Travel essentials · Cold and cough

Cold and cough

4 medicines sold for this, and what each is called in 15 countries.

Pick where you're going

United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Germany
France
Mexico
Ethiopia
Japan
Vietnam
Singapore
Morocco
Portugal
Türkiye
Italy
Spain

Medicines sold for it

MedicineAlso known as

PseudoephedrineDecongestantSudafed in the US

GuaifenesinExpectorant (chesty cough)Mucinex in the US

DextromethorphanCough suppressant (dry cough)Robitussin DM or Delsym in the US

Oxymetazoline (nasal spray)Nasal decongestant sprayAfrin in the US

Reading the stamps

OTC: Over the counter. Take it off the shelf.
Rx only: Needs a local doctor’s prescription.
OTC / Rx: OTC or Rx depending on dose or form (e.g. nasal spray vs. inhaler).
No Rx: Ask Pharmacist: No prescription, but a pharmacist has to hand it over.
Controlled (Rx): A prescription works, but expect scrutiny, paperwork, and harder refills.
Banned: Do Not Bring: No legal personal-use pathway. Do not bring it in.
Unavailable: Not sold in this country. Bring it from home.
Status unknown: We couldn’t find reliable information on how it is sold here.
Not verified: General market knowledge, not registry-checked.
Unconfirmed: Verify locally before relying on it.
Registry-verified: Registered with that country's official medicines registry. Stock still varies by pharmacy.

Seed data for a prototype

Compiled from general pharmacology knowledge, not a live regulatory feed. Brand names, availability, and prescription status change and vary by region and even by pharmacy. Confirm with a local pharmacist or physician before relying on this while traveling.

This product uses publicly available data from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services; NLM is not responsible for the product and does not endorse or recommend this or any other product.

Rx Abroad · Know what to ask for, wherever you land