Pharmacies in Uzbekistan: Local Names for Common Medicines
Feeling under the weather during your trip? Don't worry – Uzbekistan has an excellent network of pharmacies (called "Apteka" or "Dorixona") with well-trained staff and a wide range of medications. Here's your complete guide to getting the medicine you need.
Finding a Pharmacy
Pharmacies are easy to find throughout Uzbekistan:
- Look for the green cross sign (universal pharmacy symbol)
- "Apteka" (Аптека) in Russian
- "Dorixona" in Uzbek
Opening Hours
- Most pharmacies: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Many central pharmacies: 24 hours
- Major cities have multiple 24-hour options
Common Medicines: Local Names
Here's a helpful reference table for the most commonly needed medications:
Pain & Fever
| What You Need | Local Name | Cyrillic |
|---|---|---|
| Ibuprofen | Ibuprofen / Nurofen | Ибупрофен / Нурофен |
| Paracetamol | Paratsetamol | Парацетамол |
| Aspirin | Aspirin | Аспирин |
Stomach & Digestion
| What You Need | Local Name | Cyrillic |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-diarrhea | Loperamid / Imodium | Лоперамид / Имодиум |
| Antacid | Almagel / Maalox | Альмагель / Маалокс |
| Motion sickness | Dramina | Драмина |
| Activated charcoal | Aktivirovanniy ugol | Активированный уголь |
| Rehydration salts | Regidron | Регидрон |
Allergies & Cold
| What You Need | Local Name | Cyrillic |
|---|---|---|
| Antihistamine | Suprastin / Tsetrin | Супрастин / Цетрин |
| Cough syrup | Sirop ot kashlya | Сироп от кашля |
| Throat lozenges | Strepsils / Septolete | Стрепсилс / Септолете |
| Nasal spray | Nazol / Otrivin | Назол / Отривин |
First Aid
| What You Need | Local Name | Cyrillic |
|---|---|---|
| Bandages | Bint | Бинт |
| Antiseptic | Zelyonka / Yod | Зелёнка / Йод |
| Band-aids | Plastir | Пластырь |
| Antibiotic cream | Levomekol | Левомеколь |
Other Essentials
| What You Need | Local Name | Cyrillic |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen | Solntsezashitniy krem | Солнцезащитный крем |
| Insect repellent | Sredstvo ot komarov | Средство от комаров |
| Eye drops | Glazniye kapli | Глазные капли |
Tips for Buying Medicine
1. Show the Name
Save this article on your phone or show the pharmacist the name in Cyrillic from the tables above.
2. Describe Symptoms
Pharmacists in Uzbekistan are very helpful! You can point to where it hurts and use simple gestures.
3. No Prescription Needed (Mostly)
Many common medications that require prescriptions in Western countries are available over the counter in Uzbekistan. However, always follow dosage instructions.
4. Prices Are Low
Medications are very affordable. Expect to pay 50-80% less than in Europe or the US.
Useful Phrases
🏥 AT THE PHARMACY
"Dorixona qayerda?" = Where is the pharmacy? (Uzbek)
"Gde apteka?" = Where is the pharmacy? (Russian)
"U menya bolit..." = My... hurts (Russian)
- golova = head
- zhivot = stomach
- gorlo = throat
"Eto ot..." = This is for... (Russian)
- temperaturi = fever
- kashlya = cough
- allergii = allergy
When to See a Doctor
While pharmacists can help with minor issues, seek medical attention if you experience:
- High fever lasting more than 2 days
- Severe dehydration
- Signs of infection
- Any serious symptoms
Major cities have excellent private clinics with English-speaking staff.
Emergency Numbers
- Emergency (all services): 112
- Ambulance: 103
Need help finding a pharmacy or clinic? TourFixer can assist you 24/7!
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