Korean Pharmacy: What Cold and Stomach Medicine Should I Ask For?

If you catch a cold or get an upset stomach in Korea, walk into any pharmacy (약국, yakguk), describe your symptoms, and the pharmacist will hand you a suitable over-the-counter medicine — no prescription, no ID and no appointment needed. Well-known Korean OTC names include Pancold A (판콜에이) and Panpyrin (판피린) for colds, Tylenol (타이레놀) for fever and pain, and Bearse (베아제) or Festal (훼스탈) for indigestion. Antibiotics and stronger drugs need a doctor's prescription, so if you are not improving after a couple of days, see a clinic.

This guide gives you the Korean words to say, the products locals actually reach for, and what to do late at night or on a holiday when most pharmacies are shut.

How Korean pharmacies work

Korean pharmacies are easy to spot: look for the green or red cross-shaped sign with the character 약 ("medicine"). Most neighbourhoods have several, often clustered near clinics and hospitals. Unlike pharmacies in some countries, much of the medicine is kept behind the counter, so you usually explain what is wrong and the pharmacist picks the product for you. That is good news for visitors: you do not need to know brand names, just your symptoms.

No prescription is needed for common cold, pain, stomach and skin remedies.
You pay directly at the counter; cards are widely accepted.
Prescriptions from a Korean clinic are filled at a pharmacy, usually one right next to or below the clinic.
Bring your own regular medicine from home if you can — Korean brands may differ from what you know, and foreign prescriptions are not filled in Korea.

Useful Korean phrases at the counter

Many pharmacists in central Seoul and Busan understand basic English, but a few words of Korean (or showing this list on your phone) makes things faster.

감기약 주세요 (gamgi-yak juseyo) – "Cold medicine, please."
목이 아파요 (mogi apayo) – "My throat hurts."
열이 나요 (yeori nayo) – "I have a fever."
기침해요 (gichim-haeyo) – "I'm coughing."
콧물이 나요 (konmuri nayo) – "I have a runny nose."
소화가 안 돼요 (sohwa-ga an dwaeyo) – "I have indigestion."
배가 아파요 (baega apayo) – "My stomach hurts."
설사해요 (seolsa-haeyo) – "I have diarrhoea."
멀미약 있어요? (meolmi-yak isseoyo?) – "Do you have motion sickness medicine?"
알레르기가 있어요 (allereugi-ga isseoyo) – "I have an allergy." (Add the medicine name, e.g. "aspirin".)

Also mention if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, buying for a child, or already taking other medicine. Pharmacists will adjust what they give you.

Cold and flu medicine: what to ask for

Liquid cold remedies in small bottles

The most "Korean" cold remedies are the little brown drinkable bottles. Pancold A (판콜에이) and Panpyrin (판피린) are household names, sold in multi-packs and taken for general cold symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, mild fever and aches. They are popular because they are quick to take and easy on travellers who do not like swallowing pills.

Tablets and capsules

If you prefer tablets, ask for 종합감기약 (jonghap gamgi-yak, "all-in-one cold medicine"). The pharmacist may offer different products depending on whether your main problem is a cough, a blocked nose or a sore throat, so be specific.

Fever and pain

Tylenol (타이레놀) (acetaminophen/paracetamol) is sold everywhere and is the default for fever, headaches and body aches. Ibuprofen-based painkillers are also available; just say "ibuprofen" and the pharmacist will understand. Check the active ingredient against anything else you are taking so you do not double up — many cold remedies already contain a painkiller.

Sore throat

Throat lozenges and throat sprays are common. Simply say mogi apayo and point to your throat.

Stomach medicine: indigestion, diarrhoea and nausea

Korean food is spicy, rich and generous in portion size, so stomach trouble is one of the most common reasons visitors end up at a pharmacy.

Indigestion and bloating

Bearse (베아제) and Festal (훼스탈) are digestive enzyme tablets Koreans take after a heavy meal. For a fast fix, many people also drink Gas Hwal Myung Su (까스활명수), a herbal digestive tonic in a small glass bottle that has been around for over a century.

Heartburn and acid

Antacid gel sachets are widely sold; ask for 위장약 (wijang-yak, "stomach medicine") and explain it burns.

Diarrhoea

Ask for 지사제 (jisaje, "anti-diarrhoea medicine"). Pharmacists may also suggest an oral rehydration product. If you have a high fever, blood in your stool, or symptoms lasting more than two days, skip the pharmacy and see a doctor.

Motion sickness

Heading to Jeju by ferry or on a winding bus to Seoraksan? Ask for 멀미약 (meolmi-yak). Korea is known for its motion sickness patches worn behind the ear as well as tablets and drinks; ask which suits you, as patches are not suitable for everyone.

Skin, bites and small injuries

Cuts and scrapes – antibiotic ointments such as Fucidin (후시딘) and wound-healing creams such as Madecassol (마데카솔) are classic first-aid staples.
Muscle pain – pain-relief patches (파스, paseu) are cheap and very popular after long walking days.
Blisters – hydrocolloid bandages are easy to find; ask for 물집 밴드 (muljip baendeu).
Mosquito bites – anti-itch creams and roll-ons are sold in summer.

Late at night or on a holiday

Most pharmacies close in the evening and many close on Sundays and public holidays. You have three options:

Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, emart24) that display a "안전상비의약품" (safe household medicine) sign sell a small, government-approved range of basics 24 hours a day — typically items like Tylenol, Panpyrin, Bearse, Festal and pain-relief patches. The selection is limited and stores sell small quantities only.
Holiday duty pharmacies (휴일지킴이약국) stay open on weekends and holidays on a rota. Search "휴일지킴이약국" in Naver Map or Kakao Map, or ask your hotel front desk.
The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline can help you find an open pharmacy or clinic and interpret over the phone.

For anything serious — trouble breathing, chest pain, a very high fever, severe dehydration — call 119 or go straight to a hospital emergency room. Our guide to getting sick in Korea as a tourist explains clinics, ERs and insurance paperwork in detail.

"I keep a two-pack of Gas Hwal Myung Su in my bag after every Korean BBQ night." — a POPORO CITY regular

Quick tips

Describe symptoms, not brands — the pharmacist will choose for you.
Screenshot the Korean phrases above before you go out.
Keep receipts if you plan to claim on travel insurance.
Read the active ingredients to avoid taking two painkillers at once.
Bring prescription medicine from home in its original packaging.
Look for the "안전상비의약품" sign at convenience stores after hours.

FAQ

Do I need a prescription for cold medicine in Korea?

No. Common cold, fever, stomach and first-aid medicines are sold over the counter at pharmacies. Antibiotics, strong painkillers and many other drugs require a prescription from a Korean doctor.

Can foreigners buy medicine at Korean pharmacies without an ID?

Yes. You do not need a passport or residence card to buy over-the-counter medicine. You only need ID for prescription medicine dispensed after a clinic visit.

Do Korean pharmacists speak English?

In tourist areas many speak at least basic English, and most can read medicine names in English. If not, show the Korean phrases in this guide or use a translation app.

Can I buy medicine at a convenience store in Korea?

Yes, but only a small approved range of basic cold, fever, digestive and pain-relief products at stores that carry the 안전상비의약품 sign. For anything else, visit a pharmacy.

Is Korean medicine the same as at home?

Active ingredients such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are the same, but brand names, doses and combinations can differ. Always read the label or ask the pharmacist, and check with a doctor if you have a medical condition.

This guide is general travel information, not medical advice. If symptoms are severe or persist, see a doctor.