English to Korean glossary of common medicines
Updated September 7, 2026
The Korean names of the medicines travellers ask for most, with the generic ingredient and the brands you will see on Korean shelves, to point at or read out at the counter.
How to use this page
Korean pharmacists know medicines by ingredient and by local brand. Your brand from home (Advil, Panadol, Claritin, Imodium) may mean nothing at the counter, but the ingredient always does, and many Western brands exist in Korea under the same name written in Hangul. Point at the Korean column, or say the generic name in English; most pharmacists learned pharmacology in English terms.
Brands below are examples of what is common on Korean shelves, not recommendations. Korean brands often bundle several ingredients into one cold or pain product. If you must avoid a specific ingredient, say so: the pharmacist will check the box for you.
Pain and fever
| English / ingredient | Korean | Common brands in Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen (paracetamol) | 아세트아미노펜 · 해열진통제 | 타이레놀 (Tylenol) |
| Ibuprofen | 이부프로펜 | 부루펜 (Brufen), 애드빌 (Advil) |
| Aspirin | 아스피린 | 아스피린프로텍트 (low dose), 바이엘아스피린 |
| Naproxen | 나프록센 | 탁센 |
| Painkiller (general) | 진통제 | "Jin-tong-je" |
| Fever reducer | 해열제 | "Hae-yeol-je" |
| Menstrual pain relief | 생리통약 | 이지엔6, 게보린 |
| Medicated patch for muscle pain | 파스 | 제일쿨파프, 신신파스, 케토톱. Hot 핫파스 or cool 쿨파스 |
Cold, cough and throat
| English / ingredient | Korean | Common brands in Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Cold medicine (combination) | 감기약 · 종합감기약 | 판콜, 판피린, 화이투벤, 콜대원 |
| Cough medicine | 기침약 | Ask the pharmacist; several syrups are OTC |
| Decongestant (pseudoephedrine) | 코감기약 · 슈도에페드린 | 액티피드 (Actifed). OTC in limited amounts |
| Decongestant nasal spray | 코막힘 스프레이 | Short courses only |
| Sore throat lozenge | 목캔디 · 인후염 트로키 | 스트렙실 (Strepsils), 용각산 |
| Sore throat spray | 목 스프레이 | 베타딘 인후스프레이 |
| Fever reducer for children | 어린이 해열제 | 어린이 타이레놀, 어린이 부루펜, 챔프 |
Stomach and gut
| English / ingredient | Korean | Common brands in Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Antacid / heartburn | 제산제 | 겔포스 (Gelfos), 개비스콘 (Gaviscon) |
| Digestive aid / indigestion | 소화제 | 베아제, 훼스탈, 활명수 (liquid) |
| Anti-diarrhoeal (loperamide) | 지사제 · 설사약 · 로페라마이드 | 로프민, 정로환 |
| Laxative | 변비약 | 둘코락스 (Dulcolax), 메이킨 |
| Motion sickness | 멀미약 | 이지롱, 토스롱. Tablets or liquid |
| Oral rehydration | 경구수액 · 이온음료 | Sports drinks such as 포카리스웨트 are in every store |
| Hangover remedy | 숙취해소제 | 컨디션, 상쾌환. Sold in convenience stores |
| Nausea | 구역질 · 속이 안 좋아요 | Symptom phrase |
Allergy, skin and bites
| English / ingredient | Korean | Common brands in Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Antihistamine, cetirizine | 세티리진 · 알레르기약 | 지르텍 (Zyrtec) |
| Antihistamine, loratadine | 로라타딘 | 클라리틴 (Claritin) |
| Antihistamine, fexofenadine | 펙소페나딘 | 알레그라 (Allegra) |
| Insect-bite cream | 벌레 물린 데 바르는 약 | 버물리, 물파스 |
| Antibiotic ointment | 항생제 연고 | 후시딘, 마데카솔 (OTC) |
| Hydrocortisone / mild steroid cream | 히드로코르티손 크림 · 스테로이드 연고 | 락티케어 HC. Mild strengths OTC |
| Antifungal cream | 무좀약 · 항진균 크림 | 카네스텐, 라미실 |
| Burn / sunburn ointment | 화상 연고 | 비아핀, 마데카솔 |
| Antiseptic | 소독약 | 포비돈 (povidone-iodine), 과산화수소 |
| Plaster / band-aid | 밴드 · 반창고 | 대일밴드 is the word people use |
Eyes, sleep and other
| English | Korean | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial tears / eye drops | 인공눈물 · 안약 | Over the counter; single-use vials are common |
| Contact lens solution | 렌즈 세정액 | Pharmacies and optical shops |
| Melatonin | 멜라토닌 | Prescription-only in Korea |
| Sleeping aid | 수면유도제 | Some antihistamine-based products are OTC; ask |
| Oral contraceptive pill | 사전피임약 | Over the counter (e.g. 머시론, 마이보라) |
| Emergency contraceptive | 사후피임약 | Prescription required. See a clinic |
| Nicotine patch / gum | 니코틴 패치 · 껌 | Over the counter |
| Thermometer | 체온계 | Pharmacies sell digital and ear thermometers |
| Face mask (KF94) | KF94 마스크 | Pharmacies, convenience stores, supermarkets |
Antibiotics need a prescription. No pharmacy will sell antibiotics, strong painkillers, sleeping pills or asthma inhalers without a Korean prescription. If you rely on one of these, read the prescription guide before you run out.
Other useful words
| English | Korean | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | 약국 | "Yak-guk" |
| Pharmacist | 약사 | |
| Prescription | 처방전 | A Korean one is required |
| Over-the-counter medicine | 일반의약품 | |
| Prescription-only medicine | 전문의약품 | |
| Tablet / capsule / syrup | 정 / 캡슐 / 시럽 | 정 (jeong) is written after brand names |
| Once / twice / three times a day | 하루 한 번 / 두 번 / 세 번 | |
| After meals | 식후 | Most Korean directions say 식후 30분 |
| Receipt | 영수증 | Insurance receipt: 보험용 영수증 |
| I am allergic to … | 저는 … 에 알레르기가 있어요 |
This guide is general information for travellers, not medical advice. A pharmacist or doctor decides what is right for you, and opening hours are as registered and may differ on the day.