Mike's American. He came to Beijing last month for cardiac treatment. After his consultation at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, his doctor prescribed several medications to manage his condition. Mike filled the prescription, but when he returned to his hotel and tried to understand the dosage instructions, he was completely lost.
Then came the pharmacy.
"The pharmacist handed me three boxes of medicine.
Box 1: 阿莫西林胶囊 (Amoxicillin)
Box 2: 复方甘草片 (Compound Licorice Tablets)
Box 3: 布洛芬缓释胶囊 (Ibuprofen Sustained-Release)
I stared at the boxes. Which one is for fever? Which one is for cough?
The pharmacist spoke zero English. I spoke zero Chinese.
I pointed at Box 1. She shook her head. Pointed at Box 2. Nodded.
I left. Still didn't know what I was supposed to take."
Mike's story is common. Very common.
The Medicine Confusion Problem
Here's what happens:
- Doctor writes prescription (in Chinese)
- You pay at the payment machine
- You go to the pharmacy
- Pharmacist hands you boxes (all in Chinese)
- You have no idea what's what
Even if you speak some Chinese, medicine names are brutal.
"阿莫西林胶囊" = Amoxicillin Capsules
"布洛芬缓释胶囊" = Ibuprofen Sustained-Release
"复方甘草片" = Compound Licorice Tablets
Try remembering that.
Even Chinese People Get Confused
Here's a secret: Chinese people also struggle with this.
Last week, I saw a Chinese lady in her 60s at the pharmacy. She had 5 boxes of medicine. Asked the pharmacist:
"这个一天几次？" (How many times a day?)
"饭前还是饭后？" (Before or after meals?)
If Chinese people ask, what chance do foreigners have?
The Dosage Problem
Even if you know what the medicine is, the dosage instructions are in Chinese.
Common instructions:
- 一日三次 = Three times a day
- 饭后服用 = Take after meals
- 空腹服用 = Take on empty stomach
- 睡前服用 = Take before bed
- 必要时服用 = Take as needed
Mike didn't know any of this. He took all three medicines at once. Wrong.
How We Handle This
When we're with clients at the pharmacy, we do three things:
- Ask the pharmacist to explain (in Chinese, we translate)
- Write down instructions in English (on the box or phone)
- Take photos of the boxes (for future reference)
Example from last week:
Client: Sarah (British)
Medicine: 3 boxes
Box 1: Antibiotic — Take 1 capsule, 3x/day, after meals, for 7 days
Box 2: Cough syrup — Take 10ml, 2x/day, before bed
Box 3: Fever reducer — Take 1 tablet, as needed, if fever > 38.5°C
We wrote this on her phone. She still has it.
Helpful Tips for Going Alone
If you're going to the pharmacy alone:
- Use translation apps (Google Translate, Pleco, WeChat scan)
- Ask the pharmacist (point, gesture, they'll understand)
- Take photos (of the boxes and instructions)
- Ask for English names (many medicines have English names on the box)
- Write down dosage (use numbers, they're universal)
Or... bring someone who speaks Chinese →
The Real Issue
Medicine confusion isn't just about language.
It's about knowing what to ask.
Most people don't know they should ask:
- "Which one is for my symptom?"
- "How many times per day?"
- "Before or after meals?"
- "Any side effects?"
- "Can I drink alcohol while taking this?"
We know to ask. Because we've been here before.
Bottom Line
Chinese medicine names are confusing.
But confusion isn't permanent. Once you know what to ask, it gets easier.
Next time you're at a Chinese pharmacy, remember: Even Chinese people ask the pharmacist for help. It's okay to not know.
Just make sure you leave with clear instructions. Your health depends on it.