All medicines
Destination · ES
Spain
What 82 common medicines are sold as in Spain, and whether you can buy them over the counter. Take extra care with anything controlled or banned if you're bringing your own.
Entry summary
- Controlled (Rx)5
- Rx only52
- OTC / Rx3
- No Rx: Ask Pharmacist19
- Unavailable3
In Spain, all medicines are sold in pharmacies only and kept behind the counter. For ones that need no prescription, just ask the pharmacist at the counter.
Customs
Bringing your own medicine into Spain
Spain asks for a permit only for controlled medicines.
Narcotics and psychotropics
Oxycodone, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse), alprazolam and similar. Officially, you need a permit from the Spanish medicines agency (AEMPS) before you travel. At the least, carry the medicine in its original labeled container with your prescription.
- Email the agency’s narcotics and psychotropics unit, following the instructions on its page. Spanish consulates advise applying at least 10 days ahead.
- Send the application form, a signed medical certificate giving your diagnosis, treatment and daily dose, your prescription, a copy of your passport and your travel tickets.
- The permit covers up to three months of treatment and is valid for three months.
- Carry the permit with the medicine and show it if asked.
Other medicines
You may bring up to a three-month supply, in line with your prescription. Carry the prescription or a doctor’s report, as border officials may ask for it.
Spanish medicines agency: travelers’ medicinesMedicineAsk forStatus
LoratadineAntihistamine, non-sedatingAsk forClarityneGeneric name here: LoratadinaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
DiphenhydramineAntihistamine, sedatingAsk forSoñodorGeneric name here: DifenhidraminaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
PseudoephedrineDecongestantAsk forFrenadol DescongestivoGeneric name here: PseudoefedrinaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
DimenhydrinateAntiemetic / motion sicknessAsk forBiodraminaGeneric name here: DimenhidrinatoNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
AmlodipineCalcium channel blocker (blood pressure)Ask forNorvas / AstudalGeneric name here: AmlodipinoRx only
Amphetamine / DextroamphetamineStimulant (ADHD), controlled substanceAsk forElvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Generic name here: LisdexanfetaminaControlled (Rx)
HydrochlorothiazideDiuretic (blood pressure)Ask forHidrosaluretil / EsidrexGeneric name here: HidroclorotiazidaRx only
SemaglutideGLP-1 agonist (diabetes/weight)Ask forOzempic / WegovyGeneric name here: Semaglutida Rx only
TrazodoneAntidepressant (commonly used off-label for sleep)Ask forDepraxGeneric name here: TrazodonaRx only
Hydrocodone / Paracetamol combinationOpioid analgesic combination, controlled substanceAsk forNot sold hereControlled (Rx)
No hydrocodone product is marketed in Spain. The equivalents here combine tramadol or codeine with paracetamol.
FluticasoneCorticosteroid (nasal spray / inhaler)Ask forFlixonaseGeneric name here: FluticasonaRx only
Insulin GlargineLong-acting insulinAsk forLantus / Abasaglar / ToujeoGeneric name here: Insulina glarginaRx only
Insulin AspartRapid-acting insulinAsk forNovoRapid / FiaspGeneric name here: Insulina aspartaRx only
Insulin Human (Regular)Short-acting insulinAsk forActrapid / Humulina RegularGeneric name here: Insulina regularRx only
Insulin Isophane (NPH)Intermediate-acting insulinAsk forInsulatard / Humulina NPHGeneric name here: Insulina isófana (NPH)Rx only
Insulin DetemirLong-acting insulinAsk forNot sold hereUnavailable
Levemir is no longer sold in Spain. Other long-acting insulins sold here: glargine (Lantus, Abasaglar, Toujeo) and degludec (Tresiba).
Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)NSAID / antiplateletAsk forAspirina / AdiroGeneric name here: Ácido acetilsalicílicoOTC / Rx
OxycodoneOpioid analgesic, controlled substanceAsk forOxyContin / OxynormGeneric name here: OxicodonaControlled (Rx)
MethylphenidateStimulant (ADHD), controlled substanceAsk forConcerta / Rubifen / MedikinetGeneric name here: MetilfenidatoControlled (Rx)
Diclofenac (topical gel)NSAID, topical (pain-relief gel)Ask forVoltadol / Voltaren EmulgelGeneric name here: DiclofenacoOTC / Rx
FexofenadineAntihistamine, non-sedatingAsk forTelfastGeneric name here: FexofenadinaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
GuaifenesinExpectorant (chesty cough)Ask forCinfatós Expectorante / FormulaexpecGeneric name here: GuaifenesinaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
DextromethorphanCough suppressant (dry cough)Ask forCinfatósGeneric name here: DextrometorfanoNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
Oxymetazoline (nasal spray)Nasal decongestant sprayAsk forRespibien / UtabonGeneric name here: OximetazolinaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
Calcium carbonate (antacid)Antacid (heartburn)Ask forRennieGeneric name here: Calcio carbonatoNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
Oral rehydration saltsRehydration (diarrhea, heat, vomiting)Ask forSueroralGeneric name here: MulticomponenteNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
MeclozineAntiemetic / motion sicknessAsk forChiclidaGeneric name here: MeclozinaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
Hydrocortisone (cream)Mild steroid cream (itch, rash, bites)Ask forCalmioxGeneric name here: HidrocortisonaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
Bacitracin / Neomycin / Polymyxin B (antibiotic ointment)Topical antibiotic (cuts and scrapes)Ask forBactroban / FucidineRx only
The US-style triple antibiotic ointment is not sold in Spain. Antibiotic ointments here are mupirocin (Bactroban) and fusidic acid (Fucidine), and they need a prescription.
DoxylamineSleep aid (sedating antihistamine)Ask forDormidinaGeneric name here: DoxilaminaNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
Levonorgestrel (emergency contraception)Emergency contraceptiveAsk forNorlevo / PostinorNo Rx: Ask Pharmacist
DoxycyclineAntibiotic, tetracycline (also malaria prevention)Ask forVibracina / DoxiclatGeneric name here: DoxiciclinaRx only
AzithromycinAntibiotic, macrolide (traveler’s diarrhea)Ask forZitromaxGeneric name here: AzitromicinaRx only
CiprofloxacinAntibiotic, fluoroquinolone (traveler’s diarrhea)Ask forSold generic as "Ciprofloxacino"Rx only
Scopolamine (motion-sickness patch)Antiemetic patch (motion sickness)Ask forNot sold hereUnavailable
The register has scopolamine only as a prescription injection, not a motion-sickness patch.
Epinephrine (adrenaline auto-injector)Emergency treatment for severe allergic reactionsAsk forAltellus / JextGeneric name here: EpinefrinaRx only