Getting a Prescription

Receiving medicine instructions and buying medication at a pharmacy.

You
Buenas tardes. Tengo esta receta del doctor. ¿Tienen estos medicamentos?
BWEH-nahs TAHR-dehs. TEHN-goh EHS-tah reh-SEH-tah dehl dohk-TOHR. tee-EH-nehn EHS-tohs meh-dee-kah-MEHN-tohs?
Good afternoon. I have this prescription from the doctor. Do you have these medications?
In many Latin American countries, pharmacies ('farmacias') can sell some medications without a prescription that would require one in the US. Always ask the pharmacist for guidance.
Pharmacist
Sí, los tenemos. Este antibiótico se toma cada ocho horas con comida.
see, lohs teh-NEH-mohs. EHS-teh ahn-tee-bee-OH-tee-koh seh TOH-mah KAH-dah OH-choh OH-rahs kohn koh-MEE-dah.
Yes, we have them. This antibiotic is taken every eight hours with food.
You
¿Por cuántos días lo debo tomar? ¿Tiene efectos secundarios?
pohr KWAHN-tohs DEE-ahs loh DEH-boh toh-MAHR? tee-EH-neh eh-FEHK-tohs seh-koon-DAH-ree-ohs?
For how many days should I take it? Does it have side effects?
Key pharmacy vocabulary: 'pastilla' (pill), 'jarabe' (syrup), 'pomada' (ointment), 'gotas' (drops), 'inyección' (injection).
Pharmacist
Por siete días. Puede causar un poco de sueño. No tome alcohol mientras lo use.
pohr see-EH-teh DEE-ahs. PWEH-deh kow-SAHR oon POH-koh deh SWEH-nyoh. noh TOH-meh ahl-koh-OHL mee-EHN-trahs loh OO-seh.
For seven days. It can cause a little drowsiness. Don't drink alcohol while using it.
You
Entendido. ¿También tiene algo para el dolor que no necesite receta?
ehn-tehn-DEE-doh. tahm-bee-EHN tee-EH-neh AHL-goh PAH-rah ehl doh-LOHR keh noh neh-seh-SEE-teh reh-SEH-tah?
Understood. Do you also have something for pain that doesn't need a prescription?
Over-the-counter pain relievers are called 'analgésicos de venta libre'. Common brands may differ from what you know at home, so describe what you need and let the pharmacist recommend.