I haven’t been in Spain for long, and the other night I suddenly had an upset stomach. I wanted to find some medicine, but I realized I had nothing on hand, and all the nearby pharmacies were closed. It was such a desperate feeling. Afterwards, I specifically went to a Farmacia to ask for advice and, combined with the experiences of friends, I’ve put together a list of essential over-the-counter drugs and a guide on [medical supply prices] for a home medicine cabinet. I’m sharing this with friends who are new or planning to come to Spain—it’s always better to be prepared.
Essential Medicines for Common Minor Ailments
In Spain, the green cross sign of a pharmacy (Farmacia) is very prominent. For most common minor issues like headaches, fevers, indigestion, or allergies, you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) medicine directly at the pharmacy. The pharmacists are very professional; you can describe your symptoms to them, and they will recommend a suitable medication. I’ve summarized some of the most common ones below:
Pain and Fever Reducers
These are the absolute basics that you should always have at home. There are mainly two types:
- Ibuprofeno: Besides reducing pain and fever, it also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for things like toothaches and joint pain. Common brands include Nurofen and Espidifen.
- Paracetamol: This is mainly for reducing fever and relieving pain. It doesn’t have anti-inflammatory effects and is gentler on the stomach than ibuprofen. The most common brands are Gelocatil and Efferalgan.
Digestive System Remedies
Spanish food is delicious, but sometimes it might not agree with you or you might get indigestion from overeating. For those curious about costs, a medicine price lookup tool can be useful.
- Almax: This is practically the national antacid. It’s used to neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn and indigestion. Taking one when you feel heartburn after a meal works very quickly.
- Fortasec: A strong anti-diarrhea medication. You can use it for acute diarrhea, but don’t use it indiscriminately. It’s best to first consult a pharmacist to see if it might be a bacterial infection.
Other Essential Medical Supplies
Besides medication, it’s also advisable to keep some basic medical supplies on hand for emergencies. You can buy these items at pharmacies or in the dedicated sections of larger supermarkets.
| Category | Recommended Items | Primary Use |
|---|
| Wound Care | Tiritas (Band-Aids), Betadine | Treating minor cuts and scrapes, disinfecting to prevent infection |
| Allergy Relief | Suero fisiológico (Saline solution) | Rinsing eyes and nose, relieving allergy discomfort |
| Sun & Insect | Repelente de mosquitos (Mosquito repellent), Crema solar (Sunscreen) | The mosquitos and sun in Spanish summers can be quite intense |
| Other Tools | Termómetro (Thermometer), Pinzas (Tweezers) | Measuring body temperature, removing splinters or other foreign objects |
Important Reminder: Regarding Spanish medical supplies, it’s crucial to remember that if your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, don’t just tough it out—be sure to see a doctor promptly. This is especially true if you have health insurance, as booking an appointment with your family doctor (médico de cabecera) is very convenient. This list is only intended for dealing with sudden, non-serious situations. We hope everyone stays healthy and well in Spain!
