. You can also visit apothekennotdienst.de or call 0800 00 22 833 (free of charge) to find the nearest pharmacy on duty.
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These texts are for language learning and general orientation only and may be simplified or out of date — they are not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice. Some content is AI-generated. Please confirm important details with the responsible authority or a qualified professional.