Seoul Pharmacy Guide: When You're Sick Late at Night, Easy for Foreigners!
Table of Contents
1. Don't Worry When You Get Sick Late at Night!
Getting suddenly sick in an unfamiliar place can be quite alarming. Even in a vibrant city like Seoul, finding medicine late at night can be challenging. But don't worry! Seoul offers various pharmacy services and information for foreign travelers. This guide will provide detailed information on how to get medicine late at night or on weekends, and tips for foreigners to conveniently use pharmacies. Now you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind, even if you feel unwell!
2. Seoul Pharmacy Opening Hours & Types
Seoul has various types of pharmacies, each with different operating hours. It's important to find the right pharmacy for your situation.
24/7 Pharmacies
There are a few 24-hour pharmacies in Seoul. These are the most useful option in an emergency. They are usually located in bustling areas or near university hospitals.
- Pros: Can buy medicine anytime, 24 hours a day.
- Cons: Limited in number, and medicine prices might be higher than regular pharmacies.
Nighttime Pharmacies (Holiday Duty Pharmacies)
The Korea Pharmaceutical Association operates 'Holiday Duty Pharmacies' which provide information on pharmacies open on weekends, public holidays, and at night. It's recommended to search for a pharmacy in advance before visiting.
- How to Search:
- Holiday Duty Pharmacy Website: https://www.pharm114.or.kr/ (Korean)
- Apps like 'Goodoc' (굿닥) and 'TtocTtoc' (똑닥) (available for download in mobile app stores, some English support).
- Pros: Relatively easy to find, can buy medicine at the same price as regular pharmacies.
- Cons: Not 24-hour, so you must check operating hours.
Convenience Store OTC Medicines
For sudden minor symptoms, you can use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines sold at convenience stores. Many convenience stores operate 24 hours, offering excellent accessibility.
- Available Items (OTC Drugs):
- Fever reducers/Pain relievers (Acetaminophen-based, Ibuprofen-based)
- Cold medicines (multi-symptom cold medicine, nasal cold medicine, cough/phlegm medicine)
- Digestives
- Patches (topical anti-inflammatory pain relievers)
- Ointments (wound ointments)
- Pros: Excellent accessibility, available 24 hours.
- Cons: Limited variety of medicines, no professional consultation from a pharmacist.
3. Finding the Medicine You Need Easily
Types of OTC Medicines by Symptom
In Korean pharmacies, you can purchase various over-the-counter medicines for different symptoms.
- Cold/Flu: Multi-symptom cold medicine, fever reducers/pain relievers (e.g., Tylenol, Penzal, Gaborin), nasal cold medicine, cough medicine, sore throat medicine.
- Indigestion/Upset Stomach: Digestives (e.g., Whastale, Bease), intestinal regulators (e.g., Gas Hwalmyungsu), diarrhea medicine.
- Headache/Menstrual Pain: Fever reducers/pain relievers (e.g., Tylenol, EZN6, Tacsen).
- Muscle Pain/Sprains: Patches (e.g., Ketotop, Shinshinpas AREX), topical anti-inflammatory pain relievers (e.g., Mentholatum).
- Allergies: Antihistamines (e.g., Zyrtec, Claritin).
- Wounds/Skin Rashes: Ointments (e.g., Madecassol, Fucidin), bandages, disinfectants.
Prescription vs. Non-Prescription Medications
In Korea, medicines are categorized into 'General Medicines' (OTC - Over-The-Counter) which can be purchased without a doctor's prescription, and 'Specialty Medicines' (Prescription Drugs) which absolutely require a doctor's prescription.
- General Medicines (OTC - Over-The-Counter): Can be purchased without a prescription at convenience stores and pharmacies. Most of the medicines mentioned above fall into this category.
- Specialty Medicines (Prescription Drugs): Used to treat specific illnesses such as antibiotics, high blood pressure medication, diabetes medication. You must consult a doctor and receive a prescription to purchase these from a pharmacy.
4. Pharmacy Tips for Foreigners
Overcoming Language Barriers
- Utilize Translation Apps: Actively use translation apps like Google Translate or Papago. The photo translation feature, in particular, can be very helpful for understanding medicine packaging or instructions.
- Prepare Simple English Phrases: It's good to prepare basic English words for describing symptoms (e.g., headache, stomachache, fever, cough, sore throat).
- Interpretation Services: Rarely, some pharmacies near large hospitals might offer interpretation services.
Communicating with Korean Pharmacists
- Describe Symptoms Specifically: Clearly explain where it hurts, when the pain started, and what kind of pain it is (e.g., throbbing, burning).
- Disclose Allergies and Current Medications: If you have allergies to specific medications or are currently taking other medications, you must inform the pharmacist.
- Disclose Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Status: If you are a woman, you must inform the pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Don't Hesitate to Ask Questions: If you have any questions about how to take the medicine, dosage, or side effects, don't hesitate to ask.
Utilizing Mobile Apps
- Goodoc (굿닥): Offers various functions such as finding hospitals/pharmacies, making appointments, and telemedicine. Some features are available in English. (Note: This is not an affiliate link, just a helpful resource.)
- TtocTtoc (똑닥): Provides similar services to Goodoc, and is convenient for booking hospital/pharmacy appointments and checking waiting times. (Note: This is not an affiliate link, just a helpful resource.)
5. Things to Note When Visiting a Pharmacy
Clearly Explain Your Health Condition
To get the correct medicine, it's crucial to explain your health condition and symptoms to the pharmacist as thoroughly as possible. Instead of just saying "I'm sick," it's better to be specific, such as "My head is throbbing and I have a fever," or "I've been having diarrhea since yesterday."
Confirm Medications You Are Taking
If you are currently taking any medications, show the pharmacist the name, ingredients, or a photo of the medicine. This is very important as drug interactions can cause adverse effects.
Payment Methods
Most pharmacies accept various payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and mobile payments (e.g., Kakao Pay, Naver Pay).
6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: What over-the-counter cold medicines can I buy without a prescription in Korea?
A1: Various multi-symptom cold medicines, fever reducers/pain relievers (e.g., Tylenol, Pancol, Panpyrin, Coldwon), nasal cold medicines, and cough medicines can be purchased without a prescription. If you explain your symptoms at the pharmacy, the pharmacist will recommend suitable medicine.
Q2: Where can I find 24-hour pharmacies in Seoul?
A2: 24-hour pharmacies are rare, but a few exist mainly in busy areas with high foot traffic like Gangnam Station, Hongdae, and Dongdaemun, or near large hospitals. You can search for '24-hour pharmacy' on the Holiday Duty Pharmacy website or the Goodoc app for exact locations.
Q3: What types of over-the-counter medicines can I buy at convenience stores?
A3: Fever reducers/pain relievers (Tylenol, Ibuprofen-based), cold medicines, digestives, patches, and ointments for common minor symptoms are available. The variety of medicines may differ by convenience store.
Q4: How much do medicines usually cost?
A4: For over-the-counter medicines, prices vary depending on the type and quantity, but typically range from ₩3,000 to ₩15,000 (approx. $2.2 to $11.0 USD). Prescription-only specialty medicines can vary significantly in price depending on whether national health insurance is applied. For foreigners, as health insurance typically doesn't apply, costs might be higher.
Q5: Can I communicate in English at pharmacies?
A5: Not all pharmacies will have fluent English speakers. However, younger pharmacists or pharmacies in areas frequently visited by foreigners often have basic English communication skills. Having a translation app ready is the most reliable method.
7. Conclusion
Don't panic if you suddenly fall ill in Seoul! You can get the medicine you need anytime by utilizing various pharmacy services and smartphone apps. We hope this guide helps you have a healthy and safe trip to Seoul.
- Assess Symptoms: Accurately identify your symptoms.
- Search for Pharmacies: Use the Holiday Duty Pharmacy website or 'Goodoc', 'TtocTtoc' apps to search for nearby pharmacies and check their operating hours.
- Prepare for Pharmacy Visit: Prepare translation apps, information about medications you are currently taking, and a description of your symptoms in advance.
- Consult Pharmacist: Explain your symptoms in detail to the pharmacist and purchase the necessary medicine.
- Utilize Convenience Stores: For minor symptoms, purchase OTC medicines from a nearby convenience store.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip to Seoul!
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