A Traveller’s Guide to Pharmacies in Türkiye 2026: On-Duty Pharmacies and Medicine Names

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English editorial review: 8 October 2026.

Illness during a trip can mean finding an open pharmacy and explaining a medicine name unfamiliar to the pharmacist. This guide covers pharmacy hours, prescription rules, some names you may encounter and insurance paperwork.

Safety clarification, 8 October 2026: Brand names are included for identification, not as treatment recommendations. Arveles and Dolorex are not equivalents of ibuprofen. Metpamid is a prescription medicine, and Silverdin is not a general remedy for every minor burn. Ask a pharmacist or doctor to check the exact product and its suitability.

1. Opening hours and on-duty pharmacies​

Pharmacies are called Eczane. Ordinary hours vary locally, so do not rely on a universal Monday-to-Saturday 09:00–19:00 timetable.

Outside normal hours, including Sundays and public holidays, designated Nöbetçi Eczaneler provide duty service. The number of pharmacies, area served and duration of duty depend on the local rota; there is not necessarily one open for 24 hours in every neighbourhood.

Find the current official list for your province and district. A closed pharmacy may display the duty pharmacy’s address. A map search for “Nöbetçi Eczane” can help with directions, but verify the date and telephone the pharmacy before travelling.

2. What requires a prescription?​

Antibiotics require an appropriate prescription; they should not be used to treat viral colds or influenza. A doctor licensed to practise in Türkiye can assess you and issue an appropriate prescription where necessary. Valid dispensing procedures are not limited universally to electronic prescriptions or doctors of Turkish nationality.

Certain strong pain, psychiatric, sleep and other controlled medicines have stricter requirements. Red and green prescription classifications apply to specified medicines; it is inaccurate to put all psychiatric or sleep medicines in one category.

Some paracetamol, cold, vitamin, skin or stomach products may be available without a prescription, but this depends on the exact product. Non-prescription availability does not establish that a medicine is suitable for every traveller.

3. Medicine names you may encounter​

Show the pharmacist the active ingredient, strength and original pack wherever possible. Brands and combination formulations can differ between countries and between products within the same range.

Pain and fever: The original guide mentions Parol and Tylol alongside the familiar name Panadol, and Calpol for children. Ask the pharmacist to verify the exact ingredients, concentration and suitability. Children’s dosing depends on the product, age, weight and clinical advice; do not infer a dose from the brand name.

Arveles contains dexketoprofen and Dolorex tablets contain diclofenac potassium. Brufen is an ibuprofen brand: the first two must not be requested as identical replacements for it. These medicines have important precautions and contraindications, particularly for certain stomach, kidney, cardiovascular or pregnancy-related circumstances.

Cold and nasal symptoms: Names in the original guide include Tylol Hot, Nurofen Cold & Flu, Otrivine and a nasal product written as Illiadin. Verify the spelling and exact formulation with the pharmacist. Combination cold products and nasal medicines are not suitable for everyone; check interactions, duplicate ingredients and how long the product may be used.

Stomach complaints: The original examples are Talcid and Gaviscon for products used for heartburn or reflux, and Metsil for gas-related symptoms. The appropriate product depends on the cause and severity of the complaint.

Metpamid contains metoclopramide and is prescription-only. It should not be treated as a routine self-selected remedy for car sickness or every episode of nausea; it has specific indications and important neurological precautions.

Skin and muscle products: The original names include Silverdin, Stilex, Voltaren and Muscoflex. These are different medicines, with different formulations and uses. Silverdin contains silver sulfadiazine and has specified burn or wound indications; do not apply it indiscriminately to minor household burns. Ask a clinician or pharmacist about bites, burns or muscle pain and the exact product proposed.

4. Insurance and payment​

If your policy covers prescribed medicines, keep the pharmacy invoice, prescription and any claim documents requested by the insurer. Direct payment and reimbursement depend on the policy, provider arrangements, limits and exclusions; a receipt alone does not guarantee reimbursement.

Medicine prices are regulated for authorised products. Ask for the price of the exact pack and an itemised receipt. Check the barcode, medicine and pack size instead of expecting bargaining or assuming every price must be printed visibly on the box.

Before leaving, make sure you understand the dose, duration and precautions. A short check with the pharmacist can prevent confusion when travelling.

Official references​


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