No one likes being sick, and being sick in a foreign country can cause extra challenges with trying to get the right medicine you need. Luckily in China there are pharmacies everywhere with most medicines you'll find in your home country.
The medicines listed below are suggestions for commonly used medicines that you can find in a Chinese pharmacy. (Note: this information is not all-inclusive and is provided for informational purposes only. There are many other medications, and make sure to consult with your doctor if you're unsure what you should take.)
This medicine comes in the form of a stick-on patch. It is used for swelling and pain. It can be specifically used for inflammation or pain in the joints, muscles or tissues, and can also clear up bruises.
This medicine provides quick and temporary relief of pain and discomfort when rubbed directly on the skin. It is used to treat minor aches and pains in the neck and shoulders, arthritis, rheumatism and joint pain. It can also be used for numbness, bruises, and insect bites.
This product is suitable for a dry cough or a phlegm-producing cough. It is effective in easing frequent, severe coughing.
This product can loosen phlegm and ease coughing. It is used for the treatment of colds, coughs, and bronchitis.
This antitussive and expectorant is used to treat acute, chronic bronchitis and wheezing.
This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of a common cold, including chills, fever, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, muscle aches, itchy throat, cough, and mucus. It is suitable for treating upper respiratory tract infections, colds, rhinitis, etc.
This soluble tablet is used to treat cold symptoms such as fever, headache, runny nose, cough, dry mouth, sore throat, nausea and loss of appetite.
复方氨酚烷胺胶囊 (fùfāng ān fēn wán àn jiāonáng)
This medicine is used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold or influenza. Symptoms include fever, headache, nasal congestion, and sore throat.
This medicine is used to treat yeast infections in women.
This is an anti-inflammatory medication and pain reliever. It is used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal infections, and urinary tract infections.
This pain-relieving and nourishing pill is appropriate for use during a woman’s menstrual cycle. It is effective in reducing menstrual cramps.
This painkiller promotes blood flow and reduces pain resulting from a woman’s menstrual cycle.
This medicine is used to relieve mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, joint pain, migraine, toothache, and muscle pain. It also can be used to treat fever caused by the common cold or influenza.
This medication promotes blood circulation and has a nourishing effect. It is used to treat pain headache, nervous headache, or premenstrual headaches.
This medication is used to treat headache, chills and nasal congestion. It is also appropriate for reducing pain associated with the common cold.
There are many types of antibiotics available over the counter in China. This list includes just a few examples of antibiotics used for the treatment of some specific conditions.
This antibiotic is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections, fever, bronchitis, cough or swollen boils.
This antibiotic is used to reduce inflammation and swelling. It can be used to treat swollen boils, sore throat, or tonsillitis.
This antibiotic has throat clearing, antitussive and anti-itch properties. It can be used to treat chronic sore throat, dry throat, itchy throat, or irritating cough.
This is a 21-day oral contraceptive that is sold over the counter with no doctor’s prescription required.
This is a form of short term (emergency) contraception for women, commonly known as the morning after pill.
The invisible condom is a foam spray that is injected into the vagina to form a protective layer that can kill sperm and a variety of viruses, acting as a contraceptive and preventing infection.
Durex is a common brand of male condom that can easily be purchased in China at pharmacies, supermarkets or convenience stores.
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