Going to a pharmacy in Italy can be a bit intimidating if you don't speak Italian well. Knowing the right phrases and vocabulary can make a huge difference.

 This guide is here to help! We'll cover essential words and useful phrases so you can confidently ask for what you need, describe your symptoms, and understand the pharmacist’s advice. Your next pharmacy visit in Italy will be smooth and stress-free😊

Let’s get started!

Essential Vocabulary for the Pharmacy

Before diving into the phrases, let’s go over some key vocabulary. These words will help you understand and communicate more effectively during your visit.

Basic Pharmacy Vocabulary

La farmacia - Pharmacy

Il farmacista / La farmacista - Pharmacist (male/female)

La ricetta - Prescription

La medicina / Il farmaco - Medicine / Drug

Le pillole - Pills

Lo sciroppo - Syrup

La crema – Cream

La pomata – Ointment

Il cerotto - Bandage

Il termometro - Thermometer

L'antibiotico - Antibiotic

L'antidolorifico - Painkiller

L'antistaminico - Antihistamine

Il lassativo - Laxative

Il collirio - Eye drops

Il disinfettante – Disinfectant

L'acqua distillata - Distilled water

L'acqua ossigenata - Hydrogen peroxide

La benda - Bandage

Il collutorio - Mouthwash

Il digestivo - Digestive aid

La siringa - Syringe

Il sonnifero - Sleeping pill

Le supposte - Suppositories

Il vaccino - Vaccine

Le vitamine - Vitamins

Common Symptoms

• Il mal di testa - Headache

• Il mal di gola - Sore throat

• La tosse - Cough

• La febbre - Fever

• Il raffreddore - Cold

• L'influenza - Flu

• Il mal di stomaco - Stomach ache

• Il mal di orecchie - Earache

• La nausea - Nausea

• La diarrea - Diarrhea

• La costipazione - Constipation

• L'allergia - Allergy

• L'eruzione cutanea – Rash

• I brividi – Chills

• La debolezza – Weakness

• La vertigine – Dizziness

• L'insonnia – Insomnia

Useful Phrases for the Pharmacy

Now that you know the vocabulary, let’s look at some practical phrases you can use. These will help you ask for help, describe your symptoms, and buy medications.

Asking for Help

• Mi scusi, può aiutarmi? - Excuse me, can you help me?

• Sto cercando... - I am looking for...

• Ho bisogno di... - I need...

• Potrebbe darmi qualcosa per...? - Could you give me something for...?

Describing Symptoms

• Ho un mal di testa. - I have a headache.

• Ho la febbre. - I have a fever.

• Ho la tosse. - I have a cough.

• Mi fa male la gola. - My throat hurts.

• Ho un mal di stomaco. - I have a stomach ache.

• Mi sento nauseato/a. - I feel nauseous.

• Ho un'eruzione cutanea. - I have a rash.

• Sono allergico/a a... - I am allergic to...

Prescription and Medication

Ho questa ricetta da ritirare. - I have this prescription to pick up.

Quante volte al giorno devo prendere questa medicina? - How many times a day should I take this medicine?

Ci sono effetti collaterali? - Are there any side effects?

Devo prendere questa medicina prima o dopo i pasti? - Should I take this medicine before or after meals?

Avete un farmaco generico? - Do you have a generic version?

Vorrei delle pillole per il mal di testa. - I would like some pills for a headache.

Mi serve uno sciroppo per la tosse. - I need some cough syrup.

Ha qualcosa per il raffreddore? - Do you have something for a cold?

Vorrei un antistaminico. - I would like an antihistamine.

Mi serve una crema per le irritazioni cutanee. - I need a cream for skin irritations.

Quanto costa? - How much does it cost?

Potrebbe ripetere, per favore? - Could you repeat that, please?

Grazie mille per il suo aiuto. - Thank you very much for your help.

Going to a pharmacy in Italy doesn't have to be stressful if you know the right words and phrases. Keep practicing these phrases to improve your fluency, and don't hesitate to use them when you find yourself in need. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.

For more tips and resources on learning Italian, stay tuned to my blog😊

Buona fortuna e buona salute! (Good luck and good health!)