At the Pharmacy
Use these phrases at the pharmacy to explain your symptoms, ask for recommendations, understand dosages, and buy the right medicine.
Key Phrases
Busco algo para el dolor de cabeza, por favor.
neutralI'm looking for something for a headache, please.
A very standard and direct way to ask for over-the-counter relief.
¿Tienes algo para el resfriado? Me siento fatal desde ayer.
casualDo you have anything for a cold? I've been feeling terrible since yesterday.
In Spain, using the casual 'tú' with pharmacists is common; in Latin America, stick to 'tiene' (usted).
Quería pedirle que me recomiende algo fuerte para el dolor de estómago.
politeI wanted to ask you to recommend something strong for a stomach ache.
Uses the imperfect 'quería' to sound softer and more polite when making a request.
Necesito una caja de paracetamol o ibuprofeno, de 400 miligramos si es posible.
neutralI need a box of paracetamol or ibuprofen, 400 milligrams if possible.
Tengo mucha tos seca desde anoche y me duele bastante la garganta.
neutralI've had a bad dry cough since last night and my throat hurts quite a bit.
Llevo tres días con fiebre y no se me quita con nada.
casualI've had a fever for three days and nothing is getting rid of it.
'Llevo [time] con...' is the most natural conversational way to say how long you've had a symptom.
Vengo a comprar los medicamentos de esta receta. ¿Se la dejo aquí?
neutralI'm here to buy the medicines on this prescription. Shall I leave it here?
Handing over a paper or digital prescription ('receta') is standard practice for antibiotics or stronger meds.
Como no tengo receta para ese, ¿hay alguna alternativa que se venda libremente?
neutralSince I don't have a prescription for that one, is there an alternative that is sold over the counter?
'Que se venda libremente' or 'sin receta' both mean over-the-counter.
¿Cada cuántas horas tengo que tomar estas pastillas exactamente?
neutralExactly how often do I have to take these pills?
Literally 'every how many hours', which is the standard Spanish phrasing for medication schedules.
¿Me podría indicar la dosis? Es que no entiendo bien la letra del médico.
politeCould you tell me the dosage? It's just that I don't really understand the doctor's handwriting.
Starting with 'Es que...' is a very natural B1 strategy to justify a question or provide an excuse.
¿Sabe si este jarabe da mucho sueño? Lo pregunto porque tengo que conducir.
neutralDo you know if this syrup makes you very sleepy? I ask because I have to drive.
Por cierto, soy alérgico a la penicilina. Es necesario que me dé otra cosa.
neutralBy the way, I'm allergic to penicillin. It's necessary that you give me something else.
Triggers the present subjunctive ('dé') to express a strong necessity.
Perfecto, me llevo todo esto. ¿Cuánto sería en total? ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
neutralPerfect, I'll take all of this. How much would it be in total? Can I pay by card?
Using the conditional 'sería' (would it be) is slightly softer and very common when asking for the total price.