市 販 薬(しはんやく)

しはんやく

noun

over-the-counter medicine; OTC drug

health

1. over-the-counter medicine; OTC drug

Medicine that can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies and drugstores.

市販薬(しはんやく)で様子(ようす)を見(み)る。

I'll see how it goes with over-the-counter medicine.

市販薬(しはんやく)を飲(の)んだけど効(き)かない。

I took OTC medicine but it's not working.

軽(かる)い症状(しょうじょう)なら市販薬(しはんやく)で対応(たいおう)できる。

For mild symptoms, you can manage with over-the-counter medicine.

Usage

市販薬(しはんやく) (also called OTC医薬品(いやくひん)) is available at drugstores and pharmacies without a prescription. In Japan, they are classified into categories with different sales restrictions.

Common collocations

市販薬(しはんやく)を買(か)う (to buy OTC medicine)
市販薬(しはんやく)で治(なお)す (to cure with OTC medicine)
市販薬(しはんやく)の風邪薬(かぜぐすり) (OTC cold medicine)

Related words

処方薬(しょほうやく): prescription medicine
ドラッグストア: drugstore
薬局(やっきょく): pharmacy
第一類(だいいちるい)医薬品(いやくひん): first-class OTC drugs (pharmacist consultation required)

Related Words

Related: 処方薬(しょほうやく) (prescription medicine)

Related: ドラッグストア (drugstore)

Related: 薬局(やっきょく) (pharmacy)

Related: 頭痛薬(ずつうやく) (headache medicine)

Related: 風邪薬(かぜぐすり) (cold medicine)

Related: 解熱剤(げねつざい) (fever reducer)

Compare: 常用薬(じょうようやく) (regular medication)

Compare: 頓服薬(とんぷくやく) (medicine taken as needed)

general

Added 2026.2.3 21:23 · Revised 2026.10.5 4:36

09500/09834_shihanyaku