1. Vocabulary (26)

La posologie (la dose) Show

Dosage (dose) — Indicate the amount and frequency of a medication. Show

La dur Show

Treatment duration — Period during which the medication should be taken (days, weeks). Show

La demi Show

Half-life — Pharmacological concept useful to explain dosing frequency and gradual discontinuation. Show

La posologie p Show

Pediatric dosing — Dosage adapted for children (mg/kg). Show

La notice Show

Patient information leaflet — Information document included with the medicine (effects, contraindications). Show

La conservation Show

Storage — Conditions: temperature, refrigeration, protected from light. Show

La date de p Show

Expiration date — Do not use after this date; dispose of accordingly. Show

Le conditionnement Show

Packaging — The package: box, blister, bottle; check the expiration date. Show

Le pictogramme Show

Pictogram — Symbol on the package (do not swallow, flammable, keep out of reach of children). Show

La voie d'administration Show

Route of administration — Oral, topical, intravenous, intramuscular, sublingual routes. Show

La pharmacovigilance Show

Pharmacovigilance — Reporting of adverse drug reactions to health authorities. Show

L'effet secondaire Show

Side effect — Possible adverse reaction to a medication. Show

La contre Show

Contraindication — Situation where the medication should not be used. Show

L'ordonnance Show

Prescription (document) — Medical document prescribing a treatment. Show

La prescription Show

Prescription (recommendation) — The doctor's recommendation; follow the duration and dosage. Show

Le g Show

Generic drug — Medication equivalent to the brand-name product, often cheaper. Show

Le comprim Show

Tablet — Solid form to swallow; distinguish effervescent tablets. Show

La g Show

Capsule — Capsule containing the medication in powder or liquid form. Show

La suspension Show

Suspension — Liquid medication to shake before use (often for children). Show

Jeter (se d Show

Dispose of (get rid of) — Management of medical waste: pharmacy or specialized collection. Show

Le g Show

Administer (give) — To give a medication to a patient; conjugate for instructions. Show

Inhaler \/ Inspirer Show

Inhale — Route of administration (aerosol, nebulizer) for respiratory tract. Show

Appliquer Show

Apply — Place locally (cream, patch); indicate frequency and duration. Show

Prendre (se prendre) Show

Take — Verb used to indicate oral consumption: "Take a tablet." Show

Avaler Show

Swallow — Action of passing through the throat (with water). Show

Rincer Show

Rinse — Clean the mouth or eye after application if the leaflet indicates so. Show

2. Exercises

Exercise 1: Exam preparation

Instruction: Read the text, fill in the gaps with the missing words, and answer the questions below


Notice pour un nouvel antihistaminique

Words to use: boîte, médicament, jeûn, dose, posologie, notice, posologie, antihistaminique, date, comprimé, élimination

(Patient information leaflet for a new antihistamine)

Vous venez d’acheter en pharmacie un nouvel contre le rhume des foins. Ce est en vente libre, mais la est très claire : il faut toujours respecter la indiquée. La quotidienne recommandée est d’un par jour, à prendre avec un verre d’eau, de préférence le matin, à . Il est déconseillé de conduire si vous ressentez une forte somnolence. En cas d’oubli, il ne faut pas prendre de dose double le même jour. La maximale ne doit jamais être dépassée, même si les symptômes restent importants.

La notice explique aussi comment conserver le médicament. Les comprimés doivent rester dans la de médicaments d’origine, à l’abri de la lumière et de l’humidité, et hors de portée des enfants. Il faut vérifier régulièrement la de péremption indiquée sur le conditionnement. Si le médicament est périmé, ou si vous n’en avez plus besoin, vous ne devez pas le jeter à la poubelle ou dans les toilettes. La pharmacie propose un service d’ des déchets médicamenteux : il suffit de rapporter la boîte entière, avec les restes de comprimés et la notice.
You have just bought a new antihistamine for hay fever at the pharmacy. This medicine is available over the counter, but the leaflet is very clear: you must always follow the stated dosage. The recommended daily dose is one tablet per day, to be taken with a glass of water, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach. It is not advisable to drive if you feel very drowsy. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose later the same day. The maximum dosage should never be exceeded, even if symptoms persist.

The leaflet also explains how to store the medicine. Tablets should be kept in their original box, protected from light and moisture, and out of reach of children. Check the expiration date on the packaging regularly. If the medicine is expired, or if you no longer need it, do not throw it in the rubbish bin or flush it down the toilet. The pharmacy offers a medicine-disposal service: simply return the full box, including any remaining tablets and the leaflet.

  1. Pourquoi la notice insiste-t-elle sur le fait de ne jamais dépasser la posologie maximale ?

    (Why does the leaflet insist on never exceeding the maximum dosage?)

  2. Que devez-vous faire si vous oubliez de prendre votre comprimé un matin ?

    (What should you do if you forget to take your tablet one morning?)

  3. Dans quelles conditions faut-il conserver les comprimés, selon le texte ?

    (Under what conditions should you store the tablets, according to the text?)

  4. Comment devez-vous éliminer les médicaments périmés ou non utilisés, d’après ce document ?

    (How should you dispose of expired or unused medicines, according to this document?)

Exercise 2: Dialogue Cards

Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.

Exercise 3: Writing exercise

Instruction: In 8 to 10 lines, describe how you manage your medications daily (reading leaflets, following the dosage, storage and disposal).

Useful expressions:

En général, je prends mes médicaments… / Je fais attention à… / Je vérifie toujours que… / Quand un médicament est périmé, je…