市販薬(しはんやく)

しはんやく
noun
over-the-counter medicine; OTC drug
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.

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 TERMS:

  • 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)
general
Added 2026.2.3 21:23
09500/09834_shihanyaku