A common dilemma for expats, especially newcomers, is how many bottles of cough syrup and packets of paracetamol to bring back after every home visit. Yi Jun Fang, Associate Pharmacy Manager at Shanghai United Family Hospital, assures us it\u2019s not necessary to fit an entire medicine cabinet in our suitcase, especially over-the-counter medicines. \u201cBring sufficient supplies of essential medication, such as treatment for blood pressure, Type II diabetes or asthma, but rest as- sured, most other medicines are available here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pharmacies in China cannot fill a prescription from a doctor in your home country. \u201cFor any prescription medication, you will need a new prescription from a licensed doctor in China. It\u2019s helpful to bring your current prescription to any new doctor as a reference. Medication is usually filled by the pharmacy located within the hospital where the physician practices. Local drug stores and pharmacies on the street tend not to stock prescription medications,\u201d said Yi Jun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
nternational healthcare providers carry most of the common medi- cines used overseas, or their equivalent local brands. \u201cThere may be a more limited range of medicine strengths, oral contraceptive pills, and palatable, easy-to-eat children\u2019s medications. There is also a strong possibility of only one of each kind of drug available,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yi Jun advises that certain life-saving medicines are not readily avail- able in China, like EpiPen self-injectable epinephrine kits for people at risk of anaphylactic shock, and Glucagon self-injectable kits for those at risk of hypoglycemia. Be sure to bring these items with you, if they are needed. Other specific products you may have difficulty finding include Benadryl, Capsaisin, 81mg baby aspirin, muscle rub, Tri-vi-sol, and vitamin drops for children aged 3 and under (except Vit D3 drops).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use medication disposal services at international clinics to avoid environmental damage from flushing unused or expired medicines, or potential health risks from reselling on the black market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minor illnesses and pains can usually be treated with medicines most expats bring from home, but what if their supply suddenly runs out? Pharmacies in Shanghai can be very daunting, given the un- familiar language and abundance of medicine lining the shelves. To help navigate through the confusion and find the familiar remedies you need, here is a helpful list of over-the-counter equivalents to Western medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The equivalent of DayQuil and NyQuil, Bai Jia Hei treats cold and flu symptoms with two types of pills: white for non-drowsy daytime relief and black for nighttime to help you sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only popular in the West, Tylenol remains a favorite with the Chinese as well. It can be used as a pain reliever, fever reducer and decongestant. It can also treat the common cold and the flu. Make sure you ask for the right kind, though \u2013 pain relief (\u6b62\u75db zh t\u00f2ng<\/em>), sinus congestion (\u9f3b\u585e b\u00ed sa\u012b<\/em>) or common cold (\u611f\u5192 g\u00e0<\/em>n m\u00e0o<\/em>). For those who prefer aspirin (\u963f\u53f8\u5339\u6797as\u012bp l\u00edn) <\/em>it is usually available too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Claritin treats allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes, as well as itchy skin and other skin symptoms. This US-based product is known for its decongesting and non-drowsy effects, and is available in Chinese pharmacies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Red Flower Oil stops back, joint, and muscle pain, as well as inflammatory swelling, bleeding and numbness of the limbs. It also helps provide relief for sprains, bruises, cuts, burns and mosquito bites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robitussin\u2019s Chinese brand, Hui Fei Ning, provides relief for those with a persistant cough by alleviating inflammation. The honey- flavored syrup is a household necessity for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the closest thing you can find in China to Neosporin is Rivanol Trauma Cream, which sterilizes and disinfects skin wounds. After thoroughly cleaning the wound, grab some Band-aids ( b\u0101ng d\u00ed <\/em>\u90a6\u8fea or chu\u00e0ng k\u011b ti\u0113 <\/em>\u521b\u53ef\u8d34).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Handy capsule Ibuprofen can relieve mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, joint pain, migraine, toothache and muscle pain. It can also be used to alleviate fever caused by the common cold or the flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The closest thing to Tums in Chinese pharmacies, and on the mar- ket since 1998, this antacid alleviates the discomfort associated with heartburn, stomachaches and bloating. In 2005, it was even deemed China\u2019s Trademark Stomach Medicine by the Chinese State Administration of Industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re prone to motion sickness, then you\u2019ve got to get the Clear Route Carsickness Patch. It prevents nausea or dizziness when you get carsick, airsick or seasick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The closest equivalent to Pepto-Bismol, this powder provides relief to those with an upset stomach or diarrhea. It also helps ease abdominal pain for those with various stomach illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nature\u2019s Bounty produces a line of vitamins and supplements for all needs. Their products include a multivitamin, Vitamin B and Vitamin C.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Allergies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u5f00\u745e\u5766 k\u0101i ru\u00ec t\u00e0n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Joint \/ Body \/ Muscle Pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Red Flower Oil – \u6b63\u7ea2\u82b1\u6cb9 zh\u00e8ng h\u00f3ng hu\u0101 y\u00f3u<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bronchitis \/ Cough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u60e0\u83f2\u5b81 hu\u00ec f\u0113i n\u00edng<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cuts \/ Scrapes \/ Burns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rivanol Trauma Cream – \u5229\u51e1\u8bfa\u521b\u4f24\u818f l\u00ec f\u00e1n nu\u00f2 chu\u0101ngsh\u0101ng g\u0101o<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Headache \/ Fever<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ibuprofen Capsules – \u5e03\u6d1b\u82ac\u80f6\u56ca b\u00f9 lu\u00f2 f\u0113n ji\u0101on\u00e1ng<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Heartburn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u65af\u8fbe\u8212 s\u012b d\u00e1 sh\u016b<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Motion Sickness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u9014\u723d\u6655\u8f66\u8d34 t\u00fa shu ng y\u00f9nch\u0113 ti\u0113<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Diarrhea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u8499\u8131\u77f3\u6563 m\u00e9ng tu\u014d sh\u00ed s\u00e0n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vitamins \/ Supplements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u81ea\u7136\u4e4b\u5b9d z\u00ecr\u00e1n zh\u012b b\u00e1o<\/h3>\n\n\n\n