Ukrainians moving to Germany may face a challenge when looking for medicines, as even the most basic drugs may have different names. It is also important to understand how the health insurance system works in Europe. Let's look at these and other issues further.

ANALOGUES OF UKRAINIAN MEDICINES IN GERMANY

Painkillers

Painkillers are one of the most popular categories of medicines. Below are the analogues of Ukrainian drugs that can be found in German pharmacies.

Active substance Ibuprofen:

- Algofen;

- Advil;

- Nurofen;

- Brufen.

- Doc Schmerzsalbe is a medicine that dulls the sensation of pain in joints or muscles.

The active ingredient is Paracetamol:

- Acetaminophen;

- Panadol;

- Gelocatil;

- Calpol;

- Ben-U-Ron;

- Perphalgan;

- Buscopan;

- Thomapyrin Classic is an analogue of citramon, and Thomapyrin intensiv is more potent.

Medicines against allergies

- Cetirizine - Cetirizin Hexal or Cetirizin-ratiopharm;

- Loratadine - Lorano or Loratadin-ratiopharm;

- Desloratadine - Aerius;

- Fexofenadine - Telfast or Fexofenadin-ratiopharm;

- Levocetirizine - Xusal or Levocetirizin-ratiopharm;

- Azelastin - Allergodil or Azelastin-ratiopharm;

- Clemastine - Tavegil;

- Ebastine - Kestine;

- Chloropyramine - Chloropyramin-ratiopharm;

- Diphenhydramine - Benadryl or Diphenhydramin-ratiopharm.

Nasal drops and cold medicines

- Xylometazoline - Nasenspray-ratiopharm or Otriven;

- Oxymetazoline - Nasenspray-ratiopharm or Olynth;

- Nafazoline - Nasivin or Privin;

- Azelastin - Allergodil or Azelastin-ratiopharm;

- Dexpatenol - Bepanthen Meerwasser Nasenspray or NasenSpray-ratiopharm Panthenol.

You can also buy Ambraxol or Abschwellendes Nasenspray.

If you have a sore throat, German pharmacies offer a list of the following medicines:

- Lemocin,

- Neoangin,

- Neoanginetten.

- Tantum Verde or Hexoral throat spray.

Sedatives

Bifren is one of the most popular sedatives in Ukraine with the active ingredient Phenibutum. However, in Germany, it is classified as an unapproved drug and is not recommended for use due to safety concerns, including the risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, you cannot buy this medicine in this country.

Here are the analogues of other sedatives:

- Diazepam - Valium or Diazepam-ratiopharm;

- Lorazepam - Tavor or Lorazepam-ratiopharm;

- Xanax - Xanax or Alprazolam-ratiopharm;

- Bromazepam - Lexotanil or Bromazepam-ratiopharm;

- Phenobarbital - Gardenal or Phenobarbital-ratiopharm.

Drugs for the gastrointestinal tract

- Rennie;

- Gaviscon;

- Maaaloxan;

- Burlich Salz;

- Omeprazole - Omeprazol-ratiopharm or Omeprazol Hexal;

- Ranitidine - Ranitic or Ranitidin-ratiopharm;

- Pantoprazole - Pantoprazol-ratiopharm or Pantoprazol-Actavis;

- Esomeprazole - Nexium or Esomeprazol-ratiopharm;

- Domperidone - Motilium or Domperidon-ratiopharm;

- Metoclopramide - MCP-ratiopharm or Metoclopramid Hexal;

- Simethicone - Sab Simplex or Lefax;

- Lactulose - Lactulose-ratiopharm or Duphalac;

- Mebeverin, Duspatalin - Duspatalin or Mebeverin-ratiopharm;

- Bisacodyl - Dulcolax or Bisacodyl-ratiopharm.

In general, to find an analogue of a Ukrainian drug in Germany, you just need to know the name of the active ingredient. And local pharmacies will easily introduce you to such medicines. However, do not forget that some medicines in this country are sold strictly on prescription.

By the way, if you intend to take your first aid kit from Ukraine, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the list of medicines that are allowed to be imported into the EU. Some medicines that Ukrainians can buy in any pharmacy may be banned in the EU.

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PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES IN GERMANY

Over-the-counter: In Germany, you can buy many medicines for headaches, mild allergies and mild stomach upsets (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen) in pharmacies.

By prescription: Strong painkillers, antibiotics and specific medicines such as insulin are only available with a doctor's prescription.

Types of prescriptions in Germany

Red prescription: This is the classic prescription for most prescription drugs. Medicines with this prescription are covered by the insurance company, but co-payments may apply.

Green prescription: If the medicine does not require a prescription, but the doctor still wants to recommend it to the patient, he or she can write a green prescription. 

Blue prescription: This is a standard prescription for people who are privately insured.

Yellow prescription: It is used for psychotropic drugs and narcotic drugs. Strict medical indications are required to obtain them.

How do I get a prescription in Germany?

In Germany, prescriptions are issued only by doctors after consultation. The insurance system covers visits to general practitioners and narrow specialists. To get a prescription, you need to see a doctor who will assess the need for a particular drug.

As for insurance, citizens who come to Germany without the intention of obtaining temporary protection status must take out health insurance that covers medical treatment or other health-related services. Such an insurance policy can be taken out online in a few minutes.

Please note that having health insurance, not only in Germany but throughout Europe, is important for access to prescription drugs and medical care in general. European insurance systems offer many options for covering medicines, outpatient and inpatient services. For Ukrainian citizens living in Germany, it is important to choose the appropriate health insurance that covers prescription drugs and treatment.

We remind you! Dental services are always expensive and time-consuming. However, statistics show that dental treatment in Ukraine is much cheaper than in Europe. Read here to find out how dental prices differ in the US, UK, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine.

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