So you got sick in China but you’re not ready to try Traditional Chinese Medicine yet? That’s OK! Here’s a useful list for when you head to the pharmacy for Western medicines.
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Note: we are not doctors! Just cross-cultural helpers trying to help you adapt to life in China – Although we consulted medical professionals and pharmacists for this post, please please please go to the hospital and find a qualified doctor before taking any medication you’re uncertain of…
And another note: All of these medications have side effects, and some more than others. Read the labels in regard to the recommended dosing of each medication to prevent serious problems and don’t forget to ask the pharmacists for clear instructions. If you can’t do that, definitely get a knowledgeable bilingual friend to help… and don’t mix any of these with alcohol if you care about your liver~
*Text is for easy copy & paste; images for saving to your device in a “Medicine” folder or something…
Pain & Fever
疼痛 发烧
téng tòng fā shāo
Acetaminaphen [əˌsiːtəˈmɪnəfən]
对乙酰氨基酚 duì yǐ xiān ān jī fēn
(ex. Tylenol, Panadol)
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):
非类固醇性消炎药
fēi lèi gù chún xìng xiāo yán yào
Ibuprofen [.aɪbju’proʊfən]
布洛芬 bù luò fēn
(ex. Motrin, Advil)
Naproxen [nə’prɒksən]
萘普生 nài pǔ shēng
(ex. Aleve)
Aspirin [‘æsprɪn]
阿司匹林 ā sī pǐ lín
(ex. Bayer, St. Joseph’s)
Cough
咳嗽
ké sòu
Dextromethorphan [dɛkstroʊmi’θɔrfn]
美沙芬 měi shā fēn
(ex. Theraflu, Vicks)
Guaifenesin [ɡjʊrɪf’nezɪn]
愈创甘油醚 yù chuàng gān yóu mí
(ex. Robitussin, Mucinex)
Throat Lozenges [θroʊt ‘lɑzəndʒ]
咳嗽糖 ké sòu táng
(ex. Halls, Ricola, Golden Throat 金嗓子 jīn sǎng zǐ)
English teachers everywhere swear by this stuff!
Other useful terms:
Benzocaine [benzəʊ’keɪn]
苯佐卡因 běn zuǒ kǎ yīn
Menthol [ˈmenθɔ:l]
薄荷醇 bò hé chún
Head & Sinus Congestion
耳鼻喉炎
ěr bí hóu yán
Decongestants: [.dikən’dʒestənt]
减充血剂 jiǎn chōng xuè jì
Pseudoephedrine [sjuːdoʊ.ᵻˈfɛdrɪn]
假麻黄碱 jiǎ má huáng jiǎn
(ex. Sudafed)
Oxymetazoline [ɒksɪmɛtəzə’lin]
羟甲唑啉 qiǎng jiǎ zuò lín
(ex. Sinex, Telnase)
Sore Throat, Headache, Earache & Body Aches (Infections)
喉咙痛, 头痛, 耳痛, 浑身疼（感染）
hóu lóng tòng, tóu tòng, ěr tòng, hún shēn téng, (gǎn rǎn)
Acetaminaphen [əˌsiːtəˈmɪnəfən]
对乙酰氨基酚 duì yǐ xiān ān jī fēn
(ex. Sore throat lozenges, Cepacol, Strepsils)
(see above)
General Antibiotics [.æntaɪbaɪ’ɑtɪk]
抗生素 kàng shēng sù
Penicillin [.penə’sɪlɪn]
青霉素 qīng méi sù
Amoxicillin [əˌmɔːksiˈsiːlən]
阿莫西林 ā mò xī lín
Sneezing, Runny Nose, Watery Eyes
打喷嚏, 流鼻涕, 流泪
dǎ pēn tì, liú bí tì, liú lèi
Antihistamine [.æntɪ’hɪstə.min]
抗组胺药 kàng zǔ àn yào
(ex. Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra)
Upset Stomach
胃不舒服
wèi bú shū fú
Bismuth subsalicylate [‘bɪzməθ sʌb’sæləsɪˌleɪt]
碱式水杨酸铋 jiǎn shì shuǐ yáng suān bì
(ex. Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate)
Bicarbonate Tablets [ˌbaɪ’kɑ:bənət]
碳酸氢钠片 tàn suān qīng nà piàn
(ex. Alka Seltzer)
Simethicone [‘saɪmθɪkəʊn]
西甲硅油 xī jiǎ guī yóu
(ex. Gas-X)
Antacids [ænt’æsɪd]
解酸药 jiě suān yào
(ex. Rolaids, Tums)
Dimenhydrinate [ˌdaɪmen’haɪdrəˌneɪt]
茶苯海明 chá běn hǎi míng
(ex. Dramamine)
Constipation
便秘
biàn mì
Senna glycoside [‘senə ‘glaɪkəˌsaɪd]
番泻叶 fān xiè yè
(ex. Ex-Lax)
Other useful terms:
Glycerin [‘ɡlɪsərɪn]
甘油 gān yóu
Bisacodyl [‘bɪzəkədɪl]
比沙可啶 bǐ shā kě dìng
Diarrhea
腹泻（拉肚子）
fù xiè （lā dù zǐ ）
Attapulgite [ətæ’pʌldʒɪt]
凹凸棒石 āo tū bàng shí
(ex. Diocalm, Diatrol)
Loperamide [‘ləʊpərəmɪd]
洛哌丁胺 luò pài dīng àn
(ex. Imodium A-D)
Bismuth subsalicylate [‘bɪzməθ sʌb’sæləsɪˌleɪt]
碱式水杨酸铋 jiǎn shì shuǐ yáng suān bì
(ex. Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate)
(see above)
Sleep Issues
睡眠问题
shuì mián wèn tí
Antihistamine [.æntɪ’hɪstə.min]
抗组胺药 kàng zǔ àn yào
(see above)
Diphenhydramine [dɪfen’hɪdrʌmən]
苯海拉明 běn hǎi lā míng
(ex. Benadryl, Tylenol PM)
Melatonin [.melə’toʊnɪn]
褪黑素 tuì hēi sù
Skin Allergy & Itching
皮肤过敏和瘙痒
pí fū guò mǐn sào yǎng
Antihistamine [.æntɪ’hɪstə.min]
抗组胺药 kàng zǔ àn yào
(see above)
Diphenhydramine [dɪfen’hɪdrʌmən]
苯海拉明 běn hǎi lā míng
(see above)
Nasal Allergy
鼻过敏
bí guò mǐn
Cromolyn sodium [k’rɒməʊlɪn ‘soʊdiəm]
色甘酸钠 sè gān suān nà
(ex. Nasalcrom)
