Find Apótek locations, medication names, and health information for your Iceland trip.
Hours shown are typical. Call ahead outside normal business hours.
Why this matters
Iceland uses different brand names for all medications. Asking for "Tylenol" or "Advil" will get you a blank stare. Use this guide to find what you need by active ingredient or Icelandic name.
| US / UK / AU Brand | Icelandic Name |
|---|---|
| Tylenol / Panadol | Panodil / Paratabs |
| Advil / Motrin / Nurofen | Íbúfen / Brufen |
| Aspirin | Aspirin |
| Claritin / Zyrtec | Loritin / Cetrizin |
| Benadryl | Benylan / Dimegan |
| Dramamine / Bonine | Stemetil / Scopoderm patch |
| NyQuil | No direct equivalent |
| DayQuil | No direct equivalent |
| Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) | Controlled substance |
| Halls / Strepsils | Stepsils / Septolete |
| Pepto-Bismol | No equivalent |
| Imodium | Immodium / Loperamid |
| Tums / Rennie | Ömeprazol / Gaviscon |
| Neosporin / Savlon | Fucidin krem |
| Hydrocortisone cream | Hydrocortison krem |
| Melatonin | Melatonín |
| Vitamin C | C-vítamín |
| Zinc | Sink |
| Vitamin D | D-vítamín |
| Omega-3 / Fish oil | Lýsi |
Pro tip: Say the active ingredient
Icelandic pharmacists will always know the active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, cetirizine). Just say the generic name — not the brand name — and they will find the right product.
Critical difference from UK, US & Australia
In Iceland, ALL medications — including Paracetamol and Ibuprofen — are ONLY sold in pharmacies (Apótek). You cannot buy them anywhere else.
Bonus
Main supermarket chain
Krónan
Supermarket chain
Netto
Discount supermarket
N1 / Orkan / Olís
Petrol stations
10-11 / Samkaup
Convenience stores
Tourist shops
Souvenir & gift shops
Hotel reception
No medication sales
Duty-Free
Keflavik Duty Free (alcohol only)
Exception: health food stores
Vitamin supplements and some herbal products are available in health food stores (heilsuverslun) in Reykjavik. But pharmaceutical medications remain pharmacy-only.
Emergency
112
Police, Fire, Ambulance
Medical Helpline
1700
24/7 advice, English spoken
Non-Emergency Police
444 1000
Non-emergency issues
Reykjavik — Landspítali University Hospital
Main trauma centre. Excellent. 24/7 A&E.
North Iceland — Akureyri Hospital (Sjúkrahús Akureyrar)
Largest hospital outside Reykjavik.
South Iceland — Selfoss Health Centre
Covers South Iceland. Limited overnight.
East Iceland — Egilsstaðir Health Centre
Main facility for Eastfjords.
Westfjords — Ísafjörður Health Centre
Serious cases airlifted to Reykjavik.
EU / EEA visitors (EHIC / GHIC)
Your European Health Insurance Card entitles you to emergency medical care at the Icelandic rate. Show your EHIC/GHIC card at the hospital or health centre. Emergency medications covered at local rates. Always carry it.
UK visitors (GHIC)
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) works the same as EHIC in Iceland for emergency treatment. Apply free at NHS website before travel.
US, Canada, Australia & other visitors
You pay full price for all medical care and medications. Keep all receipts and claim on your travel insurance. Iceland medical costs are high — always ensure you have adequate travel insurance.
Travel Insurance recommendation
Ensure your policy covers: emergency evacuation (helicopter), adventure sports if hiking/glacier walking, and at minimum €100,000 medical coverage.
Common questions from tourists about pharmacies and healthcare in Iceland.