Common Over The Counter Medicines in Brazil & Their Portuguese Names

Drugstores in Brazil are charming and old-fashioned the way they still are in Europe, and the focus is on medicine, not photo developing or greeting cards. Instead of the American model of self-medication, the Brazilian model is concerned with people’s vulnerability and with pharmacies functioning responsibly, not becoming commercialized. This is why almost all medications in Brazil (sometimes even medicines like Tylenol) are over-the-counter and are handed out appropriately after you have consulted a pharmacist. Many times in Brazil, you will find that you are required to ask for medication, rather than just being able to pick it up. This can be an adjustment, and for many Americans, a hassle, so this post is intended to help you out.

One of the things that people have trouble with when they go to Brazil is finding familiar medicine… I mean, they have Tchilenól and Veequis, but what about Midol, Advil, Tums, Thermacare & Benadryl?

The good news is, here in Brazil, a lot of the medicines used are actually called by their main ingredient! There are tons of different brands, but that’s just a matter of asking around or just asking for the generic and trying your luck.

Also, it will seem that there are many more types of medicines in Brazil than there are here, because their medicine is not as general as ours. For example, if you have the flu (o grippe) in Brazil and you go to the pharmacy (a farmácia / a drogaria) to explain your symptoms, rather than the pharmacist telling you to take motrin for the fever and the pain, and some nyquil to knock you out, they will probably give you several painkillers of lesser strength that are especially made to target exactly where you are having pain or experiencing discomfort, and these will not make you drowsy. For example, they will give you one pill specifically to target the pain of a sore throat, another to lower your fever, and something else specially formulated to clear your congested nose. So you are not getting anything that you don’t need. While ibuprofen exists in Brazil, it is not used nearly as commonly as it is here.

Here are a few names that might come in handy for you!

Dipirona – Overall pain & fever medicine. Kind of like Tylenol, I guess?

Amoxicilina  – This is the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Bicarbonato de Sódio – It’s the main ingredient in any antacid but if you ask for it at the pharmacy, they’ll give you some antacid they have with a different name. One popular medicine is ENO… this is your Alka Seltzer!

Aspirina– Aspirin

Xarope  – Cough syrup. There are many brands (including Vicks!)

Buscopan  – this is a popular medicine for menstrual cramps. Boys, and also for overall stomach pains/cramps.

Dorflex – muscle relief in tiny pills!

Repelente  – Almost anywhere you are in Brazil, you’ll need bug repellent. There’s “Off!” in Brazil, but is amazingly expensive (as is sunscreen / sunblock), so think about bringing your own for your trip.