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Which Medicines Need a Prescription in Spain? 116 Common Medicines Checked (2026)
Medical Review
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 2 October 2026
116 common medicines checked against Spain's official medicines database: what you can buy without a prescription, what needs one, and how it compares with the UK.
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Pharmacy rules in Spain surprise many visitors. Some medicines you buy freely at home need a prescription here, and a few work the other way round. This reference lists 116 common medicines and whether you can buy them without a prescription in a Spanish pharmacy (farmacia), with the UK status alongside for comparison.
Key facts
- Of the 116 medicines checked, 80 need a prescription in Spain in every marketed form, 26 depend on the strength or pack, and 10 are always sold without one.
- All antibiotics need a prescription in Spain, and pharmacists cannot prescribe them.
- Some medicines sold over the counter in the UK need a prescription in Spain, including fluconazole for thrush, sildenafil (Viagra), sumatriptan, tamsulosin, permethrin for scabies and mebendazole for threadworms.
- A few go the other way: some melatonin and 1 g paracetamol are sold without a prescription in Spain.
- Prescriptions from outside the EU, including the UK and the US, are not dispensed in Spain. Prescriptions from other EU countries usually are.
How we checked
Spanish status comes from CIMA, the official medicines database of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), checked on 2 October 2026 for every currently marketed single-ingredient medicine. "Depends on strength/pack" means CIMA lists both prescription and non-prescription packs. UK status is a general guide to the usual legal category and can differ by strength or pack. Rules change: check the pack or ask the pharmacist.
Pain and fever
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol (Paracetamol) | Depends on strength/pack | 500 mg and 1 g tablets and oral solutions sold without prescription; some packs need one | Over the counter (500 mg; small packs) |
| Ibuprofen (Ibuprofeno) | Depends on strength/pack | 200–400 mg without prescription; 600 mg needs one | Over the counter (200–400 mg) |
| Aspirin (Ácido acetilsalicílico) | Depends on strength/pack | 500 mg without prescription; low-dose heart packs need one | Over the counter |
| Naproxen (Naproxeno) | Prescription only | All marketed single-ingredient packs need a prescription | Mostly prescription (low-dose period-pain packs from pharmacies) |
| Diclofenac (Diclofenaco) | Depends on strength/pack | Gels and topical solutions without prescription; tablets need one | Gel over the counter; tablets prescription |
| Dexketoprofen (Dexketoprofeno) | Depends on strength/pack | 12.5–25 mg in small packs without prescription; others need one | Prescription only |
| Metamizole (Metamizol) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Not licensed in the UK |
| Tramadol (Tramadol) | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) | Prescription only (controlled) |
| Codeine (Codeína) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Low-dose combinations from pharmacies; otherwise prescription |
| Hyoscine butylbromide (Butilescopolamina) | Depends on strength/pack | 10 mg tablets and suppositories without prescription; others need one | Over the counter (10 mg) |
Allergy, colds and cough
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cetirizine (Cetirizina) | Depends on strength/pack | Some 10 mg packs without prescription; most need one | Over the counter |
| Loratadine (Loratadina) | Depends on strength/pack | One 10 mg pack without prescription; most need one | Over the counter |
| Desloratadine (Desloratadina) | Depends on strength/pack | Some 5 mg packs without prescription; most need one | Prescription only |
| Ebastine (Ebastina) | Depends on strength/pack | Some 10–20 mg packs without prescription; most need one | Not marketed in the UK |
| Bilastine (Bilastina) | Depends on strength/pack | Some 20 mg packs without prescription; most need one | Prescription only |
| Fexofenadine (Fexofenadina) | Depends on strength/pack | One 120 mg pack without prescription; others need one | Over the counter (120 mg) |
| Dexchlorpheniramine (Dexclorfeniramina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Not marketed (chlorphenamine sold over the counter) |
| Hydroxyzine (Hidroxizina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Oxymetazoline nasal spray (Oximetazolina (spray nasal)) | Without prescription | Without prescription | Over the counter |
| Xylometazoline nasal spray (Xilometazolina (spray nasal)) | Without prescription | Without prescription | Over the counter |
| Fluticasone (Fluticasona) | Depends on strength/pack | One nasal spray without prescription; inhalers and others need one | Nasal spray over the counter; inhalers prescription |
| Mometasone (Mometasona) | Prescription only | Prescription only (nasal and skin) | Mostly prescription |
| Budesonide (Budesonida) | Depends on strength/pack | One 64 µg nasal spray without prescription; inhalers need one | Mostly prescription |
| Dextromethorphan (Dextrometorfano) | Without prescription | Without prescription | Over the counter |
| Acetylcysteine (Acetilcisteína) | Depends on strength/pack | Many 600 mg packs without prescription; others need one | Not sold over the counter |
| Ambroxol (Ambroxol) | Depends on strength/pack | Many syrups and lozenges without prescription | Not marketed in the UK |
Stomach and gut
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omeprazole (Omeprazol) | Depends on strength/pack | 20 mg in packs of 14 without prescription; others need one | Over the counter (20 mg, small packs) |
| Pantoprazole (Pantoprazol) | Depends on strength/pack | A few 20 mg packs without prescription; most need one | Pharmacy (20 mg, small packs) |
| Esomeprazole (Esomeprazol) | Depends on strength/pack | A few 20 mg packs without prescription; most need one | Over the counter (20 mg, small packs) |
| Famotidine (Famotidina) | Depends on strength/pack | 10 mg without prescription; higher strengths need one | Prescription only |
| Almagate (antacid) (Almagato (antiácido)) | Without prescription | Without prescription | Not marketed (other antacids over the counter) |
| Loperamide (Loperamida) | Without prescription | Without prescription | Over the counter |
| Racecadotril (Racecadotrilo) | Depends on strength/pack | One 100 mg pack without prescription; others need one | Prescription only |
| Metoclopramide (Metoclopramida) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Domperidone (Domperidona) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Ondansetron (Ondansetrón) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Dimenhydrinate (travel sickness) (Dimenhidrinato (mareo)) | Without prescription | Without prescription | Not marketed (other travel-sickness tablets over the counter) |
| Bisacodyl (Bisacodilo) | Without prescription | Without prescription | Over the counter |
| Lactulose (Lactulosa) | Prescription only | Prescription only (as a registered medicine) | Over the counter |
| Macrogol (Macrogol) | Prescription only | Single-ingredient medicines need a prescription | Over the counter |
Antibiotics
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin (Amoxicilina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Co-amoxiclav (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) (Amoxicilina + ácido clavulánico) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Azithromycin (Azitromicina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Clarithromycin (Claritromicina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Doxycycline (Doxiciclina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Ciprofloxacin (Ciprofloxacino) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Levofloxacin (Levofloxacino) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Cefuroxime (Cefuroxima) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Fosfomycin (Fosfomicina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Nitrofurantoin (Nitrofurantoína) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Metronidazole (Metronidazol) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Clindamycin (Clindamicina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Mupirocin cream (Mupirocina (crema)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Fusidic acid cream (Ácido fusídico (crema)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Tobramycin eye drops (Tobramicina (colirio)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
Antifungals and antivirals
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluconazole (Fluconazol) | Prescription only | Prescription only, including the 150 mg thrush capsule | Over the counter (150 mg for thrush) |
| Clotrimazole (Clotrimazol) | Depends on strength/pack | Creams and vaginal products mostly without prescription | Over the counter |
| Miconazole (Miconazol) | Prescription only | Marketed packs need a prescription | Over the counter (creams, oral gel) |
| Terbinafine (Terbinafina) | Depends on strength/pack | Cream without prescription; tablets need one | Cream over the counter; tablets prescription |
| Aciclovir (Aciclovir) | Depends on strength/pack | Cold-sore cream without prescription; tablets need one | Cream over the counter; tablets prescription |
| Valaciclovir (Valaciclovir) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) (Oseltamivir) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
Asthma, heart and long-term conditions
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salbutamol inhaler (Ventolin) (Salbutamol (Ventolin)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Montelukast (Montelukast) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Atorvastatin (Atorvastatina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Simvastatin (Simvastatina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Rosuvastatin (Rosuvastatina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Amlodipine (Amlodipino) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Enalapril (Enalapril) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Ramipril (Ramipril) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Losartan (Losartán) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Bisoprolol (Bisoprolol) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Hydrochlorothiazide (Hidroclorotiazida) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Furosemide (Furosemida) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Apixaban (Apixabán) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Acenocoumarol (Sintrom) (Acenocumarol (Sintrom)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only (warfarin more common) |
| Clopidogrel (Clopidogrel) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Metformin (Metformina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Insulin glargine (Insulina glargina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) (Semaglutida (Ozempic, Wegovy)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) (Tirzepatida (Mounjaro)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Levothyroxine (Eutirox) (Levotiroxina (Eutirox)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Allopurinol (Alopurinol) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Colchicine (Colchicina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Prednisone (Prednisona) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only (prednisolone more common) |
| Prednisolone (Prednisolona) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Adrenaline auto-injector (Adrenalina (autoinyector)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
Mental health, sleep and nerves
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sertraline (Sertralina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Fluoxetine (Fluoxetina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Escitalopram (Escitalopram) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Citalopram (Citalopram) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Mirtazapine (Mirtazapina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Diazepam (Diazepam) | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) | Prescription only (controlled) |
| Lorazepam (Lorazepam) | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) | Prescription only (controlled) |
| Alprazolam (Alprazolam) | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) | Private prescription only (controlled) |
| Zolpidem (Zolpidem) | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) | Prescription only (controlled) |
| Melatonin (Melatonina) | Depends on strength/pack | Some 3–5 mg medicines without prescription; 2 mg prolonged-release needs one | Prescription only |
| Sumatriptan (Sumatriptán) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Over the counter (50 mg, pharmacy) |
| Rizatriptan (Rizatriptán) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Pregabalin (Pregabalina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) |
| Gabapentin (Gabapentina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) |
| Methylphenidate (ADHD) (Metilfenidato (TDAH)) | Prescription only | Prescription only (controlled) | Prescription only (controlled) |
Sexual and reproductive health
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning after pill (levonorgestrel 1.5 mg) (Píldora del día después (levonorgestrel 1,5 mg)) | Without prescription | 1.5 mg emergency pill without prescription | Over the counter (pharmacy) |
| Ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) (Acetato de ulipristal (ellaOne)) | Without prescription | 30 mg emergency pill without prescription | Over the counter (pharmacy) |
| Estradiol (HRT) (Estradiol (THS)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Mostly prescription (low-dose vaginal tablets from pharmacies) |
| Sildenafil (Viagra) (Sildenafilo (Viagra)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Over the counter (50 mg, pharmacy) |
| Tadalafil (Cialis) (Tadalafilo (Cialis)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Finasteride (Finasterida) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Tamsulosin (Tamsulosina) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Over the counter for some men (pharmacy) |
Skin, parasites and other
| Medicine | Spain | Details in Spain | UK (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone cream (Hidrocortisona (crema)) | Depends on strength/pack | 0.5% creams without prescription; stronger ones need one | Over the counter (1%) |
| Betamethasone (Betametasona) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Permethrin cream (scabies) (Permetrina (crema, sarna)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Over the counter (pharmacy) |
| Mebendazole (threadworms) (Mebendazol (oxiuros)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Over the counter (pharmacy) |
| Nicotine replacement (Sustitutos de nicotina) | Without prescription | Patches, gum and sprays without prescription | Over the counter |
| Cytisinicline (stop smoking) (Citisiniclina (dejar de fumar)) | Prescription only | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Vitamin D (colecalciferol) medicines (Vitamina D (colecalciferol), medicamentos) | Prescription only | Registered medicines need a prescription; food supplements are sold separately | Supplements widely sold; high-dose medicines prescription |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pharmacist in Spain prescribe medicines?
No. Pharmacists in Spain give advice and sell non-prescription medicines, but only a doctor (or a dentist, for dental problems) can prescribe.
Can I buy prescription medicines online in Spain?
No. Legal Spanish online pharmacies may only sell non-prescription medicines. Websites selling prescription medicines without a prescription are illegal.
How do I get a prescription in Spain as a visitor?
See a doctor licensed in Spain, in person or by video. If a medicine is clinically appropriate, a private doctor can issue an electronic prescription valid at any Spanish pharmacy. See our guide to using a UK prescription in Spain.
Can I cite or link to this table?
Yes. Please link to this page as the source.
Need a prescription in Spain? Book a video consultation with an online doctor in Spain for urgent, non-emergency care. A prescription is only issued when clinically appropriate. In an emergency, call 112.
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
