Pharmacy interior with shalldow depth of field (leaf (123RF))
A pharmacy in Germany is called an “Apotheke,” and is easily identified by a large, red “A” and often times a green cross. An Apotheke must be owned and operated by a trained pharmacist. One pharmacist may only own three Apotheken, so there are not chain drugstores in Germany. Note that a “Drogerie,” which literally translates as drugstore, does not sell medicine. It is a shop for toiletries and personal items.
How to get medicine at an Apotheke:
Speak to the pharmacist at the counter. Many pharmacists know English, but it’s helpful to be prepared with a rough idea of the German terms and to have a translation app.
If you need something “over the counter” without a prescription, you will need to describe the symptoms as you would to a doctor. Pharmacists are highly trained in choosing the proper medicines, including those typically sold on shelves in the U.S.
If you have a written prescription from a German doctor, you can simply hand it to the pharmacist.
The pharmacist will retrieve the medicine. At an Apotheke, all medications, including non-prescription drugs and homeopathic products, are kept on shelves or large drawers behind the counter or in a back room. If a medicine you need is not in stock, it can usually be ordered for pick up in a few hours or the following day.
The pharmacist will bring out one or more medicinal options. The pharmacist may offer you a few choices, including homeopathic remedies or generic medicines, and will explain the differences. In addition, there may be multiple sizes of the same medicine and you can choose which you’d like to buy. It is not rude to ask the cost. Expect them to explain dosage and use. There will be a paper in the package that explains these details in a few languages (not always English).
Pay for the medicine at the counter with the pharmacist. If there were other things in the store you wanted to buy, you can pay for them with your medicine or bring them up for a separate check out.
Many Apotheken are closed evenings, Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays. However, except in small villages, there will be one Apotheke open for emergency services at any time. This duty will often rotate.
Visit www.apotheken.de/apotheken-und-notdienste-suchen to search for your nearest open pharmacy.
These common over-the-counter medications are available at the Apotheke. Consult the pharmacist or your doctor for proper use and dosage.
Antacid
Generic: Aluminiumhydroxid
Brand: Maaloxan
Generic: Calcium Carbonate
Brand: Rennie Kautabletten
Antidiarrheal
Generic: Loperamid-Hcl 2 mg
Brand: Lopedium akut
Antifungal (foot)
Generic: Terbinafin
Brand: Lamisil spray/creme/gel
Generic: Clotrimazol
Brand: Canesten spray/creme
Generic: Bifonazol
Brand: Canesten Extra spray/creme
Antifungal (jock itch)
Generic: Ketoconazol
Brand: Nizoral creme/shampoo
Antifungal (vaginal)
Generic: Clotrimazol
Brands: KadeFungin 3, Canesten GYN
Antihistamine
Generic: Loratadin
Brand: Claritin
Generic: Cetirizin
Brand: Zyrtec
Artificial Tears
Generic: Hypromellose/Polyvidon
Brand: Lacrisic Augentropfen
Children’s Pain / Fever Reducer
Generic: Ibuprofen
Brand: Nurofen Junior Fiebersaft
Generic: Tylenol or Paracetamol
Brands: Ben-u-ron Saft, Paracetamol Saft
Common Warts
Generic: Dimethyl ether
Brands: Wartner
Constipation
Generic: Macrogol (Polyethylene Glycol)
Brand: Laxoberal sachet/tablets/drops
Cough Medicine
Generic: Dextrmoethorphan
Brand: Wick Formel 44 syrup/lozenges
Ear Wax Remover
Generic: Docusat-Natrium
Brand: Otowaxol Lösung
Head Lice
Generic: Permethrin
Brand: Infectopedicul
Oral Electrolyte Replacement (adults)
Generic ingredients: sodium, potassium chloride and glucose.
Brand: Elotrans Pulver
Saline Nasal Spray
Generic: Sodium Chloride
Brand: Emser Nasenspray
Throat Lozenges
Brand: Lemocin (with Lidocain), Brand: DoloDobendan (with Benzocain)
Topical Anesthetics
Active Ingredient: Lidocain, Brand: Kamistad-Gel
