Find the right medicine
in Korea
Type your symptom in English. We'll show you the right Korean OTC medicine and help you communicate with the pharmacist.
Free public service · Powered by MFDS open data · Updated monthly
Latest News
Updates and tips for using medicines in Korea
Korean Sleep Aid OTC: Melatonin Rules & Pharmacy Sleeping Pills
Melatonin is prescription-only in Korea, but pharmacies sell OTC sleep aid tablets. Compare doxylamine vs diphenhydramine brands, learn the Korean phrase to ask for, prices, and safety limits.
How to Read Korean Medicine Labels: Dosage, Warnings & Expiry
Learn to read a Korean medicine label fast: OTC vs prescription marks, what 1일 3회 식후 30분 means, key warning phrases, expiry and storage lines, plus how to ID a loose pill.
Is a Prescription Needed in Korea? Pharmacy Rules Explained
Which medicines need a prescription at a Korean pharmacy and which do not. OTC vs prescription-only lists, clinic costs, and the ADHD import permit rule.
The Best Stem Cell Treatment in Seoul: What It Does and Where I'd Go
What stem cell treatment is, why Seoul is worth the trip, what the research says, and the Gangnam clinic I recommend for same-day SVF
Korean Pharmacy Prices: What OTC Medicine Really Costs in Korea
Korean pharmacy prices explained in won: what painkillers, cold medicine, digestive aids and antibiotics actually cost, how insurance changes the bill, and where to buy medicine late at night.
Korean Fever Reducer for Adults & Kids: OTC Pharmacy Guide
Buy a fever reducer in Korea without a prescription: Tylenol and Brufen brand names, adult and child weight-based dosing, and 24-hour convenience store options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is BeautyDir Pharm?▾
BeautyDir Pharm is a free online service that helps foreigners find over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in South Korea. You can search by symptom in English and get the correct Korean medicine name, dosage, and cautions — making pharmacy visits much easier.
Is BeautyDir Pharm free to use?▾
Yes, BeautyDir Pharm is completely free. It is a public-interest service powered by Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS / 식품의약품안전처) open data. No registration or payment is required.
Where does the medicine data come from?▾
All medicine information is sourced from the official MFDS (식품의약품안전처) public dataset called e약은요 (Drug Easy Guide), available on Korea's Public Data Portal (data.go.kr). This is the same data used by Korean healthcare professionals.
How often is the medicine data updated?▾
The BeautyDir Pharm medicine database is updated monthly from the MFDS public API. This ensures the information stays current with the latest registered OTC drugs in Korea. Data is refreshed around the 1st of each month (매월 갱신).
What is the Pharmacy Communication Card?▾
The Pharmacy Card is a bilingual (Korean + English) printable card you can build from your medicine searches. Add the medicines you need, then show the card to the Korean pharmacist. No Korean language skills required.
Can I use BeautyDir Pharm to find a pharmacy near me?▾
Yes. The Pharmacy Finder uses your GPS location to show nearby pharmacies with their opening hours, 24-hour availability, and whether English-speaking staff are available.
Are all medicines on BeautyDir Pharm available without a prescription?▾
BeautyDir Pharm focuses on OTC (over-the-counter / 일반의약품) medicines that can be purchased at Korean pharmacies without a prescription. However, always confirm with the pharmacist as some medicines may require a doctor's prescription.