Pharmacy vs Convenience Store vs Hospital
| Where | When to Go | Hours | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| 약국 (Pharmacy) | First choice for any illness | Usually 9AM-8PM, some 24hr | Full range of OTC + pharmacist consultation + prescription |
| 편의점 (Convenience Store) | Night/weekend, mild symptoms | 24/7 | 13 approved OTC items only (limited but available anytime) |
| 병원/의원 (Clinic/Hospital) | Fever 3+ days, severe pain, injury, unknown symptoms | Varies (ER = 24/7) | Diagnosis, prescription, treatment |
Key difference: Convenience store medicines are weaker formulations than pharmacy versions. Same brand name, different strength. Pharmacy versions contain more active ingredients (e.g., pharmacy 까스활명수 contains 현호색 herbal extract; convenience store version doesn’t).
Price difference: Convenience store OTC is 1.5-2x more expensive than pharmacy equivalents. But at 3 AM, you pay the premium for accessibility.
Essential Medicines: What to Buy
Pain & Fever (해열/진통제)
| Product | Korean Name | What It Treats | Where to Buy | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol) | 타이레놀 | Headache, fever, body aches, toothache | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~2,000-3,500 KRW |
| Penzal (ibuprofen + acetaminophen) | 펜잘 | Stronger pain relief, menstrual cramps, inflammation | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~2,500-4,000 KRW |
| Advil (ibuprofen) | 애드빌 | Inflammation, muscle pain, headache | Pharmacy only | ~3,000-5,000 KRW |
| Children’s Brufen Syrup | 어린이 부루펜 시럽 | Children’s fever and pain | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000 KRW |
Pharmacist tip: If you just say “타이레놀 주세요” (Tylenol juseyo) at any pharmacy, they’ll hand you the right one. For stronger pain, say “이부프로펜” (ibuprofen).
Cold & Flu (감기약)
| Product | Korean Name | What It Treats | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panpyrin Q | 판피린큐 | All-in-one cold: fever, runny nose, cough, body aches | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000-4,500 KRW |
| Pancold-A | 판콜에이 | Cold symptoms, sinus congestion, sneezing | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000-4,000 KRW |
| Contac 600 | 콘택 600 | Severe cold, extended release (12-hour) | Pharmacy only | ~5,000 KRW |
| Mucosolvan | 뮤코솔반 | Chest congestion, phlegm | Pharmacy only | ~5,000-7,000 KRW |
| Strepsils | 스트렙실 | Sore throat lozenges | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000 KRW |
Warning: Korean cold medicine often combines multiple drugs in one pill (pain reliever + antihistamine + caffeine). Don’t take Panpyrin AND Tylenol together — you’ll double up on acetaminophen.
Digestive & Stomach (소화제/위장약)
| Product | Korean Name | What It Treats | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bea-Je | 베아제 | Indigestion, bloating, overeating | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~2,000-3,500 KRW |
| Doctor Bea-Je | 닥터 베아제 | Stronger indigestion, gastric discomfort | Pharmacy only | ~4,000 KRW |
| Hwalmyeongsu | 까스활명수 | Korean herbal digestive (the classic — carbonated liquid) | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~1,500-2,500 KRW |
| Gelphos-M | 겔포스엠 | Stomach acid, heartburn | Pharmacy only | ~3,000 KRW |
| Smecta | 스멕타 | Diarrhea, food poisoning symptoms | Pharmacy only | ~3,000-4,000 KRW |
| Jungro-Hwan | 정로환 | Diarrhea, stomach cramps (traditional herbal) | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000 KRW |
까스활명수 is the Korean go-to for 체했을 때 (when food “sits” in your stomach). It’s a fizzy herbal drink that most Koreans swear by. The pharmacy version is stronger than the convenience store version.
Allergies & Skin (알레르기/피부)
| Product | Korean Name | What It Treats | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zyrtec (cetirizine) | 지르텍 | Seasonal allergies, runny nose, itchy eyes | Pharmacy only | ~5,000-8,000 KRW |
| Claritin (loratadine) | 클라리틴 | Allergies (non-drowsy) | Pharmacy only | ~5,000-8,000 KRW |
| Madecassol | 마데카솔 | Wound healing cream (centella-based) | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000-5,000 KRW |
| Fucidin | 후시딘 | Antibiotic ointment for cuts, scrapes | Pharmacy only | ~4,000-6,000 KRW |
| Fenistil | 페니스틸 | Insect bite relief, itching | Pharmacy only | ~5,000 KRW |
Note: Pharmacy 마데카솔 contains antibiotics (항생제 포함); convenience store version does NOT. For actual wounds, get the pharmacy version.
Muscle & Joint Pain (근육통/관절)
| Product | Korean Name | What It Treats | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeil Cool Pap | 제일쿨파프 | Muscle pain patches (cooling) | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~2,000-3,000 KRW |
| Salonpas | 살론파스 | Muscle/joint pain patches | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000-5,000 KRW |
| Sinsin Pap Arex | 신신파스아렉스 | Muscle pain (larger patches) | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000 KRW |
Price warning: Convenience store patches are 2x more expensive per patch. Pharmacy: 10 patches for ~3,000 KRW. Convenience store: 4 patches for ~3,000 KRW.
Other Essentials
| Product | Korean Name | What It Treats | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band-Aid | 밴드/대일밴드 | Cuts, blisters | Everywhere | ~1,500-3,000 KRW |
| Betadine | 베타딘 | Wound disinfection | Pharmacy | ~4,000-6,000 KRW |
| Oral rehydration salts | 포카리스웨트/이온음료 | Dehydration (hangover, illness, heat) | Convenience store | ~1,500 KRW |
| Eye drops | 인공눈물 | Dry eyes (common from air conditioning) | Pharmacy + convenience store | ~3,000-5,000 KRW |
| Motion sickness | 키미테 | Bus/boat sickness | Pharmacy only | ~3,000 KRW |
Convenience Store OTC: The Approved 13 Items
Korean law permits convenience stores to sell only 13 specific approved OTC products (안전상비의약품). You’ll find them near the register, usually in a small display case.
| Category | Products Available |
|---|---|
| Pain/fever (해열진통제) | Tylenol (타이레놀), Penzal (펜잘), Children’s Brufen syrup (어린이부루펜) |
| Cold (감기약) | Panpyrin Q (판피린큐), Pancold-A (판콜에이) |
| Digestive (소화제) | Bea-Je (베아제), Hwalmyeongsu (까스활명수), Hwal-myeongsu Q (까스활명수큐), Jungro-Hwan (정로환) |
| Pain patches (파스) | Jeil Cool Pap (제일쿨파프), Sinsin Pap (신신파스) |
| Wound care (상처치료) | Madecassol (마데카솔) ointment |
| Bandages (밴드) | Band-Aid type adhesive bandages |
How to Communicate at the Pharmacy
Most pharmacists understand basic English medical terms. But these Korean phrases help:
Pointing to Symptoms
| Symptom | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | 두통이 있어요 | dutong-i isseoyo |
| Fever | 열이 나요 | yeol-i nayo |
| Cough | 기침이 나와요 | gichim-i nawayo |
| Runny nose | 콧물이 나요 | konmul-i nayo |
| Sore throat | 목이 아파요 | mog-i apayo |
| Stomachache | 배가 아파요 | baega apayo |
| Diarrhea | 설사해요 | seolsa-haeyo |
| Nausea | 속이 메스꺼워요 | sog-i meskkeowoyo |
| Allergy | 알레르기가 있어요 | allereugi-ga isseoyo |
| Insect bite | 벌레에 물렸어요 | beolre-e mullyeosseoyo |
| I have a cold | 감기에 걸렸어요 | gamgi-e geollyeosseoyo |
| Period pain | 생리통이 있어요 | saengli-tong-i isseoyo |
Useful Pharmacy Phrases
| Situation | Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Asking for medicine | OOO 주세요 | Please give me [product name] |
| “What should I take for [symptom]?” | [증상]에 뭐 먹으면 좋을까요? | What should I take for [symptom]? |
| ”Is this safe to take with…?” | 이거 OOO랑 같이 먹어도 돼요? | Can I take this together with…? |
| ”I’m allergic to…” | 저는 OOO에 알레르기가 있어요 | I’m allergic to… |
| ”Without drowsiness” | 졸리지 않는 걸로 주세요 | Please give me the non-drowsy version |
| ”Stronger version” | 좀 더 센 걸로 주세요 | Please give me a stronger one |
Prescription Medicines
Some medicines that are OTC in Western countries require a prescription (처방전) in Korea:
- Antibiotics — always prescription-only
- Strong painkillers (codeine-based) — prescription
- Birth control pills — prescription (unlike some countries)
- Strong allergy medicines — some are prescription
- ADHD medication (Adderall, Ritalin) — strictly controlled, requires Korean psychiatrist prescription
How to get a prescription:
- Visit a clinic (의원) or hospital (병원) — no appointment needed at most clinics. See our guide to English-speaking hospitals for recommended facilities.
- Doctor examines you, writes prescription
- Take the prescription to any pharmacy (약국)
- Pharmacy fills it (usually 5-10 minutes)
- Clinic visit: ~10,000-30,000 KRW with NHIS; Pharmacy: ~3,000-10,000 KRW for most prescriptions
24-Hour Pharmacies
Most pharmacies close by 8-9 PM. For late-night emergencies:
Finding a 24-hour pharmacy:
- Search “24시 약국” on Naver Map or Kakao Map
- Near major hospitals (대학병원) there’s usually a 24-hour pharmacy
- Call 1345 (foreigner helpline) and ask — they can find one near you
Major areas with late-night pharmacies:
- Seoul Station area
- Gangnam Station area
- Hongdae area
- Near university hospitals (서울대병원, 세브란스병원, 삼성서울병원, etc.)
Emergency Kit: What to Keep at Home
| Item | Korean Name | Why | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tylenol (10-pack) | 타이레놀 | Fever, headache, general pain | ~3,000 KRW |
| Panpyrin Q | 판피린큐 | Cold symptoms | ~3,500 KRW |
| Bea-Je | 베아제 | Indigestion (you’ll eat a lot of new food) | ~2,500 KRW |
| Smecta | 스멕타 | Diarrhea / food poisoning | ~3,500 KRW |
| Band-aids | 대일밴드 | Cuts | ~2,000 KRW |
| Madecassol (pharmacy version) | 마데카솔 | Wound healing | ~4,500 KRW |
| Cooling patches (Jeil Cool Pap) | 제일쿨파프 | Muscle pain from all the walking | ~3,000 KRW |
| Pocari Sweat | 포카리스웨트 | Rehydration | ~1,500 KRW |
| Total |
Buy all of this at a pharmacy on your first week. Total cost under 25,000 KRW and covers 90% of minor health issues.
Common Questions
Q: Can I bring my prescription medicine from home to Korea? A: Yes, for personal use (up to 3 months supply). Carry it in original packaging with your name on the prescription label. For controlled substances (ADHD meds, strong painkillers, etc.), get approval from Korea Customs in advance via customs.go.kr.
Q: Is Tylenol the same in Korea as back home? A: Yes, same active ingredient (acetaminophen/paracetamol). Korean Tylenol comes in 500mg tablets, same as most countries. The “ER” extended-release version (650mg) is also available at pharmacies.
Q: I need birth control pills. How do I get them? A: Visit any OB/GYN clinic (산부인과). No referral needed. Consultation ~10,000-20,000 KRW with NHIS. Prescription filled at pharmacy for ~5,000-15,000 KRW/month depending on brand.
Q: Can the pharmacist recommend medicine without a prescription? A: Yes. Korean pharmacists are highly trained and routinely recommend OTC medicines based on your symptoms. Just describe what’s wrong and they’ll suggest something appropriate. This is normal and expected.
Q: Are Korean medicines safe? I don’t recognize any brands. A: Yes. Korea has strict pharmaceutical regulations (MFDS, equivalent to FDA). Different brand names, same international active ingredients. Check the active ingredient on the box (usually written in English as well).
Q: I have a medical emergency at night. What do I do? A: Call 119 (ambulance/fire). For non-emergency medical questions at night, call 1339 (medical emergency info, available 24/7, English available). Nearest ER: search “응급실” on Naver/Kakao Map.
Q: Can I use my NHIS insurance at the pharmacy? A: For prescription medicines, yes — NHIS covers roughly 50-70% of the cost. For OTC medicines (no prescription), you pay full price. Convenience store OTC is never covered by insurance. See our health insurance guide for details on enrollment and coverage.
Q: Where can I find familiar Western brands? A: iHerb delivers to Korea (3-7 days). Coupang also carries some international health products. For prescription equivalents, ask the pharmacist for the Korean version of your medicine — show them the generic name (active ingredient).
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