OTC drugs in France
 

Some time last year, there was a thread here about drugs that could be purchased in pharmacies in France; it was quite extensive, IIRC.

I have done a search and don't see anything from 2012; older ones but not the one I am looking for.

Or, this could be a new thread asking - what are some of the things you bring back to US from pharmacies?

Thanks~

looking for anything in particular? Might be a bit simpler.

Voltaren gel seems to be very popular.

voltaren gel. ibuprofen with codeine,my dh's rx eyedrops Cosopt without a Rx in France and he loves Rennies an antacid from uk.

You can buy acetaminophen/paracetamol and codeine tablets OTC. Two brand names are Dafalgan and Doliprane. Without a prescription, the strength is 500mg/30mg--I think that's the strength, don't have any in the house.

I haven't looked for an ibuprofen/codeine tablet as I can't take NSAIDS. Some of the main ibuprofen brands in France are Nurofen, Spedifen and Advil.

All are kept behind the counter, you can request multiple boxes. I've never seen high-count packaging such as you get in the States. It's sold in tabs to swallow (avaler), to dissolve in water and the always-popular suppository!

TFT foe kenav

That should have been.... ttt for

My DH uses Voltaren Gel. Do you just ask the pharmacist for it by this name when requesting it? How do I ask for ibuprofen with codeine? Do most speak some English? If I bring some back to the states, will I have it confiscated? A gel med doesn't need to go in the bag for creams and liquids would does it?
Thanks for your help.

Depends on the pharmacist - small towns, they did not speak much English but I speak French. Perhaps google translate ahead of time what you want to ask for? Unless you are bring back LARGE amounts of pills w/codeine, I think you are ok.

Voltaren gel in France is the same name, or virtually the same, according to my husband who has used it in the past.

Gels come under the 3-1-1-1 regulations, do you have a checked bag you can put it in? It's not a prescription so if in your carryon you are pretty much at the whim of Security leaving France which SOMETIMES are a bit more lenient. As for the U.S., if you are changing planes, all I can say is they took my unopened jar of thick English marmelade, sob.

Ibuprofène is the spelling for ibuprofen. It's pronounced eebuprofen. Codeine is codéine in French, pronounced roughly codayeen.

The Votaren gel is diclofenc in generic terms. I wiuld just write the name of what you want down and give it to the pharmacist. I had no problem getting Voltaren gel in Paris. It will need to go in the ziploc with creams and gels...you may get a break with an agent. Usually you can remove prescription products from your other products in the ziploc, but since it isn't by Rx....it may be luck of the draw.