lateinlifetraveler

Can anyone help me out with how to ask for Benedryl in French?

StCirq

Dyphénydramine

Carlux

For anyone else with a similar question, two approaches.
1 - Google 'benadryl in France' or whatever you are looking for. Response is pretty easy to find.
2 - go to the nearest pharmacy once you arrive and show them what you have, assuming you have a box. Or just write it out. They will either know or can easily search their database for a match. Pharmacies here are very up to date, with knowledgeable people and great supply chains.

Dukey1

St. Cirq's spelling is incorrect but probably close enough to actually work.

Christina

They don't always know US brand names in France. I was trying to get some eye drops there once, in Aix, and they couldn't understand what I was talking about at the pharmacie (something like Visine), they could't imagine eye drops that somehow didn't require a prescription. My eyes were just slightly irritated for some reason, and I thought it would help. I also wanted Pepto Bismol once and they couldn't understand that either (I later found out it is illegal to sell bismuth in France, I guess), they didn't understand the concept of something for your stomach that wasn't an antacid.

So I think it is better to know what you are asking for in terms of ingredients rather than a brand name like Benadryl, if you can. Sure, some brands are over there, but many are not. Benadryl is diphenhydramine Hcl, they will probably understand that.

Here is an international drug search tool, could be useful http://www.drugs.com/international/

From googling, I think it may be in the drug branded Butix in France.

lateinlifetraveler

Thank you so much. I lost the package and need some more. I couldn't remember the spelling and don't have the package to show.

PalenQ

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 25 mg - that is the active ingredient in Benadryl and most anti-allergy medicines - just ask for that

St Cirq probably has spelt it correctly in French

lateinlifetraveler

Thanks. Will get some in the morning. My sneezing is driving me crazy

StCirq

No, actually I typed a y instead of an i, but the pronounciation would be the same. You could also probably just ask for une antihistaminique.

Gretchen

You're a better person than I if you take Benadryl for allergies--and expect to be upright for the day on a trip. There are better antihistamines that don't knock you out--we take Benadryl for a sleeping pill!!

nytraveler

Actually Benadryl is the most effective antihistamine that you can get. The only problem is the side effects (do NOT drive while taking it).

So it depends on how strong your symptoms are - and how much the side effects bother you. My B has terrible allergies for about a month each year - and takes Benadryl at night - so at least he can sleep.

lateinlifetraveler

Benadryl has never made me very sleepy. I wish it did so I could get some sleep at night. It will stop the sneezing and runny nose though.

MarySteveChicago

Agree with Gretchen. It works great but makes one drowsy. I use it at bedtime.