Spring allergies hitting hard in Seoul? Need antihistamines but worried about prescription rules? Relax—here’s the lowdown on what’s actually in Korean pharmacies, including the stuff foreigners usually miss about the system.
The Korean OTC System for Allergy Medicine
Korean pharmacies work a bit differently than what you’re used to in the U.S. or U.K. In CVS or Boots, allergy meds sit on the open shelf. In Korea, however, almost everything is kept behind the counter. The good news? Many common allergy treatments are still sold without a prescription because they’re classified as 일반의약품, or general medicines.
The easiest over-the-counter antihistamines you’ll find are the second-generation types. Cetirizine, marketed here as Zyrtec or local brand Allertec, and loratadine that you may know as Claritin or Alavert are hot sellers. You can grab either one at just about any pharmacy, no doctor’s note needed.
You’ll be happy to know the selection is actually wider than many expats think.
What to Say at the Pharmacy (Language Barrier Solutions)
When you walk into any pharmacy, just say, “알레르기 약 주세요” (allergy medicine please). Plain and simple. The pharmacist will hand you the box without a second thought. If you’d rather stick to English, feel free to say “antihistamine” and they’ll know what you mean.
If you want specific brands:
- For Zyrtec, say “지르텍” (jireoteg) or just “cetirizine.”
- For Claritin, ask for “클라리틴” (keullaritin) or “loratadine.”
- For generics, just say the compound name—Korean pharmacists recognize these right away.
In Seoul, pharmacies in Myeongdong, Gangnam, or Itaewon often have English-speaking staff, but honestly the compound names work everywhere. Pharmacists learn this stuff in Latin-based terms.
Korean Brands vs. International Names
Now for the cool part: Korea makes allergy meds that do the same job as the international ones but cost less.
코졸텍(Cozoltec) from Kyungdong Pharma is straight-up cetirizine. Same active ingredient as Zyrtec, half the price. Champ Allernon from Dong-A is aimed at kids, flavored better—parents rave about it.
Local pharmacies usually suggest these Korean meds first. Quality’s the same because they all pass KFDA checks. The box might look different, but the active ingredient is always in English.
Where to Find Allergy Meds
Look for the green cross sign (약). Pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday. Most close on Sunday, except in tourist areas.
Chain shops like Olive Young don’t keep prescription meds on the shelf, but they do carry saline sprays for runny noses and pollen. For real antihistamines, head to a proper 약국—you’ll find one right behind every subway exit. Walk a block from any exit and odds are you’ll pass two or three of them.
If you want the best selection, stop by the pharmacy that’s practically glued to a hospital. Places near Samsung Medical Center or Severance usually have extra shelf space for every possible OTC option.
The Medication of Choice: Sprays Over Pills
In Korea, lab-recommended treatment for bad hay fever is a sprinkle of mometasone spray, and you can pick it up without the prescription hassle you’d face in Europe or the States. The spray hits the nose where the irritation happens, which is why it works so quickly.
However, socially, a tiny bottle of spray can feel like a high-level medical procedure, while a blister pack of pills feels like something you do every day. Because of that, most folks will look at both and grab the pills, even if the pharmacist quietly nods and says the spray is better.
What You’ll Pay and How You’ll Pay
Expect to drop between 5,000 and 15,000 won for the box. Local generics usually kick off at 5,000 won, while a carton of real Zyrtec from Europe can run up to 12,000 won.
All the neighborhood shops will swipe your card or take your phone’s Samsung Pay or KakaoPay app. You’ll rarely need cash, but if you find a super old-school pharmacy in a back alley, keep a few thousand won on you just in case.
Unfortunately, health insurance in South Korea does not reimburse over-the-counter medicines. Still, out-of-pocket prices for these drugs remain low compared to what you would pay for a prescription bottle back home.
4 Things Visitors Need to Know
- You don’t need a prescription for cetirizine, loratadine, or any first-generation antihistamine.
- Local brands are just as effective as U.S. versions, so don’t ignore generic boxes marked Cozoltec or similar.
- Ingredient names stay the same around the world, so just ask for “cetirizine” and the pharmacist will know what you mean—even if you both speak different languages.
- Shelf stock can be spotty. If you visit between February and May, or September and October, better to phone the store and check.
The setup here is generally more flexible than in many Western countries. Once you get used to the slight “behind-the-counter” layout and are clear on which generic names to mention, the whole process takes only a few minutes.
By the next pollen wave, you’ll be completely ready.