how do I describe bazuka gel to a german pharmacist?

June 20, 2009 6:50 AM

how do I describe bazuka gel to a german pharmacist?

I recently got hold of some extra-strength bazuka gel while in the UK and would like to purchase something similar in germany. alas, I don't quite know how to explain what I want to the pharmacist. I use this to make life easier on my callus feet.

posted by krautland to health & fitness (10 comments total)

Einen Warz- und Schwielenentfernungsgel?
posted by dunkadunc at 6:57 AM on June 20

I'd just take the container of gel to the pharmacist, so they can see what the contents of it are, and while you're there you can describe what you like about it and why.
posted by bjrn at 7:00 AM on June 20

Ditto bjrn, or, from the leaflet from their website,
"What Bazuka Extra Strength Gel contains:
The active ingredient is salicylic acid 26.0% w/w.
The other ingredients are camphor, povidone,
pyroxylin, ethanol and acetone."

That's Salicylsäure 26,0% Gel mit Kampfer, Jod (I think), Pyroxylin, Ethanol, Aceton.
posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 7:10 AM on June 20

Online UK pharmacies will ship things like that to you in Germany without a problem, if you really dig that particular brand (or if, like so many pharmaceuticals, it costs more in Germany).
posted by cmonkey at 7:41 AM on June 20

A small correction to Weighted Companion Cube: Povidone is a polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone) likely used as a thickening agent. It is not Jod, which means iodine. It doesn't even contain iodine. In German it would be Polyvinylpyrrolidon or Povidon.
posted by jedicus at 8:00 AM on June 20

To be fair, Weighted Companion Cube was probably misled by Povidone-iodine, the active ingredient of Betadine.
posted by tigrrrlily at 10:01 AM on June 20

i am only partial to this product because it worked and i don't know what else to ask for. anyone wanna recommend a uk online pharmacy?
posted by krautland at 10:42 AM on June 20

Just browsed through the Rote Liste, and products that come close would be:

Schrundensalbe Dermi-cyl (contains approx. 20% salicylic acid)

Gehwohl Hühneraugen-Tinktur extra stark (contains acetic acid, pyroxiline, 2-ethoxyethanol, ethylacetate, levomenthol; but seems to be a liquid, not a gel)

Gehwohl Schälpaste (approx. 40% salicylic acid, not much else)

There does not appear to be a direct equivalent to the one you are looking for...
posted by PontifexPrimus at 2:33 PM on June 20

That is exactly what I was misled by, since I've been dealing with more cuts/abrasions and far fewer things like warts lately. My bad.
posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 2:34 PM on June 20

Not sure if it's appropriate, but superglue also works!
posted by indienial at 4:26 AM on June 21