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A pharmacy in Turkey is called an eczane and is run by a qualified pharmacist who can advise on minor illnesses and sell over-the-counter medicines. Prescription medicines need a Turkish prescription; British prescriptions are not accepted. Pharmacies open during the day, and an on-duty rota (nöbetçi eczane) covers nights, Sundays and holidays.
Finding a pharmacy
Look for the word Eczane on the sign. In central Istanbul there is usually one within a few minutes' walk, often several on the same street near hospitals.
Most pharmacies open during the day from Monday to Saturday and close on Sundays and public holidays. Outside those hours, a rota of on-duty pharmacies stays open. Our guide to finding a 24-hour pharmacy in Istanbul explains how the system works and how to find the nearest one.
What a pharmacist can help with
Turkish pharmacists are university-trained and used to advising on everyday problems. For minor complaints a pharmacy is a sensible first stop.
They can help with:
- Colds, sore throats and mild fever
- Mild stomach upsets, including oral rehydration salts
- Insect bites, minor skin irritation and sunburn
- Blisters, small cuts and dressings
- Hay fever and mild allergy symptoms
- Travel sickness, constipation and indigestion
- Sunscreen, insect repellent and first-aid basics
Tell the pharmacist about any conditions you have, any medicines you take, allergies, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Follow their advice and the packet; this guide names no doses.
The prescription boundary
Many medicines that need a prescription in Türkiye can only be sold with a prescription written by a doctor here. That includes antibiotics and most medicines for long-term conditions.
The UK government's travel advice is clear that British prescriptions are not accepted in Turkish pharmacies. The same practical limit applies to prescriptions from most other countries. If you need a prescription medicine, a doctor must assess you first and decide whether a prescription is appropriate. A doctor visit at your accommodation, such as a prescription assessment at your hotel, avoids a hospital trip for routine needs.
Our guide to antibiotics in Turkey explains why pharmacies should not hand them over without a prescription.
Brand names and language
Medicine brand names are different in Türkiye. The active ingredient is what matters, so carry the generic names of anything you take regularly, or a photo of the packet showing them.
In central Istanbul many pharmacists speak some English, but not all do. A short note with your symptom, allergy and medicine names helps, and translation apps work well for simple questions. Our list of common over-the-counter medicines and their Turkish names helps you ask for the right thing.
Receipts and travel insurance
Ask for a receipt for anything you buy. If you later claim on travel insurance, the insurer will usually want receipts, and for prescription medicines, a copy of the prescription and the doctor's report. Our guide to travel insurance documents after a doctor visit in Istanbul lists what to keep.
Bringing your own medicines
The simplest way to avoid pharmacy problems is to arrive with enough of your regular medicines for the whole trip, plus a few extra days. Keep them in their original packaging, in your hand luggage, with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter. Controlled drugs are treated as prohibited goods at Turkish customs, and anything that might be restricted must be declared. Our guide to travelling to Turkey with prescription medication explains the rules and paperwork.
Buying medicines safely
Buy medicines only from a licensed pharmacy (Eczane). Avoid market stalls, street sellers, unofficial websites and "pharmacy" shops aimed at tourists that are not clearly a registered eczane. Check the packaging is sealed and in date. Leaflets are in Turkish, so ask the pharmacist to write the instructions on the box, or translate the key lines with an app. Do not stock up on prescription medicines "just in case", and be cautious with supplements and herbal products you do not know, as some interact with regular medicines.
Useful phrases at the pharmacy
- Merhaba, bir şey sorabilir miyim? Hello, can I ask something?
- … alerjim var: I am allergic to …
- Hamileyim: I am pregnant
- Reçetesiz satılıyor mu? Is it sold without a prescription?
- Nasıl kullanmalıyım? How should I take it?
- Fiş alabilir miyim? Can I have a receipt?
Medical supplies and devices
Pharmacies also stock thermometers, plasters and dressings, supports and braces, and often blood pressure monitors and glucose test strips. If you need equipment delivered, health monitoring devices and travel health essentials can be brought to your accommodation.
Pharmacies and pregnancy, children and long-term conditions
Pharmacists in Türkiye are used to advising families, pregnant women and people with long-term conditions, but they can only give safe advice if they know the full picture. Always say if the medicine is for a child and give the age and weight; children's doses differ from adults' and many products are not suitable for younger ages. Say "hamileyim" if you are pregnant or "emziriyorum" if you are breastfeeding. Mention conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease or stomach ulcers, and any regular medicines, including blood thinners. If the pharmacist hesitates or suggests a doctor, take the advice: it usually means the safest option needs an assessment first.
Prices and payment
Medicine prices in Türkiye are regulated, and pharmacies accept cards and cash. Keep the receipt (fiş) for anything you buy, as travel insurers usually want it, together with any prescription.
When a pharmacy is the wrong first stop
A pharmacy is for minor problems. See a doctor instead if:
- Symptoms have lasted several days without improving
- You have a high temperature that will not come down
- You need a prescription medicine, or have run out of one
- You are pregnant, elderly, or caring for a baby or young child who is unwell
- You have a long-term condition that is getting worse
Sources
Related Services
- Hotel Doctor in Istanbul — an examination at your hotel, Airbnb or residence when a pharmacy is not enough.
- Prescription at Your Hotel — a doctor assesses you and decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
- Medical Store — travel health essentials delivered to your accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use my prescription from home in a Turkish pharmacy?
- No. British prescriptions are not accepted in Turkish pharmacies, and the same applies to most foreign prescriptions. A doctor in Türkiye must assess you and decide whether to write a local one.
- Are pharmacies in Istanbul open at night?
- Regular pharmacies close in the evening, but an on-duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) is open in every district at night, on Sundays and on holidays.
- Do pharmacists in Istanbul speak English?
- Many in central areas speak some English, but not all. Write down your symptoms and the generic names of your medicines.
- Can I buy antibiotics at a pharmacy in Turkey?
- Antibiotics are prescription medicines in Türkiye. A doctor decides after an examination whether one is appropriate.
If you need more than a pharmacy can offer, send a WhatsApp message with your symptoms and where you are staying.