Indian Medicine Equivalents in Europe: What to Buy at the Pharmacy

Finding Indian Medicine Equivalents at European Pharmacies

One of the most common practical frustrations for newly arrived NRIs in Europe is not knowing what to ask for at a pharmacy. Indian brand names like Dolo, Digene, or Zincovit simply don't exist here — but the active ingredients do, often under different names and formulations. This guide maps the most commonly used Indian medicines to their European equivalents.

Fever and Pain Relief

Dolo 650 / Calpol / Paracip: These are all paracetamol (acetaminophen) at 500mg or 650mg. In Europe, ask for Paracetamol (the generic name) — universally available over-the-counter in all EU pharmacies. Standard EU tablets are 500mg. For 650mg equivalent, simply take 1.3 tablets or ask the pharmacist for the closest available dose (some countries stock 665mg extended-release formulations).
Brufen / Combiflam (ibuprofen component): Ask for Ibuprofen — 200mg or 400mg tablets available OTC across Europe. Combiflam is ibuprofen + paracetamol combined; the equivalent in Europe is Ibuprofen + Paracetamol combination tablets (e.g., Maxigesic in some countries, or take both separately).
Saridon: Contains paracetamol + propyphenazone + caffeine. No direct OTC equivalent in most EU countries — propyphenazone is restricted. Ask for paracetamol or ibuprofen as alternatives.

Digestive and Antacid Medicines

Digene (tablet/gel): Active ingredients are magnesium hydroxide + aluminum hydroxide + simethicone — a classic antacid. Ask for Maalox (widely available in Poland, Netherlands, Germany) or Rennie for calcium carbonate-based antacids. Gelusil is available in some Eastern European pharmacies.
Eno (fruit salt): Sodium bicarbonate-based effervescent antacid. European equivalent: Sodibic or simply ask for sodium bicarbonate sachets. In Poland, Sodium Wodorowęglan sachets are available at Apteka.
Hajmola / digestive churna: These are ayurvedic digestive aids — no direct European pharmaceutical equivalent. Indian grocery stores in major European cities (Warsaw, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt) often stock them. Search for "Indian grocery" or "Asian food store" near you.
Pan-D / Omez (pantoprazole/omeprazole): These are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Omeprazole is available OTC in most EU countries (Losec, Prilosec). Pantoprazole may require a prescription in some EU countries. Ask the pharmacist for the OTC version.

Vitamins and Supplements

Zincovit: Multivitamin with zinc. Ask for any Multivitamin + Zinc combination — brands like Supradyn, Centrum, or Pharmaton are widely available. All large European pharmacy chains (Rossmann, dm in Germany/Poland, Kruidvat in Netherlands) stock multivitamin tablets.
Becosules (B-complex): Ask for Vitamin B Complex tablets — universally available OTC. Neurobion (Germany, Netherlands) is a good equivalent for the B1/B6/B12 component.
Revital / Glucon-D (glucose/energy): Dextrose tablets or glucose sachets available at pharmacies and sports stores in Europe.

What Requires a Prescription in the EU

Several medicines commonly available over-the-counter in India require a prescription in Europe:

Antibiotics (Azithromycin/Azithral, Amoxicillin/Mox, Ciprofloxacin/Cipro): All antibiotics require a doctor's prescription across the EU. Do not attempt to buy these OTC — pharmacists are legally prohibited from dispensing them without a prescription.
Tramadol, codeine-based painkillers: Prescription-only or controlled substances across EU.
Most anti-allergy/antihistamines: Cetirizine (Zyrtec equivalent of Cetrizine in India) is OTC in most EU countries, but stronger formulations require prescription.

If you regularly use prescription medicines from India, see a GP (general practitioner) in your European country as soon as possible to get a local prescription. EU countries typically have national health insurance for legal residents — in Poland, register with NFZ (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia) to access subsidized healthcare.

Keep your health insurance documents organized alongside your other residency documents in the Document Tracker tool — never miss a renewal date.