Korean Pharmacy Guide for Foreigners

Finding Pharmacies

Korean Romanization English

가장 가까운 약국이 어디에 있나요?	Gajang gakkaun yakgugi eodiye itnayo?	Where is the nearest pharmacy?
24시간 약국이 있나요?	Isipsasigan yakgugi itnayo?	Is there a 24-hour pharmacy?
처방전 없이 살 수 있는 약이 있나요?	Cheobangjeon eopsi sal su itneun yagi itnayo?	Do you have over-the-counter medication?

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📋 Symptom-Specific Medication List (Including Allergy Information)

🔥 Fever Reducers & Pain Relievers

Headache, fever, muscle pain	머리가 아파요	Meoriga apayo	I have a headache
Menstrual cramps, muscle pain	생리통이 있어요	Saengritong-i isseoyo	I have menstrual cramps
Migraine, inflammation	편두통이 있어요	Pyeondutong-i isseoyo	I have a migraine
Severe pain	너무 아파요	Neomu apayo	It hurts so much

Tylenol 500mg (Acetaminophen)	Adults: 1-2 tablets, 3-4 times daily	No alcohol, liver toxicity	🟢 Allergies rare / Caution with liver disease
Easygel 6 (Ibuprofen)	Adults: 1 tablet, 2-3 times daily	GI disorders, avoid empty stomach	🟡 Caution if aspirin allergic / May worsen asthma
Naxen (Naproxen)	Adults: 1-2 tablets, 2 times daily	Strong anti-inflammatory, stop before surgery	🟡 NSAID allergy caution / Contraindicated in aspirin hypersensitivity
Brufen (Ibuprofen)	Adults: 1 tablet, 3 times daily	Safe for children too	🟡 Ibuprofen hypersensitivity / Hives, asthma worsening

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🍽️ Digestive Medications

Heartburn, excess stomach acid	속이 쓰려요	Sogi sseuryeoyo	I have heartburn
Gastroesophageal reflux	신물이 올라와요	Sinmul-i ollawayo	I have acid reflux
Heartburn	속이 쓰려요	Sogi sseuryeoyo	I have heartburn
Indigestion	소화가 안 돼요	Sohwaga an dwaeyo	I have indigestion
Indigestion	체한 것 같아요	Chehan geot gatayo	I feel bloated
Abdominal bloating	배가 더부룩해요	Baega deoburukhaeyo	I feel gassy
Diarrhea	설사를 해요	Seolsareul haeyo	I have diarrhea

Gelfoam M (Aluminum phosphate + Simethicone)	Between meals or empty stomach	Gas relief effect, 2-hour intervals	🟢 Allergies very rare / Caution with aluminum accumulation
Gaviscon (Sodium alginate)	30 minutes after meals	Forms barrier against acid reflux	🟡 Seaweed allergy caution / Aspartame sensitivity caution
Almagel (Aluminum hydroxide + Magnesium)	Between meals	Traditional antacid	🟢 Allergies rare / Contraindicated in kidney disease
Bearse (Digestive enzymes)	30 minutes after meals	Helps break down food	🟡 Pork-derived enzyme allergy / Consider religious restrictions
Festal (Complex digestive enzymes)	30 minutes after meals	Comprehensive digestive enzyme	🟡 Animal enzyme allergy / Pancreatin hypersensitivity
Gas Hwalmyeongsu (Herbal ingredients)	After meals or as needed	Traditional digestive, liquid form	🟡 Herbal medicine allergy / Cinnamon, clove hypersensitivity
Smecta (Diosmectite)	3 times daily	Intestinal wall protection, stops diarrhea	🟢 Almost no allergies / Mineral-based ingredient

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🤧 Cold Medications

General cold	감기 걸렸어요	Gamgi geollyeosseoyo	I have a cold
General cold	감기에 걸린 것 같아요	Gamgie geollin geot gatayo	I think I caught a cold
General cold	목감기가 왔어요	Mokgamgiga wasseoyo	I have a throat cold
Night cold	잠을 못 자겠어요	Jameul mot jagesseoyo	I can't sleep well
Convenience store purchase	가벼운 감기예요	Gabyeoun gamgiyeyo	I have a mild cold

Panpyrin Q (Acetaminophen + Complex)	3 times daily	Liquid form, fast acting	🟡 Antihistamine allergy / Chlorpheniramine hypersensitivity
Pankol S (Acetaminophen + Complex)	3 times daily	60-year tradition, reliable	🟡 Complex ingredient allergy / Guaifenesin hypersensitivity
Col Daewon (Acetaminophen + Complex)	3 times daily	Chewable stick form	🟡 Complex ingredient allergy / Sweetener hypersensitivity
Col Daewon Night (Contains doxylamine)	30 minutes before bedtime	Sedative effect, sleep aid	🔴 Antihistamine hypersensitivity / Respiratory depression risk
Panpyrin T (Acetaminophen + Chlorpheniramine)	3 times daily	Over-the-counter safe medicine	🟡 Chlorpheniramine allergy / Contraindicated in glaucoma

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🤢 Motion Sickness Medications

General motion sickness	멀미가 나요	Meolmiga nayo	I feel motion sickness
Children's motion sickness	아이가 토할 것 같아요	Aiga tohal geot gatayo	My child feels nauseous
Long-distance travel	장시간 여행해요	Jangsgigan yeohaenghaeyo	I'm traveling for a long time
Seasickness	배 타면 멀미해요	Bae tamyeon meolmihaeyo	I get seasick on boats
Liquid motion sickness medicine	마시는 멀미약 주세요	Masineun meolmiyak juseyo	I need liquid motion sickness medicine

Bonamin Chewable (Dimenhydrinate + Scopolamine)	30 minutes before travel	4-6 hours	🔴 Scopolamine hypersensitivity / Hallucination, confusion risk
Mamiz Syrup (Dimenhydrinate)	30 minutes before travel	4-6 hours	🟡 Antihistamine allergy / Pediatric seizure caution
Kimite Patch (Scopolamine)	4 hours before travel	72 hours	🔴 Scopolamine toxicity / Hallucination, blindness risk
Novomin (Meclizine)	1 hour before travel	24 hours	🟡 Meclizine hypersensitivity / Drowsiness, dry mouth
Toslong, Easylong	30 minutes before travel	4-6 hours	🟡 Complex ingredient allergy / Caffeine hypersensitivity

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🤧 Allergy Medications (Antihistamines) - 🚨 All products prohibit driving

Skin allergies	피부가 가려워요	Pibuga garyeowoyo	My skin is itchy
Rhinitis, runny nose	콧물이 나와요	Konmul-i nawayo	I have a runny nose
Itching	온몸이 가려워요	Onmom-i garyeowoyo	My whole body itches
Hives	두드러기가 났어요	Dudeureogiga nasseoyo	I have hives

Zyrtec (Cetirizine)	⭐⭐⭐ Moderate	Absolutely no driving	🟡 Cetirizine hypersensitivity / Rarely anaphylaxis
Claritin (Loratadine)	⭐⭐ Mild	24-hour duration	🟡 Loratadine allergy / Caution with liver dysfunction
Allegra (Fexofenadine)	⭐ Very mild	Minimal drowsiness	🟢 Allergies rare / Safest choice
Atarax (Hydroxyzine)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very strong	Absolutely no driving	🔴 Hydroxyzine hypersensitivity / Severe sedation

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⚠️ Detailed Classification by Allergy Risk Level

🔴 High-Risk Drugs - Immediate Medical Consultation Required

Penicillin-based antibiotics	Anaphylaxis, breathing difficulty, hypotension	Those with antibiotic allergy history	Call 119, use EpiPen, transfer to ER
Aspirin	Asthma worsening, angioedema, shock	Asthma patients, nasal polyp patients	Stop immediately, steroids, go to ER
Scopolamine (Kimite)	Hallucinations, confusion, respiratory depression	Elderly, liver disease patients	Remove immediately, contact medical staff
Hydroxyzine (Atarax)	Severe sedation, respiratory depression	Elderly, heart disease patients	Induce alertness, transfer to ER

🟡 Medium-Risk Drugs - Careful Observation Required

NSAID group (Ibuprofen, Naproxen)	Hives, asthma worsening, gastric bleeding	Aspirin allergic, asthma patients	Take after meals, short-term use, observe symptoms
Antihistamines (Cetirizine, Chlorpheniramine)	Excessive drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation	Glaucoma, enlarged prostate patients	Absolutely no driving, adequate fluid intake
Seaweed-derived (Gaviscon)	Cross-reaction with seafood allergies	Shellfish, seaweed allergic	Start with small dose on first use
Animal enzymes (Bearse, Festal)	Digestive symptoms, skin rash	Pork, beef allergic	Consider plant-based alternatives

🟢 Low-Risk Drugs - Relatively Safe

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)	Very rare skin rash	Do not exceed 4g daily	Follow dosage, no alcohol
Fexofenadine (Allegra)	Headache, indigestion	Safest antihistamine	Take on empty stomach, avoid fruit juice
Diosmectite (Smecta)	Almost none	Safe mineral-based ingredient	Adequate fluid intake

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🔍 Cross-Reaction Precautions

Food Allergies and Drug Cross-Reactions

Shellfish (shrimp, crab)	Gaviscon (seaweed-derived)	Seafood cross-reaction	Gelfoam, Almagel
Pork	Bearse, Festal (pork pancreatic enzymes)	Animal protein	Plant-based digestive enzymes
Eggs	Some vaccines, certain drug additives	Egg white allergy	Check ingredients before use
Milk	Lactose-containing drugs	Distinguish from lactose intolerance	Lactose-free products

Drug-to-Drug Cross-Reactions

Aspirin	All NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen)	Acetaminophen
Penicillin	All beta-lactam antibiotics	Macrolides
1st generation antihistamines	Other 1st generation products	2nd generation (Allegra, Claritin)

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🚨 Emergency Response Manual

Staged Response to Allergic Reactions

1. Stage 1 (Mild): Itching, hives
   • Immediately stop causative drug
   • Take antihistamine (Allegra)
   • Observe symptoms for 30 minutes
2. Stage 2 (Moderate): Facial swelling, breathing difficulty
   • Antihistamine + steroid
   • Prepare for ER transport
   • Maintain airway position
3. Stage 3 (Severe): Anaphylaxis
   • Immediately call 119
   • Use EpiPen (lateral thigh)
   • Transport to ER

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✅ Final Safety Checklist

Check Before Each Dose

• Accurately verify drug name and ingredients
• Cross-check with allergy history
• Verify no interactions with other medications
• Follow proper dosage and timing
• Have plan to stop immediately if side effects occur

🚨 Emergency Situation Principles

1. Immediately stop drug intake
2. Record symptoms and timing
3. Provide accurate information to medical staff
4. Never take additional doses based on self-judgment