Common Western Medicines in China: English and Chinese Names
So, you got sick in China but are not ready to try traditional Chinese medicine? That is okay, this guide to Western medicines in China can help you find familiar options more easily.
Finding familiar medicine in China can be difficult, especially when brand names and packaging look different. For this reason, this guide lists common medicine names in both English and Chinese. That way, you can show the name to a pharmacist or use it when searching for medicine online.
In addition, the images below show familiar brand examples for many of the medicines listed. However, brands and packaging may vary between pharmacies and cities. Therefore, always check the active ingredient rather than relying only on a familiar brand name.
You can also share this post or save the images for later. That way, you can find them more easily when you or a friend needs help buying medicine in China.
Why Generic Medicine Names Matter
Brand names are not always the same in every country. For example, a familiar brand from home may not be available in a Chinese pharmacy. Instead, the same active ingredient may be sold under a different name or brand. For this reason, knowing the generic medicine name can make your search much easier. In addition, the Chinese translation can help when speaking to a pharmacist or searching on a delivery app.
Below, you will find common Western medicines in China, along with their English and Chinese names:
- Pain & Fever [疼痛、发烧] téng tòng, fā shāo
- Cough [咳嗽] ké sou
- Hangover [宿醉] sù zuì
- Head & Sinus Congestion [鼻塞、鼻窦充血] bí sè, bí dòu chōng xuè
- Sore Throat, Headache, Earache & Body Aches [喉咙痛、头痛、耳痛、身体疼痛]
- Sneezing, Runny Nose & Watery Eyes [打喷嚏、流鼻涕、眼睛流泪]
- Upset Stomach [胃不舒服] wèi bù shū fu
- Constipation [便秘] biàn mì
- Diarrhoea [腹泻 / 拉肚子] fù xiè / lā dù zi
- Sleep Issues [睡眠问题] shuì mián wèn tí
- Skin Allergy & Itching [皮肤过敏和瘙痒] pí fū guò mǐn hé sào yǎng
- Nasal Allergy [鼻过敏 / 过敏性鼻炎] bí guò mǐn / guò mǐn xìng bí yán
Remember: Before choosing any medicine, remember that all medicines can cause side effects. Therefore, always read the label carefully and ask a pharmacist or doctor for clear instructions about the correct dosage.
Pain and Fever
疼痛、发烧
téng tòng, fā shāo
Acetaminophen / Paracetamol
对乙酰氨基酚 — duì yǐ xiān ān jī fēn
(Tylenol, Panadol)
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
非甾体抗炎药 — fēi zāi tǐ kàng yán yào
Ibuprofen
布洛芬 — bù luò fēn
(Motrin, Advil)
Naproxen
萘普生 — nài pǔ shēng
(Aleve)
Aspirin
阿司匹林 — ā sī pǐ lín
(Bayer, St. Joseph’s)
Cough
咳嗽
ké sou
Dextromethorphan
右美沙芬 — yòu měi shā fēn
(Theraflu, Vicks)
Guaifenesin
愈创甘油醚 — yù chuàng gān yóu mí
(Robitussin, Mucinex)
Throat Lozenges
润喉糖 / 含片 — rùn hóu táng / hán piàn
(Halls, Ricola and Golden Throat (金嗓子).)
Other useful terms:
Benzocaine
苯佐卡因 — běn zuǒ kǎ yīn
Menthol
薄荷醇 — bò hé chún
Hangover
宿醉
sù zuì
(Alka-Seltzer Hangover Relief)
For a hangover, focus on rest and fluids. If symptoms are severe or unusual, seek medical advice rather than mixing medicines.
Head and Sinus Congestion
鼻塞 / 鼻窦充血
bí sè / bí dòu chōng xuè
Decongestant
减充血剂 — jiǎn chōng xuè jì
Pseudoephedrine
伪麻黄碱 — wěi má huáng jiǎn
(Sudafed)
Oxymetazoline
羟甲唑啉 — qiǎng jiǎ zuò lín
(Sinex, Telnase)
Availability and restrictions can vary, so ask a pharmacist before buying or using these medicines.
Sore Throat, Headache, Earache and Body Aches
喉咙痛、头痛、耳痛、身体疼痛
hóu lóng tòng, tóu tòng, ěr tòng, shēn tǐ téng tòng
Acetaminophen / Paracetamol
对乙酰氨基酚 — duì yǐ xiān ān jī fēn
Throat lozenges may also help with minor throat discomfort.
Antibiotics
抗生素 — kàng shēng sù
Antibiotics treat certain bacterial infections and should only be used when prescribed or recommended by a qualified medical professional. They do not treat viral infections such as most common colds.
Sneezing, Runny Nose and Watery Eyes
打喷嚏、流鼻涕、眼睛流泪
dǎ pēn tì, liú bí tì, yǎn jīng liú lèi
Antihistamine
抗组胺药 — kàng zǔ àn yào
(Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra.)
Upset Stomach
胃不舒服
wèi bù shū fu
Bismuth Subsalicylate
碱式水杨酸铋 — jiǎn shì shuǐ yáng suān bì
(Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate)
Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets
碳酸氢钠片 — tàn suān qīng nà piàn
(Alka-Seltzer)
Simethicone
西甲硅油 — xī jiǎ guī yóu
(Gas-X)
Antacids
抗酸药 — kàng suān yào
(Rolaids, Tums)
Dimenhydrinate
茶苯海明 — chá běn hǎi míng
(Dramamine)
Constipation
便秘
biàn mì
Senna
番泻叶 — fān xiè yè
(Ex-Lax)
Other useful terms:
Glycerin
甘油 — gān yóu
Bisacodyl
比沙可啶 — bǐ shā kě dìng
Diarrhoea
腹泻 / 拉肚子
fù xiè / lā dù zi
Attapulgite
凹凸棒石 — āo tū bàng shí
(Diocalm, Diatrol)
Loperamide
洛哌丁胺 — luò pài dīng àn
(Imodium A-D)
Bismuth Subsalicylate
碱式水杨酸铋 — jiǎn shì shuǐ yáng suān bì
Severe diarrhoea, blood in the stool, signs of dehydration or ongoing symptoms should be assessed by a medical professional.
Sleep Issues
睡眠问题
shuì mián wèn tí
Diphenhydramine
苯海拉明 — běn hǎi lā míng
(Benadryl, Tylenol PM)
Melatonin
褪黑素 — tuì hēi sù
Some sleep aids can cause drowsiness or interact with other medicines. Therefore, ask a pharmacist or doctor before using them.
Skin Allergy and Itching
皮肤过敏和瘙痒
pí fū guò mǐn hé sào yǎng
Antihistamine
抗组胺药 — kàng zǔ àn yào
Diphenhydramine
苯海拉明 — běn hǎi lā míng
Nasal Allergy
鼻过敏 / 过敏性鼻炎
bí guò mǐn / guò mǐn xìng bí yán
Cromolyn Sodium
色甘酸钠 — sè gān suān nà
(NasalCrom)
Before You Buy Medicine
Medicine availability and prescription requirements can vary across China. In addition, some products may require a prescription or approval from a pharmacist. Therefore, always check the active ingredient, dosage and instructions before taking any medicine.
For example, antibiotics should only be used for suitable bacterial infections under professional medical guidance. They do not treat viral infections such as most common colds. Similarly, some allergy and sleep medicines may cause drowsiness or interact with other medicines.
If symptoms are severe, unusual or continue to get worse, seek medical care. In particular, severe diarrhoea, blood in the stool or signs of dehydration should be assessed by a medical professional.
Buying Medicine Online in China
Alternatively, you may be able to order medicine online instead of visiting a pharmacy. Delivery apps such as Meituan and Ele.me offer access to many pharmacy products.
How to Find Medicine on Meituan
- Open the Meituan app and tap 医疗/牙科 (Medical/Dental), shown with a blue and white cross symbol.
- Select 药店 (Pharmacy), shown with a blue pill symbol.
- Search for the medicine using its Chinese generic name. Then, choose a suitable product and follow the instructions to place your order.
The app layout may change over time, so the exact icons or menu names may look different from the screenshots. In addition, availability depends on your location and the type of medicine you need. Moreover, some medicines may require a prescription or additional checks before purchase.
Whenever possible, buy medicine from a licensed pharmacy. Most importantly, check the active ingredient rather than relying only on a familiar brand name.
We hope this guide to Western medicines in China makes finding familiar medicine a little easier. Is there anything useful that we missed? Leave a comment or question below.
Also, if you need professional medical care, check our guide to hospitals in Chengdu.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. We are not licensed medical professionals. Although medical professionals and pharmacists were consulted for the original post, medicine availability, dosage, contraindications and prescription requirements can vary.
Therefore, always read the package instructions and speak to a qualified pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure which medicine is suitable for you. If symptoms become severe or rapidly worsen, seek urgent medical care.
