How to Explain a Medication Allergy in Portuguese
Name the medicine, describe only what you experienced, and ask the clinician to record the information in your file.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Use tenho alergia a… (I am allergic to…) and name the medicine as it appears on the package or medical record. If you are unsure whether the reaction was an allergy, describe what happened and ask the healthcare professional to assess it.
State the allergy before discussing treatment
Do not rely on a brand-name guess if you know the active ingredient. Show the label or a reliable record so the professional can identify the substance.
Tenho alergia a este medicamento.
I’m allergic to this medicine.
O nome está escrito nesta embalagem.
The name is written on this package.
Não sei se foi uma alergia, mas tive esta reação.
I don’t know whether it was an allergy, but I had this reaction.
Describe what happened without adding a diagnosis
Explain the reaction you remember, when it began, and whether you sought care. Use plain words such as coceira (itching), inchaço (swelling), or manchas na pele (skin spots) only when they accurately describe your experience.
If you do not know the medical name for a symptom, point to the affected area or describe it in everyday language. The clinician can ask follow-up questions.
Depois de tomar, senti coceira na pele.
After taking it, I felt itchy skin.
Meu rosto inchou algumas horas depois.
My face swelled a few hours later.
A reação começou no mesmo dia.
The reaction began on the same day.
Ask how the information will be recorded
Ask the professional to add the information to your record and confirm the medicine name with you. You can also ask whether the same ingredient appears under another brand name.
Do not independently stop or substitute a prescribed medicine based only on a phrase guide. Ask the clinician or pharmacist for advice about your individual treatment.
Você pode registrar essa informação no meu prontuário?
Could you record this information in my medical file?
Esse princípio ativo aparece com outro nome?
Does this active ingredient appear under another name?
Pode confirmar o nome do medicamento que anotou?
Could you confirm the name of the medicine you wrote down?
Keep a note you can show at another appointment
If the clinician confirms the information, ask how you can keep it available for future care. A written note or updated record can help you communicate consistently when you see another professional.
If you have had a severe or rapidly worsening reaction, seek urgent medical help through local services rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Você pode escrever esta informação para eu guardar?
Could you write this information down for me to keep?
Vou mostrar esta anotação em outras consultas.
I’ll show this note at other appointments.
Quem devo avisar se receber atendimento em outro lugar?
Whom should I tell if I receive care somewhere else?
Put it into practice
Name the medicine, describe your own reaction accurately, and ask a professional to document it.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Could you confirm the name of the medicine you wrote down”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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