Living in Korea · At the Pharmacy (약국)
Getting sick in a new country is stressful, but in Korea the pharmacy (약국, yakguk) is one of the easiest parts of the health system to use. You don’t need an appointment, and pharmacists are trained to recommend medicine from your symptoms — you don’t have to know a single brand name. This guide shows what to ask for, what to say, and the few things that are prescription-only or not sold in Korea at all.
The 30-second version
- Most everyday medicines — cold, pain, allergy, stomach — are sold over the counter, no prescription needed. Just describe your symptom.
- The one phrase to memorize: “졸리지 않는 약 주세요” — “Please give me a non-drowsy medicine,” so you can still teach.
- A few things foreigners ask for are prescription-only or banned from import — the Japanese painkiller EVE, Motilium-M, and codeine cough syrups. See the red box below.
- Most OTC items cost about ₩3,000–₩10,000. Verified as of 2026
Who this is for: native English teachers living in Korea who want practical, symptom-first help at a local pharmacy. Written by OK Recruiting, a Korea-based teacher recruiter (since 2006). It is general information, not medical advice — a pharmacist or doctor makes the final call.
Colds, cough & nose
Pain, allergy & skin
Stomach & essentials
Not sold OTC
Korean phrases
See a doctor
FAQ
How Korean pharmacies work
- Look for the green cross and the sign 약 — pharmacies cluster near subway exits, clinics, and hospitals.
- Symptom, not brand. Say what’s wrong and whether you need to stay alert for class; the pharmacist picks the product.
- Typical hours are roughly 9am–6pm on weekdays, and many close on Sundays and holidays. For nights and holidays, look for a 24-hour or “지킴이” pharmacy near a hospital ER.
- Some products need a prescription. A number of combination cold and decongestant medicines have been reclassified as prescription-only, so the pharmacist may send you to a clinic — that’s normal.
Colds, cough, throat & nose
Colds are the most common reason teachers visit a pharmacy, especially in winter and at seasonal changes. Match your main symptom to the row below and say the phrase in the second column.
| Symptom | Say this at the counter | Common OTC options (as of 2026) | OK before class? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold & flu (감기) |
감기약 주세요 “cold medicine, please” |
판피린큐 (Panpyrin-Q) / 판콜에이 (Pancold-A) — all-in-one for fever, runny nose & aches; 타이레놀 (Tylenol) for fever/pain alone. | Combos can cause drowsiness — ask for 졸리지 않는 |
| Wet cough (가래 기침) |
가래 기침약 주세요 | 뮤코펙트 (Mucopect / ambroxol) — loosens and clears phlegm. This is the ambroxol expectorant sold in Korea. | Yes |
| Dry / tickly cough (마른기침) |
마른기침약 주세요 | A non-codeine cough suppressant (the pharmacist will choose) plus throat lozenges. Codeine syrups such as 코푸시럽 are prescription-only — see the red box. | Yes |
| Sore throat (목 아픔) |
목이 아파요 | 스트렙실 (Strepsils) lozenges to numb and soothe during long teaching hours. | Yes |
| Runny nose / sneezing (콧물·재채기) |
콧물이 나요 | 지르텍 (Zyrtec / cetirizine) or 클라리틴 (Claritin / loratadine); 액티피드 (Actifed) is stronger but sedating. | 지르텍/클라리틴 usually yes; 액티피드 no |
| Stuffy nose / sinus (코막힘) |
코가 막혀요 | 오트리빈 (Otrivin) spray — fast, but max 5 days in a row; 슈다페드 (Sudafed / pseudoephedrine) tablets (ask the pharmacist — some pseudoephedrine products now need a prescription); saline spray for daily use. | Yes |
Headaches, allergies & skin
| Symptom | Say this at the counter | Common OTC options (as of 2026) | OK before class? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headache / body ache (두통·근육통) |
두통이 있어요 | 타이레놀 (acetaminophen) for mild pain; 부루펜 (Brufen) or 이지엔6 (EZN6) — the ibuprofen products sold in Korea; 펜잘 (Penzal) for tension headache. | Yes |
| Allergy: itching, hives (알레르기) |
알레르기약 주세요 | 지르텍 (cetirizine) or 클라리틴 (loratadine) — antihistamines for pollen, dust and itching. | Mostly yes |
| Cuts, burns, rash (상처·화상) |
피부 연고 있어요? | 마데카솔 (Madecassol) for minor cuts/burns; 베타딘 (Betadine) antiseptic; 클로트리마졸 (clotrimazole) antifungal cream for athlete’s foot / summer rashes. | — |
Stomach & everyday essentials
Spicy food, late-night meals, and a sudden change of diet catch a lot of new teachers out. Match the symptom below.
| Symptom / need | Say this at the counter | Common OTC options (as of 2026) | OK before class? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indigestion / bloating (소화불량) |
소화제 주세요 | 베아제 (Bearse) / 훼스탈 (Festal) digestive enzymes; 까스활명수 (Kkas Whal-myung-su) liquid for a full, gassy stomach. | Yes |
| Diarrhea (설사) |
설사약 주세요 | 스멕타 (Smecta) — powder mixed with water that protects the gut lining; 정로환 (Jeongnohwan) — a well-known antidiarrheal (strong herbal smell is normal). | Yes |
| Dry / tired eyes (눈 건조) |
인공눈물 주세요 | 인공눈물 (artificial tears) for screen time, fine dust, contacts, or dry classroom air. | Yes |
| Mouth ulcer (구내염) |
구내염 약 있어요? | 오라메디 (Oramedi) ointment or a mouth-ulcer patch for painful sores. | Yes |
| Chapped lips / minor wounds | — | Medicated lip balm; bandages + antiseptic ointment for blisters and small cuts. | — |
Not sold over the counter in Korea
These are the products foreign teachers most often ask for by name — and can’t get at a Korean pharmacy. Knowing the substitute saves a wasted trip.
Ask for the substitute instead
- EVE / EVE-A (이브) — the popular Japanese painkiller. Since April 2025 it cannot be brought into Korea (it contains a sedative controlled here), and it is not sold in Korean pharmacies. Ask for ibuprofen instead — 부루펜 or 이지엔6.
- Motilium-M (모티리움엠 / domperidone) — prescription-only in Korea; you cannot buy it OTC. For indigestion use 베아제/훼스탈; for persistent nausea, see a doctor.
- Codeine cough syrups (코푸시럽 and similar) — prescription-only (narcotic-class) and banned for under-12s. For a cough, ask for a non-codeine suppressant or see a clinic.
Useful Korean phrases at the pharmacy
Even one short sentence — or the Korean text shown on your phone — helps the pharmacist find the right medicine fast.
기침이 심해요My cough is bad.
목이 아파요My throat hurts.
콧물이 나요I have a runny nose.
코가 막혀요My nose is blocked.
두통이 있어요I have a headache.
소화제 주세요Please give me something for indigestion.
설사약 주세요Please give me diarrhea medicine.
알레르기약 주세요Please give me allergy medicine.
졸리지 않는 약 주세요Please give me a non-drowsy medicine.
When to see a doctor instead
Pharmacies are excellent for mild symptoms, but some things need a clinic (의원) or hospital (병원).
- A high fever lasts more than 2–3 days
- You have trouble breathing or chest pain
- A cough turns severe or lasts more than a week
- You have severe stomach pain, dehydration, or diarrhea that won’t stop
- A rash spreads quickly, becomes painful, or looks infected
- Symptoms keep getting worse instead of better
For a life-threatening emergency, call 119 (ambulance/fire, English support available).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription to buy medicine at a Korean pharmacy?
No — most everyday medicines for colds, pain, allergies and stomach trouble are sold over the counter without a prescription. Some combination cold and decongestant products, and all codeine cough syrups, do require a prescription; the pharmacist will tell you.
Do Korean pharmacists speak English?
Many understand basic English, especially in larger cities, and showing the Korean phrase on your phone works well. Describe your main symptom rather than a brand name.
I use the Japanese painkiller EVE. Can I bring it or buy it in Korea?
EVE/EVE-A is not sold in Korean pharmacies, and since April 2025 it cannot be brought into Korea because it contains a sedative that is controlled here. Ask a Korean pharmacist for an ibuprofen product such as 부루펜 (Brufen) or 이지엔6 (EZN6) instead.
How do I ask for medicine that won’t make me sleepy before class?
Say “졸리지 않는 약 주세요” (Please give me a non-drowsy medicine) and mention that you have to teach. The pharmacist will steer you toward daytime-safe options.
Where can I find a pharmacy late at night or on a holiday?
Regular pharmacies often close on Sundays and holidays, but 24-hour and holiday “지킴이” pharmacies operate near hospital emergency rooms. For a medical emergency, call 119.
When should I see a doctor instead of a pharmacy?
If symptoms last more than a few days, get worse, or include a high fever, chest pain, or severe pain or dehydration, see a clinic or hospital rather than treating it with OTC medicine alone.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only, current as of 2026, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always confirm with a pharmacist or doctor before taking any medication.
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