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South Africans in Germany

We are not medical professionals and cannot give any medical advice.   
We do however have contact with a qualified Pharmacist who offered to answer questions you might have about substitutes for South African health products.
We cannot give any information about prescription medication.
We have listed some suggestions for over the counter items.
Please always refer to your doctor or own pharmacist before taking medication.
This is not to be seen as medical advice, only as a suggestion for substitutes for South African products

There are many online pharmacies where you can buy “over the counter” medication.
You can also submit your prescriptions (Rezept) online and have them delivered to your home. 

Substitute list

South African ProductProduct InformationPossible German alternative
Citro-Soda“Citro-soda is a single solution for a variety of acid-related problems including heartburn, indigestion and the symptoms of UTI while combating of high uric acid levels which can lead to gout.”
according to the Citro-Soda brand, you can get at Clicks – Each tablet contains: Sodium carbonate – 1690mg. Tartaric acid – 856mg. Citric acid – 700mg. Sodium citrate – 612mg. Contains sugar (liquid glucose) – 447mg. Pharmacological classification: A 18.3. Ion-exchange preparations.
If you really want it you can ask a pharmacist to make it for you, although it is best to speak to your doctor and get a prescription for your specific situation.
Tartaric acid – die Weinsäure, Citric acid – die Zitronensäure, Sodium citrate – das Natriumcitrat, Sodium carbonate – das Natriumcarbonat
Heartburn, indigestion and the symptoms of UTI – Sodbrennen, Berdauungsstörungen und die Symptome von Harnwegsinfektionen
High uric acid – hohe Harnsäurespiegel, Gout – Gicht
Enoeach 5.0g dose contains: sodium bicarbonate 2.32g, anhydrous citric acid 2.18g, sodium carbonate 0.50g
Med-LemonEach sachet contains: Aspirin 800 mg, Caffeine 50 mg, Ascorbic Acid 45 mg, Menthol 2,6 mg, Sucrose 4254,63 mg.A possible substitute is Grippostad granules or the Grippostad Heißgetränk
Deep-HeatS0 Mentholatum Deep Heat® Rub. A13.5 Rubefacients. Each 100 g contains: 12.8 g Methyl Salicylate & 5.91 g Menthol. Voltaren Forte gel
Pferdesalbe
Tiger Balm
ThermaCare
SOS Pain Stop Gel
Rescue drops The Rescue drops contain the following 8 ingredients: Ambra grisea, Banisteriopsis caapi Spag D60, Clematis vitalba (Clematis), Helianthemum nummularium (Rock Rose), Impatiens glandulifera (Impatiens), Melissa officinalis Spag D3, Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem) and Prunus cerasifera (Cherry Plum)Banisteriopsis caapi, is very difficult to find in Germany, due to its potential psychedelic effects. This product is available in Germany at a very high dilution, the strongest being 1:50 000.
For 5 out of the 8 substances, there is a product called Bach Rescura original and for the remaining 2, you can buy each product on its own.
SinutabThere are three different products on the South African Market. There are substitutes for ⅔ Products available in Germany. The 3rd one (Sinutab Sinus pain extra strength) contains Codeine, which is rezeptpflichtig or verscheibungspflichtig in GermanyBoxagrippal Erkältungstabletten
Ratiogrippal
Wick Duogrippal

Sinutab Sinus AllergyIn the German equivalent, the 3 ingredients are not combined into one tablet like Sinutab, but split into two different tablets. The Day tablet contains Paracetamol 500mg (analgesic) + Pseudoephedrine (decongestant). The day tablet also contains Paracetamol 500mg and Diphenhydramine 25mg (Antihistamine). The reason for this is that Pseudoepherdrine (Day Tabs) has a stimulant effect, which keeps you awake during the day and Diphenhydramine (Night Tabs) will make you drowsy, which will help you sleep at night.

# Sinutab contains Chlorpheniramin (Allergex) and is not available in Germany anymore due of it’s redundancy and toxicity. Instead the german equivalent contains Diphenhydramine wich is similiar in molecular structure and pharmacological effect.
Wick Day Night
OlyGrippal Day and Night

So far I could not find substitutes for  Zam-buck (The Real Makoya Herbal Ointment is made with eucalyptus oil, camphor, thyme oil, and sassafras oil, and is a herbal ointment perfect for a range of skin conditions.)
Some of the shops listed on our website do sell it.

Terminology

EnglishGerman
Prescriptiondas Rezept
Medical referraldie ärzliche Überweisung
Tablet(s)die Tablette(n)
Syrupder Sirup
Lozenge(s)die Lutschpastille(n)
Dropsdie Tropfen
Hard capsulesHartkapseln
Slow releasing tabletsdie Retardtablette(n)

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