Find Your Medication Abroad — Free, Instant, No Sign-Up
Every year, millions of travellers, expats, and international patients face the same problem: they arrive in a foreign country and cannot find their medication because it is sold under a completely different brand name. A drug called Depon in Greece is sold as Panadol in the UK and Tylenol in the United States. Losec in Sweden is Prilosec in America and Mopral in France. The active substance is identical — only the name on the box changes.
What's My Medicine solves this problem instantly. Type any medication name — brand, generic, or active substance — select your destination country, and the tool tells you what that drug is called locally, whether it requires a prescription, and whether it is subject to controlled substance restrictions. The database covers 103 medications across 65 countries, including detailed warnings for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Japan, and other destinations with strict pharmaceutical regulations.
The tool is completely free, requires no registration, and stores no personal data. It was built for travellers, by someone who has experienced the frustration of searching for a familiar medication in an unfamiliar pharmacy.
Why does my medication have a different name abroad?
When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it registers different brand names in different markets — sometimes because another company already owns the name locally, sometimes simply for commercial reasons. The result is that the same active substance can be sold under dozens of different names around the world. Ibuprofen, for example, is sold as Nurofen, Advil, Brufen, Moment, Doloraz, and many other names depending on the country.
Generic medications add another layer of complexity: once a drug's patent expires, any manufacturer can produce and sell it, often under the active substance name itself — but not always. In Germany, pharmacies regularly substitute branded prescriptions with cheaper generics; in the US, the same substitution happens at the pharmacy level. A patient who asks for "their medication" by brand name abroad may be met with blank looks, while the same drug under its generic name is sitting on the shelf behind the counter.
This tool bridges that gap by maintaining a continuously updated database of brand name equivalents across 65 countries — so you can walk into any pharmacy in the world and ask for your medication by its local name.
About WhatsMYMedicine
WhatsMYMedicine.com is a free travel health tool designed for international travelers, expats, and anyone who needs to find their medication abroad. Our database covers 103 active substances across 65 countries, providing local brand names, prescription status, and controlled substance warnings.
Whether you take a daily medication for a chronic condition or carry an antibiotic for emergencies, knowing the local equivalent brand name at your destination can be critical. Some medications that are freely available in your home country may be controlled, restricted, or even banned elsewhere — particularly in Gulf states, Turkey, and parts of Asia.
How to use: Type your medication name (e.g. "Depon", "paracetamol", "Xanax") in the search box, select your destination country, and click Find Equivalent. The tool recognises both brand names and generic/active substance names across multiple languages.
Travel Medication Guide
Documentation to carry with you
Whenever you travel internationally with prescription medication, carry it in its original packaging with the pharmacy label intact — this is the single most useful thing you can do to avoid problems at customs. For controlled substances (opioids, certain anxiety or ADHD medications, strong sleeping pills), it's wise to also carry a letter from your doctor stating the diagnosis, the medication name, dosage, and the duration of treatment. Some countries — including several in the Gulf region — require this letter to be translated, notarized, or pre-approved by their embassy before you travel. If you're unsure, check with the embassy or consulate of your destination country well in advance, since processing these approvals can take several weeks.
Packing your medication for travel
Always pack essential medication in your carry-on, never in checked luggage — bags get delayed or lost, and you don't want to be without a daily medication for days. Bring more than you think you'll need: a good rule of thumb is your full course plus a few extra days, in case of flight delays or itinerary changes. If you use refrigerated medication such as insulin, ask your airline in advance about cool-bag allowances, and note that airport security can usually accommodate medically necessary liquids and gels above the standard limits if you declare them at the checkpoint.
Understanding controlled substance laws abroad
Medication that is completely unremarkable at home can be a serious legal issue elsewhere. Codeine-based painkillers, common in much of Europe, are restricted or banned in several Gulf countries. Tramadol, widely prescribed for pain in many countries, is treated as a narcotic in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and can lead to arrest if undeclared. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Valium often require special permits in Gulf states and parts of Asia. These rules change periodically and enforcement varies, so always verify directly with the embassy of your destination — our tool highlights known risk medications, but it isn't a substitute for official confirmation before you travel.
What to do if you run out of medication abroad
If you find yourself short on medication while travelling, a local pharmacist is usually your fastest resource — pharmacies in most countries can identify the local equivalent of your medication once they know the active substance (which is exactly what this tool helps you find). For prescription-only medication, you may need to visit a local doctor or walk-in clinic to get a new prescription; many countries have English-speaking clinics in major cities and tourist areas. Your travel insurance provider can often help locate English-speaking doctors and, in some cases, arrange an emergency prescription or medication delivery — this is one of the practical reasons travelers carry comprehensive travel insurance alongside their medication documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring prescription medication on a plane?
Yes, in almost all cases. Keep it in its original, labelled packaging, carry it in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage, and bring a copy of your prescription. For liquids and injectables (like insulin), declare them at the security checkpoint — most countries allow medically necessary items above standard liquid limits.
Do I need a doctor's letter for my medication?
It's not always required, but it's strongly recommended for controlled substances such as strong painkillers, certain anxiety medications, ADHD medication, or sleeping pills — especially when travelling to the Gulf states, parts of Asia, or anywhere with strict narcotics laws. A letter stating your diagnosis, medication, and dosage can prevent serious misunderstandings at customs.
What happens if my medication is illegal in the country I'm visiting?
Consequences vary by country and substance — from confiscation to detention or prosecution in the most serious cases. If a medication you need is restricted at your destination, contact that country's embassy before travelling to ask about permits, exceptions, or alternative medications that are legal locally.
Can I buy my medication without a prescription abroad?
It depends entirely on the country and the medication. Some drugs that require a prescription at home are sold over the counter elsewhere, and vice versa — our tool shows the prescription status for each medication in each destination country so you know what to expect before you arrive.
How do I find a pharmacy that stocks the local equivalent of my medication?
Once you know the local brand name (which is exactly what this tool gives you), most pharmacies abroad can locate it easily. If a specific pharmacy doesn't carry it, ask for the active substance name rather than the brand — pharmacists are trained to recognise generic names even when the local brand is unfamiliar to you.
Why is the brand name of my medication completely different abroad?
Pharmaceutical companies often license different brand names to different markets, sometimes through different licensing partners, and trademark availability varies by country. The active substance — the actual drug — is almost always the same; only the marketing name changes, which is why searching by active substance is usually the most reliable approach.
Are generic and brand-name medications the same?
Generic medications contain the same active substance, at the same dosage, and are held to the same efficacy and safety standards as the original branded product in most regulated markets. The difference is typically price and packaging, not the medical effect.
What should I do if my medication is questioned or held at customs?
Stay calm and cooperative, and present any documentation you have — original packaging, prescription, or a doctor's letter. If the issue isn't resolved on the spot, ask to contact your embassy or consulate, which can assist in clarifying the situation with local authorities.
📚 Travel Health Guides
Contact Us
We welcome feedback, corrections, and suggestions for new medications or countries to add. If you spot an inaccuracy or want to report a missing drug, please get in touch.
⚕️ For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified pharmacist or physician before taking any medication. Brand availability may vary by region and over time. UAE controlled-substance information reflects MOHAP regulations — verify before travel.