Pharmacy & Health

1. Ha qualcosa per il mal di testa?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at an Italian pharmacy (farmacia)

   Grammar Note

   Italian pharmacies are marked by a green cross. "Lei ha...?" is the polite formal form

2. Ho bisogno di un farmaco per lo stomaco

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Ho bisogno di..." = "I need..." is the standard expression of necessity in Italian

3. Ho bisogno di un antidiarroico

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Qualcosa per la diarrea" is also clear. Italian pharmacists are typically very helpful

4. Ho la febbre

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Ho la febbre" = "I have the fever" — Italian uses the definite article "la" with fever

5. Ho un'allergia

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Sono allergico/a a..." = "I am allergic to...". "Allergico" (male), "allergica" (female)

6. Ho bisogno di cerotti

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Cerotti" is the plural of "cerotto" (plaster). "Band-Aid" brand name is also recognized

7. Ho bisogno di un repellente per insetti

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Repellente per zanzare" (mosquito repellent) is more specific. DEET products are available at Italian pharmacies

8. Ho bisogno di una crema solare

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Crema solare" = sun cream. "Protezione solare" = sun protection. SPF is "fattore di protezione solare (FPS)"

9. Come si prende questo farmaco?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   Italian also uses "prendere" (take) for medicine. "Quante volte al giorno?" (how many times per day?) is a useful follow-up

10. Ho bisogno di una ricetta medica?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    Italy distinguishes "farmaci da banco" (OTC drugs) from "farmaci con ricetta" (prescription drugs)

11. Il termometro

    Thermometer

    Usage

    Point at this to buy a thermometer at a pharmacy

12. Una benda

    A bandage

    Usage

    A roll-type bandage; an adhesive plaster is "cerotto"

13. Il disinfettante

    Disinfectant

    Usage

    Ask for antiseptic to clean a wound

14. La mascherina

    Face mask

    Usage

    Ask for a disposable face mask at a pharmacy

15. Gli assorbenti

    Sanitary pads

    Usage

    Refers to pads specifically; tampons are "i tamponi"

16. I preservativi

    Condoms

    Usage

    Sold at pharmacies and supermarkets; note it is a false friend — it does not mean "preservative"

17. Il collirio

    Eye drops

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for eye drops

18. Un cerotto antidolorifico

    A pain-relief patch

    Usage

    A medicated patch for aches; "antidolorifico" distinguishes it from a plain plaster

19. Un antipiretico

    A fever reducer

    Usage

    Ask for something to bring a fever down; over-the-counter "paracetamolo" is standard

20. Un lassativo, per favore

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Asks for a laxative at a pharmacy

    Grammar Note

    "Lassativo" is a masculine noun and also an adjective (Treccani: something that loosens the bowels). Adding "per favore" makes it a request

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