Medications and Their Alternatives in Turkey for Foreign Residents

The winter season in Turkey not only brings pleasant warmth but also various illnesses such as colds, flu, and other seasonal ailments. It's important for foreign residents to know which medications can be easily found in local pharmacies and understand the specific features of pharmacy services in Turkey.

Pharmacies in Turkey: Features

Pharmacies, called Eczane, operate daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, except on Sundays. On Sundays, only “on-duty” pharmacies are open, which change weekly. Notably, the prices of medications are the same across all pharmacies in Turkey, simplifying the purchasing process.

Medications Available in Turkish Pharmacies

For Cold and Flu:

• Aferin Sinus (paracetamol, pseudoephedrine, chlorpheniramine) – helps with cold and flu symptoms.
• Iburamin (ibuprofen, pseudoephedrine, chlorpheniramine) – effective for cold symptoms, including runny nose and sore throat.
• Katarin (paracetamol, oksolamine, chlorpheniramine) – a comprehensive cold remedy.
• Theraflu (paracetamol, chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine) – alleviates cold symptoms.
• Tylolhot (paracetamol, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine) – helps with respiratory discomfort.

Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers:

• Parol (paracetamol) – for headaches and fever.
• Apranax Forte (naproxen) – helps with inflammation and pain.
• Brufen (ibuprofen) – anti-inflammatory.
• Ibufen, Pedifen (ibuprofen) – common ibuprofen-based medications.
• Nimes (nimesulide) – for pain relief from inflammation (tablets only).

Antiallergic Medications:

• Cetrin – helps with itching, swelling, and sneezing.
• Rynset – blocks allergy symptoms effectively.
• Avil – effective for allergic reactions and cold symptoms.

For Cough and Respiratory Issues:

• Sinecod (butamirate) – cough suppressant.
• Levopront (levodropropizin) – helps with dry cough.
• Sekrol (ambroxol) – for wet cough.
• Prospan – ivy leaf extract, a natural cough remedy.
• Asist – ACC, aids in respiratory ailments.

Digestive Problems:

• Duphalac (lactulose) – helps with constipation.
• Bekunis (bisacodyl, sennozit) – effective for constipation.
• Diafuryl (nifuroxazide) – for diarrhea and digestive upset.
• Loperamide (loperamide) – for slowing down bowel activity in diarrhea.
• Smecta (diosmectite) – helps with poisoning and digestive disorders.
• Motilium (domperidone) – anti-vomiting and for dyspepsia.

Other Ailments:

• Coraspin (acetylsalicylic acid) – for cardiovascular health.
• Valocardin – a calming agent similar to Corvalol.
• Fucidin (fusidic acid) – antibacterial ointment for skin infections.
• Voltaren (diclofenac) – for joint pain and inflammation.

Consultations and Treatment Selection

It’s important to consult with a doctor or pharmacist before using any medication to avoid complications. Pharmacies in Turkey offer a wide range of medications, making it easy to find the right remedy for your needs. With access to quality medications and convenient pharmacy services, health management in Turkey is made simpler.