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At the Pharmacy - English lesson

When you go to a pharmacy (UK: chemist, US: drugstore), you need words for symptoms and medicines.

Symptoms (What you feel when you are ill):

Headache = pain in the head

Stomach ache = pain in the stomach

Toothache = pain in the teeth

Backache = pain in the back

Sore throat = pain in the throat

Runny nose = your nose is "running", liquid comes out

Blocked nose = your nose is blocked, you cannot breathe well

Cough (dry / chesty) = toux sèche / grasse

Fever / High temperature = when your body is very hot

Dizziness = you feel the room is moving, you are not stable

Nausea = you feel like you want to vomit

Diarrhoea = when you go to the toilet too many times

Constipation = difficulty to go to the toilet

Rash = red spots on the skin

Allergy = reaction to food, pollen, medicine...

Itching = when your skin wants to scratch

Swelling = part of the body becomes big

Medicines / Products:

Tablets / Pills / Capsules = solid medicine you swallow

Syrup = liquid medicine

Drops = liquid you put in eyes/ears/nose

Suppositories = medicine you insert (not oral)

Cream / Gel / Ointment = you put it on your skin

Bandage = cloth to wrap an injury

Plaster (UK) / Band-aid (US) = small protection for a cut

Antiseptic = liquid to clean a wound

Cotton wool = cotton for cleaning

Tweezers = small tool to pull out a splinter

Vitamins / Supplements = to give energy or nutrients

2. Useful Phrases (Customer - you):

When you go to the pharmacy, you explain your problem:

I have a headache / sore throat / fever.

I feel dizzy / weak.

I think I have food poisoning.

I need something for motion sickness. (= feeling sick in the car/bus/boat/plane)

Can you give me something to help me sleep?

Do you have anything for insect bites?

You also ask about the medicine:

How should I take this medicine? (= instructions)

With or without food?

Are there any side effects? (= problems after taking medicine)

Can children take this?

Is there a cheaper alternative?

3. Useful Phrases (Pharmacist):

The pharmacist gives advice and instructions:

Take one tablet twice a day after meals.

Do not take this on an empty stomach. (= don't take it before eating)

This medicine may cause drowsiness. (= it can make you sleepy)

Keep it in a cool, dry place. (= how to store)

For external use only. (= do not swallow)

You don't need a prescription for this. (= you can buy it freely)

This medicine is only available on prescription. (= you need a doctor's note)

4. Example Dialogue:

👩 Customer: Hello. Do you have anything for stomach ache?
👨‍⚕️ Pharmacist: Do you also have nausea or diarrhoea?
👩 Customer: Yes, I feel sick and I've had diarrhoea since yesterday.
👨‍⚕️ Pharmacist: I recommend these tablets. Take one after each loose stool, but not more than six a day.
👩 Customer: Okay. Can children take them?
👨‍⚕️ Pharmacist: No, this medicine is for adults only.

Audio file:

5. Practical Expressions:

Here are some easy sentences you can remember:

I'm looking for... → when you want a product

I need something for... → when you want help for a symptom

Could you recommend... ? → ask for advice

How much does it cost? → ask for the price

Do you sell...? → ask if they have the product

6. Tips for Students:

Always describe your symptom (I have a cough, I feel dizzy).

Use simple questions: "Can I take this with food?", "How often should I take this?"

Remember differences:

Plaster (UK) = Band-aid (US)

Chemist (UK) = Pharmacy/Drugstore (US)

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4. Pharmacist: I can give you some (

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