The Most Common Medications in the UK – And How to Ask for The Equivalents in a French Pharmacy 🇫🇷💊

Picture this: you’re strolling through a sun-drenched French village, baguette in hand, when suddenly - bam - a headache hits, your allergies flare up, or your stomach decides it’s had enough of rich cheese and wine. You need a pharmacy… and fast.

But here’s the catch: medications in France don’t always go by the same names as in the UK. Even when they do, the packaging, dosages, and how you ask for them can feel like a mini language exam.

Don’t worry - this guide has you covered. Whether you're a holidaymaker, expat, or just passing through, this punchy, practical guide will help you confidently navigate French pharmacies like a pro.

🏥 First Things First: How French Pharmacies Work

French pharmacies (“pharmacies”) are easy to spot thanks to their glowing green cross signs. They’re everywhere - even in small towns - and pharmacists are highly trained, often acting as your first point of medical advice.

A few quick things to know:

• Many medications that are over-the-counter in the UK are also available without a prescription in France - but you’ll often need to ask the pharmacist directly.

• You won’t usually find shelves to browse like in Boots; instead, you describe your symptoms or ask for a product.

• Pharmacists often recommend their own preferred brands - even if you ask for a specific one.

So knowing both the medication name and how to describe your symptoms in French is incredibly helpful.

💊 Common UK Medications (and Their French Equivalents)

Let’s start with the essentials - the medications you’re most likely to need while travelling.

1. Pain Relief: Paracetamol

In the UK, paracetamol is a go-to for headaches, fever, and general aches.

In France, you’ll want to ask for:

• Doliprane

• Efferalgan

• Dafalgan

These all contain paracetamol (known as paracétamol in French).

👉 If you’re used to Calpol for children, ask for:

• “Paracétamol pour enfants” or “sirop de paracétamol”

2. Ibuprofen

For inflammation, muscle pain, or stronger headaches, ibuprofen is common.

In France:

• Nurofen (same brand exists)

• Or simply ask for ibuprofène

👉 Note: French pharmacists may ask about stomach issues before recommending it.

3. Cold & Flu Remedies

In the UK, you might reach for Lemsip, Beechams, or Sudafed.

In France, equivalents include:

• Fervex – powder sachets for colds and flu

• Actifed – for congestion

• Dolirhume – combines paracetamol and decongestants

👉 Unlike the UK, combination medications are often more tightly controlled - pharmacists may guide your choice.

4. Antihistamines (Allergies)

Hay fever ruining your trip (I feel your pain)? In France:

• Ask for antihistaminique

• Common brands: Clarityne (like Clarityn), Zyrtec

👉 You may be asked about symptoms like sneezing (éternuements) or itchy eyes (yeux qui démangent).

5. Upset Stomach & Indigestion

Too much cheese? We’ve all been there.

For stomach issues:

• Smecta – for diarrhoea

• Gaviscon – same as UK

• Maalox – for acid reflux

👉 Ask for:

• “Quelque chose pour le mal de ventre” (something for stomach pain)

6. Diarrhoea Relief

In the UK, Imodium is common.

In France:

• Imodium (same brand)

• Or ask for lopéramide

7. Sore Throat

For a scratchy throat:

• Strepsils (available in France)

• Drill – popular French lozenges

👉 Ask for:

• “Pastilles pour la gorge”

8. Cough Medicine

French pharmacies distinguish carefully between dry and chesty coughs.

• Dry cough: toux sèche

• Chesty cough: toux grasse

Common options:

• Toplexil

• Stodal (homeopathic, very popular in France)

9. Motion Sickness

Travelling through winding countryside?

• Mercalm

• Ask for: mal des transports

10. Contraception & Emergency Contraception

• The pill: la pilule

• Morning-after pill: pilule du lendemain (available without prescription)

Pharmacists are discreet and helpful - don’t hesitate to ask.

📊 Glossary: UK Medications vs French Pharmacy Terms

Here’s your quick-reference cheat sheet:

UK Medication / Use	French Term	Common French Brands	Notes
Paracetamol	Paracétamol	Doliprane, Efferalgan	First-line pain relief
Calpol (children)	Sirop de paracétamol	Doliprane Enfants	Liquid form
Ibuprofen	Ibuprofène	Nurofen	Anti-inflammatory
Cold & flu	Rhume / Grippe	Fervex, Dolirhume	Sachets popular
Decongestant	Décongestionnant	Actifed	Ask pharmacist
Antihistamine	Antihistaminique	Clarityne, Zyrtec	For allergies
Diarrhoea relief	Antidiarrhéique	Smecta, Imodium	Very common
Indigestion / reflux	Brûlures d’estomac	Gaviscon, Maalox	Acid relief
Sore throat lozenges	Pastilles pour la gorge	Strepsils, Drill	Widely available
Cough medicine	Sirop contre la toux	Toplexil, Stodal	Specify type
Motion sickness	Mal des transports	Mercalm	Travel essential
Morning-after pill	Pilule du lendemain	NorLevo, ellaOne	No prescription

🗣️ How to Ask for Medication in a French Pharmacy

Now comes the fun part - putting it all into practice. You don’t need perfect French, just a few key phrases and confidence.

🧾 Essential Pharmacy Phrases

Here are some simple, effective ways to ask for what you need:

• “Bonjour, je voudrais…”

  Hello, I would like…

  
  

• “…du paracétamol, s’il vous plaît.”

  …some paracetamol, please.

  
  

• “Est-ce que vous avez quelque chose pour…”

  Do you have something for…

  
  

• “…un mal de tête ?”

  …a headache?

  
  

• “…un rhume ?”

  …a cold?

  
  

• “…une toux sèche ?”

  …a dry cough?

  
  

🩺 Describing Symptoms

Pharmacists may ask questions, so here are helpful responses:

• “J’ai mal à la tête” – I have a headache

• “J’ai de la fièvre” – I have a fever

• “J’ai mal au ventre” – I have stomach pain

• “Je suis allergique” – I am allergic

• “Je prends déjà ce médicament” – I already take this medication

If you need to go a little deeper, take a look at my blog post looking at the Top 30 Most Useful French Words for the Pharmacy: Essential Vocabulary for Tourists and Medical Professionals.

💬 A Simple Real-Life Example

Bonjour, je voudrais quelque chose pour un rhume, s’il vous plaît. J’ai le nez bouché et mal à la tête.

(Hello, I’d like something for a cold please. I have a blocked nose and a headache.)

That’s more than enough for a pharmacist to help you effectively.

🇫🇷 Pro Tips for UK Visitors

French pharmacies are friendly, but a few insider tips will make your experience smoother:

• Don’t expect to self-serve - always ask

• Be open to alternatives (brands differ)

• Pharmacists often speak some English - but trying French goes a long way

• Dosages may differ slightly - listen carefully to instructions

• Always mention allergies or existing conditions

📄 Got a French Prescription? Here’s Where I Come In

If your trip to France involved a visit to a doctor or pharmacy, you might have returned home with:

• A French prescription

• A GP or hospital letter

• Medical test results

• Insurance documents

And now you’re staring at it thinking… what does this actually say?

That’s where I can help.

I offer professional French-to-English medical translation services, tailored specifically for UK patients, travellers, and expats. Whether you need a clear understanding for peace of mind or an official translation for your GP, insurer, or specialist - I’ve got you covered.

✉️ Get in Touch

If you have a document you’d like translated:

• Fast turnaround

• Accurate medical terminology

• Clear, natural English

• Confidential and reliable service

👉 Send me a message today and take the guesswork out of your French medical paperwork.

Navigating a French pharmacy doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a little preparation - and this guide - you can confidently ask for what you need, understand what you're getting, and get back to enjoying your trip.

Because let’s face it: the only thing you should be worrying about in France… is which pastry to try next.

Bon voyage - and stay healthy! 🇫🇷✨

⚠️ Disclaimer

This blog is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Medication names, uses, and availability may vary, and guidance can differ depending on your individual health needs.

Always follow the advice and instructions of a qualified medical professional, including your GP or pharmacist. If you are unsure about which medication to take, appropriate dosages, or potential interactions, you should consult a pharmacist in France or a healthcare provider.

When in doubt - always ask.