How to get a prescription in Spain
Need help with a medication in Spain? Our English-speaking doctors offer online consultations and repeat prescription reviews for many common prescription requests. When medically appropriate, a prescription can be issued by a doctor registered in Spain.
- ✓Most prescription medicines in Spain require a valid prescription from a Spanish-registered doctor.
- ✓Private electronic prescriptions can be issued with a QR or scannable code for pharmacy dispensing.
- ✓In most cases, the prescription is intended for use within 10 days of being issued.
- ✓Some requests are suitable for repeat prescription review, while others need a full doctor consultation.
Choose the right prescription route in Spain
Use a repeat prescription if you already take the medication and need continuity. Use a doctor consultation if you need assessment for new symptoms, a new treatment request, a medication change, or a prescription that first needs clinical review.
Best for ongoing medication
Choose this route if you already take the medication and need it renewed or continued while in Spain.
- ✓You already know the medication and dose.
- ✓You have evidence such as a previous prescription, medication box, or clinic letter.
- ✓You are not asking for a new diagnosis or a major treatment change.
- ✓You want continuity of an established treatment while in Spain.
Best for new or changing issues
Choose this route if a doctor needs to assess your symptoms, diagnosis, medication request or safest next step.
- ✓You have a new medical problem or new symptoms.
- ✓You are requesting a medication you are not currently taking.
- ✓You need a dose change, switch, review or treatment advice.
- ✓You are unsure whether your request is suitable for a repeat prescription.
Common medication requests in Spain
Below is a simplified list of common medication groups patients ask us about. Availability and suitability always depend on doctor review, your history and the specific medicine requested.
Suitability depends on your medical history, current symptoms, prior treatment and doctor review.
Some requests may be better handled as a repeat prescription review, while others require a doctor consultation.
Patients usually need a repeat prescription review if already taking the medication and stable.
ADHD medication requests often need evidence of prior diagnosis and current treatment.
Antibiotics require clinical assessment. They are not suitable as a simple repeat request for new infections.
Availability depends on the clinical indication, timing and doctor assessment.
A doctor may need to review cardiovascular history and other medication before prescribing.
Some requests may need medical review because of pregnancy risk, skin diagnosis or prior treatment history.
Common prescription pages in Spain
Explore some of the prescription and medication pages most commonly requested by patients in Spain.
Concerta in Spain
Information about Concerta, repeat prescription requests, and ADHD medication continuity while in Spain.
- ✓Methylphenidate prolonged-release
- ✓Existing treatment review
- ✓Tourist and relocation queries
Elvanse in Spain
Support for patients already taking Elvanse and looking for prescription continuity or medication guidance in Spain.
- ✓Lisdexamfetamine
- ✓Established treatment requests
- ✓Spain pharmacy use
How to get antibiotics in Spain
Doctor assessment for infections and guidance on when antibiotic treatment may or may not be appropriate.
- ✓UTI and infection-related queries
- ✓Not suitable as self-request only
- ✓Assessment before prescribing
Zolpidem in Spain
Information for patients asking about sleeping tablets, short-term insomnia treatment, and repeat prescription review.
- ✓Sleeping tablet requests
- ✓Doctor review required
- ✓Travel continuity support
Diazepam in Spain
Guidance for repeat prescription requests and clinically assessed anxiety-related medication queries in Spain.
- ✓Anxiety medication requests
- ✓Established use review
- ✓Private prescription pathway
Erectile dysfunction treatment
Assessment and prescription support for common erectile dysfunction treatment requests in Spain.
- ✓Sildenafil and tadalafil queries
- ✓Doctor review before prescribing
- ✓Suitable for many adult patients
High blood pressure medication
Continuation support for patients already taking regular blood pressure medication and needing treatment continuity.
- ✓Amlodipine, enalapril, losartan
- ✓Stable treatment review
- ✓Useful for long stays in Spain
Antiviral medication in Spain
Information on common antiviral medication requests such as aciclovir and valaciclovir in Spain.
- ✓Herpes virus treatment queries
- ✓Repeat and acute review cases
- ✓Doctor-assessed suitability
Contraceptive pill in Spain
Support for patients who need continuity of contraception or advice on common prescription routes in Spain.
- ✓Regular contraception requests
- ✓Established treatment review
- ✓Useful for visitors and residents
Need a full consultation?
Best for new symptoms, new medication requests, infections, dose changes, or when a doctor needs to assess the safest next step before prescribing.
Already on the medication?
Best if you already take the medication, know the dose, and need continuity of treatment in Spain with supporting evidence of current or recent use.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about prescriptions in Spain through our English-speaking medical service.