Can I buy allergy medicine over the counter in Madrid?

Question

I'm experiencing some quite bad hayfever at the moment, and I was wondering if I'd be able to buy antihistamines over the counter from a pharmacy? It's just I'd heard that most spanish pharmacies insist you have a prescription before selling you medication?

Answer 1

Yes but if you use a specific brand I suggest you take some with you.

Answer 2

Hi, I live in the south of Spain and you can walk into a pharmacy and buy antihistamines over the counter without a problem. They sell them in tablet form ( brand or generic form). They also sell them in a liquid form, the most popular type is Polarimine or Polarmide.

   As you know where you are going, check out the pollen count for Madrid on line, it will give you a good idea of what to expect. Also you can check nearly all the pharmacies on line in Spain and find the opening times ( weekend and 24 hours) should you need to.

    The pollen count has been very high here for the last two months  and many people have been suffering with allergies.

I hope this is off some help.

Answer 3

Most medecines that are over the counter in the US are also over the counter in Spain.  I should think for an ordinary strength antihistimine, you should be fine.  

The biggest difference between the pharmacies in Spain and in the US, is that in the US, you walk through, and pick out what you need.  In Spain, they keep pretty much EVERYTHING behind the counter, and have to service you, but the need for a prescription is pretty similar.  

Are you going to be there so long that you can't just bring along a box?

Answer 4

You can buy allergy medicine over the counter.  

There has been a crack down over the last couple of years regarding medicines which require prescription (like the contraceptive pill) and if you go into a big pharmacy you will be asked for your prescription for these things.  But, if you go into a little pharmacy, away from tourist places, like in a residential place, they will sell to you without prescription.