Your Medicine in Sweden: The Pharmacy Translator
Most everyday medicines are sold at any pharmacy in Sweden (apotek), but under different names. Tylenol is Alvedon, Advil is Ipren, Claritin is Loratadin. You don’t need a personnummer to buy them. Antibiotics, inhalers and most long-term medicines need a Swedish prescription. Prescriptions from home often can’t be filled here, but a Mindr doctor can issue a Swedish one, often the same day.
Medically reviewed by Dr Toha Soodhun, specialist in family medicine · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Common medicines and their Swedish names
| You know it as | Active ingredient | Ask for in Sweden | Without prescription? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tylenol, Panadol | Paracetamol | Alvedon, Panodil | Yes |
| Advil, Nurofen | Ibuprofen | Ipren, Ibumetin | Yes |
| Aleve | Naproxen | Naproxen 250 mg | Yes (250 mg) |
| Claritin | Loratadine | Loratadin | Yes |
| Zyrtec | Cetirizine | Cetirizin | Yes |
| Benadryl | Diphenhydramine | Not sold; ask for Cetirizin or Loratadin for allergy | No |
| Sudafed | Pseudoephedrine | Not sold; ask for Otrivin or Nasoferm nasal spray | No |
| Mucinex | Guaifenesin | Nipenesin, Theracough | Yes |
| Robitussin DM, Delsym | Dextromethorphan | Not sold; ask for Nipaxon (noscapine) | Nipaxon: yes |
| Dramamine | Dimenhydrinate | Calma chewing gum, or Postafen (meclizine) | Yes |
| Imodium | Loperamide | Imodium | Yes |
| Tums | Calcium carbonate | Rennie, Novalucol | Yes |
| Prilosec | Omeprazole | Omeprazol 10 or 20 mg | Some packs |
| Melatonin | Melatonin | Melatan, Aritonin 3–5 mg (jet lag, adults) | Some packs |
| Cortizone-10 | Hydrocortisone 1% | Hydrokortison cream | Yes |
| Zovirax cream | Aciclovir | Aciklovir cream or stick | Yes (tablets: no) |
| Voltaren gel | Diclofenac | Voltaren or Diklofenak gel | Yes (tablets: no) |
| Plan B | Levonorgestrel | NorLevo | Yes |
| Diflucan | Fluconazole | Needs a Swedish prescription. For vaginal thrush, Canesten cream or vaginal tablets work without one. | No |
| Antibiotics | For example amoxicillin, nitrofurantoin | Need a Swedish prescription after a doctor’s assessment | No |
Over-the-counter status checked on FASS.se, Sweden’s official medicine directory, in October 2026. Some medicines are over the counter only in certain strengths or pack sizes.
Have a prescription from home?
Swedish pharmacies can’t fill most prescriptions from abroad, so you’ll need a Swedish one. For most medicines, a doctor can prescribe it in an online video consultation through TouristDr, Mindr’s online clinic for tourists, expats and anyone in Sweden without a Swedish personal number or BankID. Show your prescription or the medicine packaging, and if the treatment is right for you, the prescription goes straight to a pharmacy near you.
Psychiatric medicines and controlled medicines, such as antidepressants, ADHD medication, strong painkillers, sleeping pills and anxiety medication, need a visit at our clinic in Gothenburg or Stockholm.
| Online consultation (TouristDr) | 2,500 SEK |
| Clinic visit, Gothenburg or Stockholm | 3,200 SEK |
| Online consultation that continues in person You only pay the difference | +700 SEK |
| Hotel or home visit, central Gothenburg or Stockholm 5,000 / 7,500 / 10,000 SEK depending on time | from 5,000 SEK |
| Receipt and insurance claim documents | Included, just ask |
Not sure which you need? Message us on WhatsApp before you book. New to healthcare in Sweden? Read our guide to seeing a doctor without a personnummer.
Travelling to Sweden with your medicines
You can bring your own prescription medicines to Sweden for personal use. How much depends on where you travel from, according to 1177:
| From an EU/EEA country | Up to 1 year’s supply |
| From outside the EEA e.g. the US, UK or India | Up to 3 months’ supply |
| Narcotic-classed medicines | Up to 30 days if you live in another Schengen country (some need a Schengen certificate). Up to 90 days of schedule IV–V medicines if you live outside Schengen. |
Keep your medicines in their original packaging with the pharmacy label showing your name, or bring a list of your prescriptions or a doctor’s letter, preferably in English. Narcotic-classed medicines include some ADHD medicines, strong painkillers and sleeping pills; check yours with Läkemedelsverket before you travel.
Running out while you’re here? A Mindr doctor can assess you and issue a Swedish prescription, often the same day. Travelling on with your medicines? We issue a medication travel certificate in English.
Pain & fever
Looking for Tylenol or Panadol in Sweden?
"Alvedon" or "Panodil"
Looking for Aleve or Naproxen in Sweden?
"Naproxen" 250 mg
Looking for Diclofenac in Sweden?
"Voltaren" (topical OTC)
Looking for Advil or Nurofen in Sweden?
"Ipren" or "Ibumetin"
Looking for Aspirin in Sweden?
"Treo" or "Aspirin"
Cold, cough & allergy
Looking for Sudafed in Sweden?
Not sold. Alternative: Otrivin
Looking for Robitussin or Delsym in Sweden?
Not sold. Alternative: Nipaxon
Looking for Claritin in Sweden?
"Loratadin"
Looking for Mucinex in Sweden?
"Nipenesin" or "Theracough"
Looking for Benadryl in Sweden?
Not sold without prescription
Looking for Zyrtec in Sweden?
"Cetirizin"
Stomach
Looking for Imodium in Sweden?
"Imodium"
Looking for Omeprazole in Sweden?
"Omeprazol"
Looking for Tums in Sweden?
"Novalucol" or "Rennie"
Jet lag & travel sickness
Looking for Melatonin in Sweden?
"Melatan" or "Aritonin"
Looking for Dramamine in Sweden?
"Calma" or "Postafen"
Skin
Looking for hydrocortisone cream in Sweden?
"Hydrokortison" cream
Looking for Antifungal cream in Sweden?
"Canesten" or "Lamisil"
Looking for Zovirax cold sore cream in Sweden?
"Aciklovir" cream or stick
Infections (prescription)
Looking for Antibiotics in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Pivmecillinam in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Valaciclovir in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Nitrofurantoin in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Fluconazole in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Sexual & reproductive health
Looking for Plan B in Sweden?
"Norlevo"
Looking for Birth Control Pills in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Viagra in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for EllaOne in Sweden?
"ellaOne"
Looking for vaginal yeast infection treatment in Sweden?
"Canesten"
Looking for Cialis in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Long-term medicines (prescription)
Looking for Insulin in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Ozempic in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Blood Pressure Medication in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Clopidogrel in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Nitroglycerine in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for EpiPen in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Metformin in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Mounjaro in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Levothyroxine in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Eliquis in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for a Ventolin or albuterol inhaler in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Zoloft or other antidepressants in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Controlled medicines (prescription)
Looking for ADHD medication in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Valium in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Codeine in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Xanax in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Ambien in Sweden?
Prescription Required
Looking for Strong Painkillers in Sweden?
Prescription Required
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FAQ – Pharmacy in Sweden for Tourists
Can tourists buy medicine at a pharmacy in Sweden?
Yes. Tourists can buy over-the-counter medication at any pharmacy in Sweden without a Swedish personal number (personnummer). Medicines such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, allergy tablets and some stomach remedies are available without prescription. However, stronger medications require a prescription issued by a licensed doctor in Sweden.
Do you need a Swedish personal number to buy medicine in Sweden?
No, you do not need a Swedish personal number to purchase over-the-counter medicine at a pharmacy in Sweden. However, prescription medications require identification and a valid Swedish prescription. Private doctors can issue prescriptions even if you do not have BankID or Swedish registration.
Can I buy medicine in Sweden with a foreign prescription?
Usually not. Swedish pharmacies can’t fill foreign e-prescriptions, even from EU countries. A paper prescription from another EU country is only accepted if it’s a cross-border prescription with all the required details, and narcotic-classed medicines can’t be dispensed even then. Prescriptions from outside the EU, such as the US, UK or Australia, aren’t accepted. Instead, a doctor in Sweden can issue a Swedish prescription, often online through TouristDr, without a Swedish personal number or BankID.
Which medicines require a prescription in Sweden?
In Sweden, antibiotics, asthma inhalers, antidepressants, ADHD medication, strong painkillers, heart medication, insulin, and most chronic treatments require a prescription. These cannot be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy in Sweden. A medical assessment is required before dispensing.
Can tourists get a prescription in Sweden?
Yes. A licensed doctor in Sweden can issue a Swedish prescription without a personnummer or BankID. Most medicines can be prescribed in an online consultation through TouristDr (2,500 SEK). Psychiatric and controlled medicines need a clinic visit in Gothenburg or Stockholm (3,200 SEK). If an online consultation needs to continue in person, you only pay the 700 SEK difference. Receipt and insurance claim documents are included, just ask. Bring your medicine packaging or a list of your medicines.
Are medicine names different in Sweden?
Yes. Many international brands have different names in Swedish pharmacies. For example, Tylenol is sold as Alvedon, and Advil is sold as Ipren. The active ingredient remains the same, but brand names differ. Always check the active substance if you are unsure.
What is Tylenol, Advil and Benadryl called in Sweden?
Tylenol is sold as Alvedon or Panodil, and Advil as Ipren or Ibumetin, both without prescription. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) isn’t sold over the counter in Sweden. For allergy, ask for Cetirizin or Loratadin instead.
Can I refill my prescription in Sweden as a visitor?
If you are visiting Sweden and need continuation of treatment, a Swedish doctor must evaluate your condition before issuing a new prescription. Pharmacies in Sweden cannot refill medication without a valid Swedish prescription, even if you have medication from another country.
What if I lost my medication while travelling in Sweden?
If you lose important medication such as insulin, asthma inhalers, antidepressants, or heart medication, seek medical care promptly. A licensed doctor in Sweden can assess your medical history and issue a new prescription if appropriate. For emergencies, call 112 immediately.
How do e-prescriptions work in Sweden?
Sweden uses a national electronic prescription system. After consultation, the doctor sends your prescription digitally to the pharmacy network. You can collect your medication at any pharmacy in Sweden by showing valid identification.
Is healthcare in Sweden available without BankID?
Yes. While public healthcare often requires BankID and a Swedish personal number, private healthcare providers like Mindr allow tourists and international visitors to book appointments without Swedish digital identification.
When should I go to the emergency room in Sweden?
Call 112 immediately for chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions, heavy bleeding, or loss of consciousness. Emergency medical services in Sweden are available to everyone, including tourists and visitors.
Is melatonin prescription-only in Sweden?
Not for jet lag. Melatonin for short-term treatment of jet lag has been sold without prescription at Swedish pharmacies since 2020, under names such as Melatan and Aritonin. Melatonin for long-term sleep problems needs a prescription.
Can I get an emergency prescription in Sweden?
Yes. If you have run out of or lost an important medicine, see a doctor at Mindr the same day, or online through TouristDr, where most patients are seen within 30 minutes. If it’s medically appropriate, the prescription goes straight to a pharmacy near you. If you are acutely unwell, call 112.