Medicine in Turkey: Know how to find the things you need when you need them

Are you struggling to figure out where to find medicine in Turkey? I’ve got you covered. I know I was confused myself when I first moved here.

Navigating a new healthcare system can be tricky, especially when it’s not what you’re used to back home. As someone who has lived here for years now, I know firsthand how confusing it can be.

Finding simple, everyday items – from headache relief to prescription meds – isn’t always as straightforward as back home, where everything’s conveniently stocked at your local Walmart.

But don’t worry! I’m here to share some of the most helpful tips I’ve picked up along the way.

From locating pharmacies to understanding what’s available over the counter, this guide will save you time, frustration, and those moments of “Where on earth do I find this?”

Let’s dive in and make your search for medicine in Turkey simple and stress-free.

Where to find medical things

If you are looking for medicines or medical things, you will typically have to go to a pharmacy, here called an eczane.

The big markets like Carrefour and Migros don’t, however, have a pharmacy in them like stores in the States. 

However, if you are at a mall, there will surely be a pharmacy inside. 

They will all have this logo followed by “Eczane”. It is pronounced “ejzanā”. Typically you’ll see something else on the sign and it is the location of the eczane.

While some markets will carry things like bandaids or small things you might find in a pharmacy, if you need any type of medical or medical equipment you need to go to an eczane. 

If you need things like gauze or more “medical supply” type of stuff you can Google Maps “medikal” and find something close to you. 

I recently needed some gauze for some post-surgery care and that is where I went to get it. Some pharmacies will have some of that stuff as well. 

Equivalent medicine in turkey

So how can you find the medicine you need now when visiting Turkey? Well, I will provide a few equivalents that I have found useful.

But I want to explain how you can find it yourself so you can always find what you need! One of the ones I used a lot, especially in the fall, is Mucinex. I didn’t think I would be able to find it here.

You can see the chart below for equivalent counterparts like Miralax or Imodium in Turkey.

With this page, you can look at what is available for specific treatments. For instance, say you have allergies, swelling, or sinusitis, you can select that treatment and see the available medicines in Turkey.

With this page, you can look up specific medicine and see its equivalent here in Turkey. It doesn’t tell you if you need a prescription or not just that it is available.

Something to note about prescriptions here is that most things don’t require a prescription. For instance, blood pressure medicine can be purchased without one.

Some pain pills and more serious medications require a prescription but more more can be purchased over the counter here.

Prices and Availability

Something I noticed is that medicine is more reasonably priced in Turkey. Many people will come and stock up on something they use in the States but can get here without a prescription. 

Some medications that need a prescription in the States do not need one here, like blood pressure medication for instance.

Things like antibiotics, strong pain meds, etc. will required but it would be worth asking to find out if you have something you take regularly that can be purchased here and taken home with you. 

Generally speaking, green and red medicines are not sold without a prescription.

Green drugs contain psychotropic substances (alprazolam, diazepam, etc.). Red drugs contain narcotic substances (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, etc.). The red drugs are prescribed when there is a psychological disorder, advanced forms of cancer, and other serious diseases. (Interview with a Pharmacist)

You used to be able to buy antibiotics without one but because they have been quite overused, they started requiring a prescription. You also can’t buy Benadryl without a prescription, just FYI. From what I understand it has to do with the fact that it crosses the blood-brain barrier.

How to get a prescription?

If you need a prescription, you can go to an international hospital like Medipol, Medical Park, or Acibadem and get a prescription from a doctor, who often also speaks English. 

Foreign hospitals also often have translators if necessary for more than just English, though that is the most common.

Pro tip: keep your receipts for medical stuff when traveling. You might be able to submit them to insurance for reimbursement but you will need receipts.

You would have to check your travel health insurance to see if it would be covered but even if it isn’t, the cost is generally quite reasonable, however.

Pro tip: Most Turks will go to the emergency room if they don’t have an appointment. While to us it may seem excessive, it is common practice here. 

Talk with a pharmacist

It is always an option to talk to the pharmacist. If you find a grumpy one, just try another pharmacy because generally, Turks are extremely helpful! They want to make sure you are getting what you need.

There have been a few times when I simply used Google Translate because I wasn’t ready for the conversation that needed to happen.

If you can show them what you want, they can help you get what you need. I have found pharmacists to be quite helpful here.

Medical Tourism

Another thing that is becoming popular in Turkey is medical tourism. Many people are coming over for services like nose jobs, hair implants, and dental care.  There is an increase in this especially in Istanbul.

You will see men walking around with sweatbands around their heads and a red scalp.  People come from Europe and other nearby countries.

I have a friend whose mom came over for dental work. It was cheaper for her to fly here, hang out for a few weeks, and cover the dental work than it was to do it in her home country. 

In general, the quality of medical care is really good. I do encourage you to not go to a “devlet hastanesi” or public hospital.

You will have a harder time finding someone who speaks English and generally, it isn’t the same quality as a private hospital, the same as in any other country. 

Other options are university hospitals. When I first got here I had an issue with my foot and the orthopedist I went to spoke English as well and was so incredibly helpful. 

Where to go for everyday things in Turkey

All the major markets, A101, Sok, Mopas, BIM and so on will have groceries, a limited selection of personal care products, and cleaning products.

For personal care products and everyday makeup, you will go to places like Gratis, Rossman, and Watsons.

They have a pretty good selection and you can often find more natural products especially when it comes to hair.

If you need random items for your house/place you’re staying, check out what they call the milyoncu.

They are shops that carry a million different things and you can often find what you want.

Each one is a little different and carries different things but after visiting a couple you’re likely to find what you need.

There are sometimes bigger markets like the Carrefour hypermarket and the MMM or 5M Migros. These places are similar to a Super Target or Walmart Supercenter.

You will find more in one place but often will have to use a taxi (or your car if you rent/own a car) to get home.

Final thoughts on meds in Turkey

Navigating the world of finding medical care in Turkey might initially seem overwhelming, especially if you’re accustomed to a different system.

The key takeaway is that while the process might differ from what you’re used to, there are reliable ways to access the medications and care you need.

For medical supplies, the go-to places are pharmacies, known as eczanes, which you can find conveniently in malls or by looking for the recognizable “Eczane” sign.

Understanding equivalent medications in Turkey is a valuable tool for visitors. Although some brands might differ, the local counterparts can effectively serve your needs.

Additionally, the affordability and accessibility of medicine in Turkey make it an appealing destination for medical tourism.

Private hospitals and university medical facilities offer reliable care, and consulting pharmacists can help bridge language barriers and guide you toward suitable options.

By embracing these tips and being open to the unique offerings of Turkey, you can confidently manage your health needs during your time here.

Make sure you read the Packing Travel Hacks and How to Pack your Carry-on so you don’t lose your medicine.