What over-the-counter drugs/first aid items are expensive/not available in Italy?

Question

I'm doing a semester abroad in Florence- what should I pack in terms of OTC drugs and first-aid stuff? What is the smartest thing to bring and what will I be able to get for about the same price over there?

I was thinking I'd bring...

-advil

-tylenol

-icy hot

-band aids

-chapstick

-small bottle of rubbing alcohol?

-abreva

-something for nausea

but I don't want to overpack.

it's just a list off the top of my head -- what should I definitely bring and definitely not bring? (I'll be there 4 months)

Answer 1

Definitely pack the pain relievers you're going to want.  In fact by the 1,000 bottle and take a bunch to share.

Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol are all outrageously expensive in Italy.  This last May I brought a large bottle as a gift for hosts.  Don't tell la dogana.

The New York Times reports that 20 aspirin tablets sell for $5.75.  So the 1,000 count bottle you can buy for a couple of bucks has a nominal value of $287.50.  Link to the NYT article below.

Depending on your health experience, you might also want to talk to your doctor about a stand-by prescriptions for things like antibiotics or prednisone.  Italy is a first world country, so you don't need to be as worried as traveling in Africa or Latin America.  But it can be nice to have something that you can use after calling back to your doctor in the states to get advice.

Answer 2

You can find all you need in any pharmacist shop and some even in main superstores, now (OTC, while alcohol, bads, etc always been available in all food or general shops).

Anyway, here some links; remember in Italy OTC are known as: OTC, SOP ("senza obbligo di prescrizione", same as OTC but they can't be advertised) or "farmaci da banco".

Of course is also possible one specific brand may not be available in Italy, you should look for the active principles.

On http://www.paginesanitarie.com/

full updated lists: OTC are here http://www.prontuariofarmaceutico.it/far...

but there other search option, as well. Just now, no price shown.

Altroconsumo is one of the main consumer's association; here

http://www.altroconsumo.it/asp/farmaci/f...

in the search box you can put the name of the brand or the active principle (but you have to look for the Italian name)

Here http://www.altroconsumo.it/site_images/a...

the link for downloading all the list in pdf format.

Prices are updated to December 31, 2007 (in €uro).

Answer 3

Don't pack rubbing alcohol, might not even be allowed, but too cheap for packing; reserve your meager baggage allowance.  I would bring the rest you listed -- I found the Italian pharmacies to have all I needed, only I wished I had packed more melatonin and over the counter-sleep stuff -- they have it there too but I was used to a particular brand that had worked good for me -- Also, when you're there they have certain pharmacies set up as emergency pharamacies for tourists.  You can learn more there.  Good luck and have fun.

Answer 4

Pack your favorite brand of toothpaste, because many American brands are not available in Italy.  Also, if you use dental floss, pack it.  For some reason I do not understand, it is VERY expensive in Italy.