Whether you are picking up a prescription at a French pharmacy, explaining a patient’s treatment plan, or trying to understand what a doctor just told you, medication vocabulary is non-negotiable. This guide covers the language you need — from reading an ordonnance to discussing side effects.
Key vocabulary: the prescription (l’ordonnance)
In France, most medications require a prescription (une ordonnance) from a doctor. Understanding what is written on one — or being able to discuss it — requires familiarity with a core set of terms.
| French term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| une ordonnance | a prescription |
| renouveler l’ordonnance | to renew the prescription |
| la posologie | dosage instructions |
| la dose | dose / dosage |
| comprimé (m) | tablet |
| gélule (f) | capsule |
| sirop (m) | syrup / liquid medicine |
| pommade (f) | cream / ointment |
| gouttes (f pl) | drops (eye/ear/nasal) |
| patch (m) / timbre (m) | patch (transdermal) |
Dosage and frequency
French prescriptions use standardised phrasing for when and how to take medication:
- Prendre 1 comprimé 3 fois par jour — Take 1 tablet 3 times a day
- À jeun — On an empty stomach
- Pendant les repas — With food
- Le soir au coucher — At bedtime
- Toutes les 8 heures — Every 8 hours
- En cas de douleur — As needed for pain
- Pendant 7 jours — For 7 days
- Ne pas dépasser la dose prescrite — Do not exceed the prescribed dose
Generic vs brand name medications
France has a strong culture of generic prescribing. When a pharmacist offers a générique, they are substituting a branded drug for a cheaper equivalent. Patients can refuse (Je préfère la marque d’origine), but this has cost implications under the French health system.
- médicament générique — generic medication
- médicament de marque — branded medication
- principe actif — active ingredient
- remboursé par la Sécurité Sociale — reimbursed by the national health system
- non remboursé — not reimbursed (patient pays full price)
Understanding reimbursement connects directly to how French medical documents and reimbursement slips work.
Side effects and contraindications
- effets secondaires / effets indésirables — side effects
- Ce médicament peut provoquer des nausées — This medication may cause nausea
- Évitez l’alcool pendant le traitement — Avoid alcohol during treatment
- Contre-indiqué en cas de grossesse — Contraindicated during pregnancy
- Allergie médicamenteuse — Drug allergy
- Interaction médicamenteuse — Drug interaction
In a clinical context: Avez-vous des antécédents d’allergie médicamenteuse ? (Do you have a history of drug allergies?)
At the pharmacy
French pharmacies are identified by a green cross. Pharmacists are well-trained and often give advice directly for minor issues.
- J’ai une ordonnance de mon médecin. — I have a prescription from my doctor.
- Avez-vous quelque chose contre la toux ? — Do you have something for a cough?
- Est-ce que c’est remboursé ? — Is this reimbursed?
- Je dois présenter ma carte Vitale ? — Do I need to show my Vitale card?
- Je prends déjà de l’ibuprofène, est-ce compatible ? — I’m already taking ibuprofen — is this compatible?
Discussing ongoing treatment with a doctor
- Je prends du [médicament] depuis [durée]. — I have been taking [medication] for [duration].
- J’ai arrêté le traitement parce que… — I stopped the treatment because…
- Est-ce qu’on peut ajuster la dose ? — Can we adjust the dose?
- Ça ne semble pas faire effet. — It doesn’t seem to be working.
- J’ai du mal à tolérer ce médicament. — I’m having difficulty tolerating this medication.
Healthcare professionals taking patient histories will find more complete phrasing in how to take a patient history in French. For a broader foundation, the essential medical expressions guide covers the full range of clinical communication.
Common medication categories in French
- antalgique / analgésique — painkiller
- anti-inflammatoire — anti-inflammatory
- antibiotique — antibiotic
- antihypertenseur — antihypertensive
- anticoagulant — anticoagulant / blood thinner
- anxiolytique — anxiolytic / anti-anxiety
- antidépresseur — antidepressant
- corticoïde — corticosteroid
- somnifère / hypnotique — sleeping pill