Antibiotics in Spain?

[Lizbiebrowne]

Feeling a little under the weather in Spain, I think I’ve picked up an ear infection. Can I get antibiotics from a local Farmacia? There’s also a Drogueria nearby, not sure if that’s different to a Farmacia.

 

[Rapido925M]

We never had any problems when we lived in Marbella in 2009, other than explaining what we required (our local pharmacist was German but his daughter spoke good english). Cost approx €10-14

However, the Spanish health system was very good at deciding what was best: get a urine infection and ring the surgery; get an appointment to see the doctor in 2 days; she issued a chitty for a specimen to be analysed; get an appointment with the technician in 2 days; results come back within 3 days; get appointment to see doctor in 2 days; presented with two A4 sheets listing all the tests and the efficiencies of various antibiotics at fighting the problem; 5 minute discussion checking no allergies; prescription issued and tablets acquired from pharmacy next day (approx €2). Typically 10 days of agony!

Gordon

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

We never had any problems when we lived in Marbella in 2009, other than explaining what we required (our local pharmacist was German but his daughter spoke good english). Cost approx €10-14

However, the Spanish health system was very good at deciding what was best: get a urine infection and ring the surgery; get an appointment to see the doctor in 2 days; she issued a chitty for a specimen to be analysed; get an appointment with the technician in 2 days; results come back within 3 days; get appointment to see doctor in 2 days; presented with two A4 sheets listing all the tests and the efficiencies of various antibiotics at fighting the problem; 5 minute discussion checking no allergies; prescription issued and tablets acquired from pharmacy next day (approx €2). Typically 10 days of agony!

Gordon

Option 1 sounds better!

 

[Mikeco]

A few years ago you could them over the counter from a Phamacia but the last time we tried around 3 years ago they had stopped doing it and you had to see a Doctor.

 

[seasideBill]

Unpredictable, but my experience is that many pharmacists in Spain will sell you medicine only available in UK on prescription. BTW definitely not the case in France.

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[gus-lopez]

Should be able to get ab ear drops no problem

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Should be able to get ab ear drops no problem

Thanks, there’s a pharmacy about 10 mins walk from here so I’ll try them in the morning.

 

[scotzsue]

We never had any problems when we lived in Marbella in 2009, other than explaining what we required (our local pharmacist was German but his daughter spoke good english). Cost approx €10-14

However, the Spanish health system was very good at deciding what was best: get a urine infection and ring the surgery; get an appointment to see the doctor in 2 days; she issued a chitty for a specimen to be analysed; get an appointment with the technician in 2 days; results come back within 3 days; get appointment to see doctor in 2 days; presented with two A4 sheets listing all the tests and the efficiencies of various antibiotics at fighting the problem; 5 minute discussion checking no allergies; prescription issued and tablets acquired from pharmacy next day (approx €2). Typically 10 days of agony!

Gordon

Urine infection and rigors in spain, was told nearest NHS equivallent surgery in the resort, 1 hour later had been seen by Dr urine tested, prescription for antibiotics and pain relief 2 days later fever gone and relatively pain free how i wish i had noted the name of the treatment.
Hopefully Lizbiebrowne you will get it sorted out soon.

 

[Reallyretired]

Unless you have some expertise i would suggest you see a Dr there. Charges are usually reasonable.
Although a pharmacy will sell you an antibiotic they will only give you what you ask for which may be unsuitable.
I have bought such things in the past but have some knowledge (though retired 14 years so a tad out of date)

 

[cyberyacht]

Drogueria is more a chemist than pharmacy, I think. Bit like Superdrug compared with Boots.

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[jumartoo]

Some pharmacies might still sell AB's but most won't any more.

Go to your nearest Centro de Salud (the smaller the town /village the better) with your EHIC and go to see a doctor for a prescription.

You may have to pay for them, but they're only a few euros a pack.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Unless you have some expertise i would suggest you see a Dr there. Charges are usually reasonable.
Although a pharmacy will sell you an antibiotic they will only give you what you ask for which may be unsuitable.
I have bought such things in the past but have some knowledge (though retired 14 years so a tad out of date)

Actually I am a chemist but the industrial ICI type so I’m not familiar with various types of antibiotics. The

Unless you have some expertise i would suggest you see a Dr there. Charges are usually reasonable.
Although a pharmacy will sell you an antibiotic they will only give you what you ask for which may be unsuitable.
I have bought such things in the past but have some knowledge (though retired 14 years so a tad out of date)

Actually I am a chemist but the industrial ICI type so I’m not familiar with various types of antibiotics and their applications. Antibiotic eardrops mentioned by Guy-Lopez sound like a good start.

 

[Littlewheels]

Usually they are okay to supply once you show a repeat prescription or a packet of what you usually use, they are not willing to diagnose and prescribe.
There are many private Doctors in the Resort areas that you can walk into and get a prescription following examination at a cost of €30-€50 perhaps costly but immediate treatment.

 

[jumar]

As jumartoo said...the Centro Salud (Health Centre) is there to be used....your GHIC and Passport should get a visit to a Doctor who will determine if the pain originates from within the ear or elsewhere... Prescription will follow if required...

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Thanks everyone for your help. Went to the nearest pharmacy this morning and bought some antibiotic ear drops, €7.50. Started the treatment so hopefully it will soon settle down.

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[Aly1]

Thanks everyone for your help. Went to the nearest pharmacy this morning and bought some antibiotic ear drops, €7.50. Started the treatment so hopefully it will soon settle down.

When I worked in the walk in centre we weren’t allowed to prescribe ciprofloxacin ear drops because of antibiotic resistance.
Really you would have been better getting someone to look in your ear because if you have a middle ear infection they won’t do much.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

When I worked in the walk in centre we weren’t allowed to prescribe ciprofloxacin ear drops because of antibiotic resistance.
Really you would have been better getting someone to look in your ear because if you have a middle ear infection they won’t do much.

I’ll see how these drops work over the next few days. If things don’t improve I’ll try and find someone to take a look in my ear. I’ll probably be in Portugal by then so I guess their systems might be different to those in Spain.

 

[pampam]

Mums just been given this we arent sure if its chest or uti or both with her dementia , shes definately poorly weak, rattly chest and hallucinating, found her on floor two mornings in a row, i thought she might have pneumonia, doctor wont come out, have been prescribed these,

 

[Aly1]

Mums just been given this we arent sure if its chest or uti or both with her dementia , shes definately poorly weak, rattly chest and hallucinating, found her on floor two mornings in a row, i thought she might have pneumonia, doctor wont come out, have been prescribed these,

I’ve been retired 3 years so out of date but someone elderly, falling and confused should definitely have a home visit to assess her fully! It does sound like pneumonia.

 

[jumar]

I’ll see how these drops work over the next few days. If things don’t improve I’ll try and find someone to take a look in my ear. I’ll probably be in Portugal by then so I guess their systems might be different to those in Spain

The only difference you might find in Portugal is the language barrier is less of a issue.

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[Dutch 68]

As jumartoo said...the Centro Salud (Health Centre) is there to be used....your GHIC and Passport should get a visit to a Doctor who will determine if the pain originates from within the ear or elsewhere... Prescription will follow if required...

As I just posted in the GP appointments thread, GP and ambulance services here in Spain are superb as we have just found out, if only the NHS performed half as good……