Medicines and their names around the world
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) — Pain and fever. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Tylenol; Canada: Tylenol; United Kingdom: Panadol, Calpol (children); France: Doliprane, Efferalgan, Dafalgan; Germany: ben-u-ron; Spain: Gelocatil; Italy: Tachipirina; Australia: Panadol; New Zealand: Panadol; Philippines: Biogesic, Tempra (children); Japan: Tylenol A; Thailand: Tylenol, Sara; Singapore: Panadol; Malaysia: Panadol; India: Crocin, Dolo; Mexico: Tempra, Tylenol; Brazil: Tylenol
- Ibuprofen — Pain, fever and inflammation. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Advil, Motrin; Canada: Advil, Motrin; United Kingdom: Nurofen; France: Nurofen, Advil; Germany: Nurofen, Dolormin; Spain: Espidifen, Dalsy (children); Italy: Moment, Brufen; Australia: Nurofen, Advil; Philippines: Advil, Medicol; Japan: EVE; Thailand: Brufen; India: Brufen; Singapore: Nurofen
- Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) — Pain and fever; low doses to protect the heart. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin; United Kingdom: Disprin; France: Aspégic, Kardégic (low dose); Germany: Aspirin; Philippines: Aspilets (low dose)
- Naproxen — Pain and inflammation. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Aleve; United Kingdom: Feminax Ultra; France: Apranax; Australia: Naprogesic; Philippines: Flanax
- Diclofenac gel — Muscle and joint pain (on the skin). Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Voltaren gel; United Kingdom: Voltarol; France: Voltarène; Germany: Voltaren; Australia: Voltaren; Philippines: Voltaren
- Cetirizine — Allergies and hay fever. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Zyrtec; United Kingdom: Zirtek; France: Zyrtecset, Virlix; Germany: Zyrtec; Australia: Zyrtec; Philippines: Virlix, Zyrtec; India: Cetzine
- Loratadine — Allergies and hay fever. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Claritin; United Kingdom: Clarityn; France: Clarityne; Germany: Lorano; Australia: Claratyne; Philippines: Claritin
- Fexofenadine — Allergies and hay fever. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Allegra; Australia: Telfast; Japan: Allegra FX
- Diphenhydramine — Allergies; sleep aid. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Benadryl; United Kingdom: Nytol
- Loperamide — Diarrhoea. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Imodium; United Kingdom: Imodium; France: Imodium; Germany: Imodium; Australia: Imodium; Philippines: Diatabs, Imodium
- Oral rehydration salts — Replacing fluids after diarrhoea or vomiting. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Pedialyte; United Kingdom: Dioralyte; Philippines: Hydrite
- Bismuth subsalicylate — Upset stomach and diarrhoea. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Pepto-Bismol; Canada: Pepto-Bismol
- Antacids and alginates — Heartburn and indigestion. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Tums, Gaviscon; United Kingdom: Gaviscon; France: Gaviscon; Australia: Gaviscon; Philippines: Gaviscon
- Omeprazole — Heartburn and stomach acid. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Prilosec OTC; United Kingdom: Losec; France: Mopral; Germany: Antra; Australia: Losec
- Esomeprazole — Heartburn and stomach acid. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Nexium 24HR; United Kingdom: Nexium; France: Inexium; Australia: Nexium; Philippines: Nexium
- Famotidine — Heartburn and stomach acid. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Pepcid; Japan: Gaster
- Hyoscine butylbromide — Stomach cramps. Usually sold without a prescription. United Kingdom: Buscopan; Germany: Buscopan; Australia: Buscopan; Philippines: Buscopan
- Dimenhydrinate — Motion sickness. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Dramamine; Canada: Gravol; France: Mercalm
- Meclizine (meclozine) — Motion sickness. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Bonine; Philippines: Bonamine
- Pseudoephedrine — Blocked nose (decongestant). Sold in pharmacies — ask the pharmacist, who may ask a few questions first. United States: Sudafed (behind the counter); United Kingdom: Sudafed Decongestant
- Guaifenesin — Chesty cough. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Mucinex, Robitussin; United Kingdom: Robitussin Chesty Cough
- Clotrimazole — Fungal skin and yeast infections. Usually sold without a prescription. United States: Lotrimin; United Kingdom: Canesten; Germany: Canesten; Australia: Canesten; Philippines: Canesten
- Fluconazole — Yeast infections. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Diflucan; United Kingdom: Canesten Thrush Oral Capsule; France: Triflucan; Australia: Diflucan
- Levonorgestrel (emergency contraception) — Preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Plan B One-Step; United Kingdom: Levonelle; France: Norlevo; Germany: PiDaNa; Australia: Postinor
- Ulipristal acetate (emergency contraception) — Preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: ella (prescription); United Kingdom: ellaOne; France: ellaOne; Germany: ellaOne
- Sildenafil — Erectile dysfunction. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Viagra; United Kingdom: Viagra Connect (pharmacy); France: Viagra
- Tadalafil — Erectile dysfunction. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Cialis; United Kingdom: Cialis; France: Cialis
- Amoxicillin — Bacterial infections (antibiotic). Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Amoxil; United Kingdom: Amoxil; France: Clamoxyl; Australia: Amoxil, Alphamox; Philippines: Amoxil
- Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid — Bacterial infections (antibiotic). Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Augmentin; United Kingdom: Augmentin; France: Augmentin; Philippines: Augmentin
- Azithromycin — Bacterial infections (antibiotic). Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Zithromax, Z-Pak; United Kingdom: Zithromax; France: Zithromax; Philippines: Zithromax
- Ciprofloxacin — Bacterial infections (antibiotic). Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Cipro; United Kingdom: Ciproxin; France: Ciflox; Australia: Ciproxin
- Doxycycline — Bacterial infections; malaria prevention. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Vibramycin; United Kingdom: Vibramycin
- Oseltamivir — Flu. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Tamiflu; United Kingdom: Tamiflu; France: Tamiflu; Japan: Tamiflu
- Metformin — Type 2 diabetes. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Glucophage; United Kingdom: Glucophage; France: Glucophage; Philippines: Glucophage
- Amlodipine — High blood pressure. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Norvasc; United Kingdom: Istin; France: Amlor; Philippines: Norvasc
- Atorvastatin — High cholesterol. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Lipitor; United Kingdom: Lipitor; France: Tahor; Germany: Sortis; Philippines: Lipitor
- Simvastatin — High cholesterol. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Zocor; United Kingdom: Zocor; France: Zocor
- Levothyroxine — Underactive thyroid. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Synthroid; United Kingdom: Eltroxin; France: Levothyrox; Germany: Euthyrox; Philippines: Eltroxin
- Salbutamol (albuterol) — Asthma relief inhaler. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Ventolin HFA; United Kingdom: Ventolin; France: Ventoline; Australia: Ventolin; Philippines: Ventolin
- Montelukast — Asthma and allergies. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Singulair; United Kingdom: Singulair; France: Singulair
- Adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector — Severe allergic reactions. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: EpiPen; United Kingdom: EpiPen, Jext; France: Epipen, Jext; Australia: EpiPen
- Sertraline — Depression and anxiety. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Zoloft; United Kingdom: Lustral; France: Zoloft
- Fluoxetine — Depression. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Prozac; United Kingdom: Prozac; France: Prozac
- Clopidogrel — Preventing blood clots. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Plavix; United Kingdom: Plavix; France: Plavix
- Apixaban — Preventing blood clots. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Eliquis; United Kingdom: Eliquis; France: Eliquis
- Warfarin — Preventing blood clots. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here.
- Metoclopramide — Nausea and vomiting. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Reglan; France: Primpéran; Australia: Maxolon
- Ondansetron — Nausea and vomiting. Needs a prescription in many countries — ask the pharmacist whether you need one here. United States: Zofran; United Kingdom: Zofran; France: Zophren
- Melatonin — Sleep problems and jet lag. Usually sold without a prescription. United Kingdom: Circadin (prescription)
- Tramadol — Moderate to severe pain. A controlled medicine: a prescription is needed, and some countries ban it or require a permit to bring it in. United States: Ultram; United Kingdom: Zydol; France: Topalgic, Contramal
- Codeine — Pain and cough. A controlled medicine: a prescription is needed, and some countries ban it or require a permit to bring it in.
- Zolpidem — Sleep problems. A controlled medicine: a prescription is needed, and some countries ban it or require a permit to bring it in. United States: Ambien; France: Stilnox; Australia: Stilnox
- Alprazolam — Anxiety. A controlled medicine: a prescription is needed, and some countries ban it or require a permit to bring it in. United States: Xanax; France: Xanax; Australia: Xanax
- Amphetamine (e.g. Adderall) — ADHD. A controlled medicine: a prescription is needed, and some countries ban it or require a permit to bring it in. United States: Adderall
- Methylphenidate — ADHD. A controlled medicine: a prescription is needed, and some countries ban it or require a permit to bring it in. United States: Ritalin, Concerta; United Kingdom: Ritalin, Concerta XL; France: Ritaline, Concerta LP
In the US, Benadryl is diphenhydramine; in the UK, Benadryl products contain cetirizine or acrivastine. Sudafed products differ: some contain pseudoephedrine, others (like Sudafed PE in the US) contain phenylephrine. Ranitidine (the original Zantac) was withdrawn worldwide in 2020; Zantac 360 in the US contains famotidine. Diclofenac gel is usually sold without a prescription; diclofenac tablets need one in most countries.
This helps you find a medicine — it isn't medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or doctor before taking anything new.