💊 Apotheke vs. Drogerie — Know the Difference
- Apotheke (pharmacy): Prescription medicines, strong OTC medicines (Schmerzmittel, antibiotics), professional advice. Red "A" sign. Pharmacists are highly qualified and expected to advise you.
- Drogerie (dm, Rossmann, Müller): Vitamins, cosmetics, baby products, herbal teas, mild OTC items. Cannot dispense prescription medicines or most serious OTC drugs.
- Notapotheke: Night/emergency pharmacy. Every area has a rotating Notdienst (on-call pharmacy). Check the sign on any closed Apotheke or search "Notapotheke [your city]".
Core Pharmacy Vocabulary
| German | Article | English | Notes |
|---|
| das Rezept | das | -e | prescription | From your doctor |
| rezeptpflichtig | adj. | prescription only | Requires a Rezept |
| rezeptfrei | adj. | over the counter (OTC) | No prescription needed |
| das Schmerzmittel | das | — | painkiller | Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Paracetamol |
| das Antibiotikum | das | Antibiotika | antibiotic | Always prescription-only |
| das Erkältungsmittel | das | — | cold medicine | Available OTC |
| der Hustensaft | der | -säfte | cough syrup | Common OTC |
| die Tablette | die | -n | tablet / pill | Standard medicine form |
| die Nebenwirkung | die | -en | side effect | Read the Beipackzettel! |
| der Beipackzettel | der | — | package insert / leaflet | Instructions inside the box |
| die Dosierung | die | -en | dosage | How much to take |
| die Allergie | die | -n | allergy | Ich bin allergisch gegen... |
| die Gesundheitskarte | die | -n | health insurance card | Show this for prescriptions |
| die Zuzahlung | die | -en | co-payment | Usually €5–€10 per prescription |
| die Salbe | die | -n | ointment / cream | For skin conditions |
| die Tropfen | pl. | drops (ear/eye/nose) | Augentropfen = eye drops |
| das Pflaster | das | — | plaster / band-aid | For cuts |
| das Fieber | das | — | fever / temperature | Ich habe Fieber. |
Describing Symptoms
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen / Halsschmerzen / Bauchschmerzen.
I have a headache / sore throat / stomach ache.
Ich habe Fieber — 38,5 Grad.
I have a fever — 38.5 degrees.
Ich habe seit drei Tagen Husten.
I've had a cough for three days.
Mir ist schlecht / Ich muss mich übergeben.
I feel sick / I need to vomit.
Ich habe einen Ausschlag / Juckreiz.
I have a rash / itching.
Ich bin allergisch gegen Penicillin.
I am allergic to penicillin.
Ich nehme bereits folgende Medikamente: …
I am already taking the following medications: …
Asking the Pharmacist
Haben Sie etwas gegen Erkältung?
Do you have something for a cold?
Ich habe ein Rezept von meinem Arzt.
I have a prescription from my doctor.
Wie oft soll ich das nehmen?
How often should I take this?
Gibt es Nebenwirkungen, die ich kennen sollte?
Are there side effects I should know about?
Kann ich das auf nüchternen Magen nehmen?
Can I take this on an empty stomach?
Wie viel kostet das ohne Rezept?
How much does that cost without a prescription?
Dialogue — Getting Medicine for a Cold
You
Guten Tag, ich habe seit zwei Tagen Halsschmerzen und Husten. Haben Sie etwas dagegen?
Good day, I've had a sore throat and cough for two days. Do you have something for that?
Pharmacist
Haben Sie auch Fieber?
Do you also have a fever?
You
Nein, kein Fieber. Aber ich fühle mich sehr schlapp.
No, no fever. But I feel very weak.
Pharmacist
Ich empfehle diesen Hustensaft für den Husten und diese Lutschtabletten für den Hals. Beides ist rezeptfrei.
I recommend this cough syrup for the cough and these throat lozenges for the throat. Both are available without prescription.
You
Wie oft soll ich den Hustensaft nehmen?
How often should I take the cough syrup?
Pharmacist
Dreimal täglich, je einen Esslöffel, am besten nach dem Essen.
Three times daily, one tablespoon each time, preferably after eating.
You
Vielen Dank. Was kostet das zusammen?
Many thanks. What does that cost altogether?
What is the Notapotheke and how do I find one at night?
Every region in Germany has a rotating "Notdienstapotheke" (on-call emergency pharmacy) open at night and on Sundays/holidays. To find the nearest one: (1) Check the door of any closed Apotheke — they display the nearest open one. (2) Search "Notapotheke + your city" online. (3) Call 0800 00 22 833 (free, Germany-wide). (4) Use the App "Apotheke vor Ort".
Do I have to pay at the pharmacy with my health insurance?
For prescription medicines, you pay a Zuzahlung (co-payment) of €5–€10 per medicine, regardless of the actual price. Show your Gesundheitskarte (health insurance card — the small blue/green card from your Krankenkasse). Some medicines have exemptions from co-payment. OTC medicines are usually not covered by insurance and you pay the full price.