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How to Say "medication" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “medication” is “medicina” — use 'medicina' when referring to a specific drug or treatment that has been prescribed or recommended to treat an illness or condition..

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medicina

/meh-dee-SEE-nah//meðiˈsina/

nounA1general
Use 'medicina' when referring to a specific drug or treatment that has been prescribed or recommended to treat an illness or condition.
A small, transparent glass bottle filled with bright red liquid medicine, next to a small measuring spoon.

Examples

Necesitas tomar esta medicina dos veces al día.

You need to take this medicine twice a day.

¿Dónde puedo comprar la medicina para el dolor de cabeza?

Where can I buy the medicine for the headache?

Esta medicina tiene un sabor muy amargo.

This medication has a very bitter taste.

Gender Alert

Remember that 'medicina' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' (la medicina) and feminine adjectives (medicina buena).

Using the wrong synonym

Mistake: “Using 'doctor' instead of 'medicina' when referring to a drug. ('Necesito un doctor para la tos' instead of 'una medicina para la tos')”

Correction: Use 'medicamento' or 'medicina' for the substance, and 'médico' or 'doctor' for the person.

medicamento

/meh-dee-kah-MEN-toh//meðikaˈmento/

nounA2general
Choose 'medicamento' to refer to a pharmaceutical substance or preparation used for medical treatment, often emphasizing the substance itself.
A small orange bottle of medicine sitting next to a spoon and a few colorful capsules on a clean surface.

Examples

Tengo que tomar mi medicamento cada ocho horas.

I have to take my medication every eight hours.

El médico me recetó un medicamento para el dolor.

The doctor prescribed me a medicine for the pain.

¿Este medicamento tiene efectos secundarios?

Does this medication have side effects?

Masculine Noun Ending in -o

Since it ends in -o, it is almost always masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it (el medicamento).

Using 'droga' instead

Mistake: “Using 'droga' to mean medicine.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'droga' usually refers to illegal substances. Use 'medicamento' or 'medicina' for health related items.

medicación

nounA1general
Use 'medicación' to refer to the act or process of treating with medicine, or a course of medicine prescribed.

Examples

La doctora me recetó una medicación muy fuerte.

The doctor prescribed me very strong medication.

píldoras

nounA1informal
Use 'píldoras' as a general, informal term for pills or tablets, especially when referring to a regular supply of medication.

Examples

Necesito ir a la farmacia a comprar mis píldoras para la presión.

I need to go to the pharmacy to buy my pills for my blood pressure.

Medicina vs. Medicamento

Learners often confuse 'medicina' and 'medicamento'. While both refer to drugs, 'medicina' is often used for the specific treatment or substance you take, whereas 'medicamento' can refer more broadly to the pharmaceutical product itself. When in doubt, both are often understood, but 'medicina' is frequently used for the direct act of taking a prescribed treatment.

Related Translations

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