Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bixlerscott]

I went to the Korean pharmacy for some Ibuprofen which is called Burupen by the Korean drug manufacturer and it does not kill a headache or body aches one bit. I took ibuprofen in the states and it always worked very well.

My pill pack says DIAPEN 400 on it with orange pills.

Can anyone tell me how to get ibuprofen that actually works???

[seoulsucker]

I brought a mega-bottle from Walgreen's back with me from the States in October. I always make a point to stock up on OTC drugs that actually work instead of relying on the garbage sold at Korean pharmacies.

Have the fam express you a bottle. I'm pretty sure it's not available OTC here, and docs won't prescribe you more than a handful at a time.

[Qinella]

Yeah Korean medicine is pretty weak. I did like Seoulsucker and brought over a 500-pack of generic ibuprofen from the states last time I came. I'm going back to the US on Friday so I'd say you could have the rest of my bottle, but it looks like you are on the other side of the peninsula. Best bet might be to get someone to ship you a bottle. Sure does come in handy when you wake up with a hangover.

[Novernae]

If it says 'Diapen' then it's not 'Ibuprofen' (which is definitely available OTC here). The only difference is that sometimes it's sold as a combination with other drugs. Brofon is a brand here that is pure Ibuprofen (400mg).
Check the label next time before you buy it.
And for those who say the Korean stuff is weak, 200mg is 200mg, and 400mg is 400mg. Make sure you're buying the right strength.

[Gamecock]

Yeah, the real stuff is here, as has been said. Go to your nearest pharmacy and ask for "eeboopropin." Same as back home. 10 400mg tablets will run you W2000.

[SeoulMan6]

Yeah, the stuff is fine but might be in a smaller dose. I take 2 pills for hangovers or knee pain and it does the trick same as back home. I can't live without the stuff. I buy 3 packs at a time!

[butlerian]

Use Resolve. Works every time.

[Novernae]

[swetepete]

As a former treeplanter with chronic tendonitis, I can vouch for Ibuprofin's efficacy, but also for the inadvisability of long-term use. It works like a charm for any kind of inflammation (including the inflamed brain of a nasty hangover) but it's also kinda bad for your liver. So is booze; hitting the sauce wickedly hard twice a week and then doping yourself into a comfort zone the day after is a beautiful thing, but it's NOT GOOD FOR YOU.
I'm not too worried about it myself, as I will almost certainly be dead of something more exotic and adventuresome long before my liver turns sclerotic; but for those of you who intend to lead healthy lives into your fifties, best to use the old vitamin I somewhat more sparingly.

[bixlerscott]

Yes, I ask for ee-bu-propin and got SUDFEN Fast-Acting Antipryretic Analgesics made by Pharvis.

I am concerned it may be acetametaphen as that is bad for your liver, especially if have drinking within the past day.

The drug content is:

200 MG 이부프로퍼 (약전)
185 MG 아르기닌 (B,P)

I am guessing it is 200 MG of ibuprofen and 185 MG of acetametaphen. Correct me if I am wrong.

Uh, once again, how do you get the stuff that is only Ibuprofen like commonly found in most countries of the world by the name of Ibuprofen?

[Novernae]

[Yesterday]

[bixlerscott]

That is pretty bad. Diabetic medicine? Very imcompetent. Korea sure is really difficult for foreigners without someone knowledgable to assist. Thats too bad. I would hate to have real health care needs here.

Thanks for letting me know it's ibufen, not all these other names I have been told. I will ask for it and see if I can find it.

Yea, when I got Diapen, I asked for, "Burupen", When I got the 2nd pack by asking for "eeboopropin" today at a second pharmacy it was Sudafen. Still not ibuprofen. Very disappointed with how it seems so impossible to get help with things that are slightly technical in nature or if you simply have a question on where to find something or how to do something. I am amiss.

When I asked Korean teachers and foriegn teachers how to get ibuprofen, it was a big mystery to them.. When I asked how to get contact lenses and get a dental cleaning, again, just a big cloud. Ditto. Go figure...

Korea really is difficult for foreigners without help. I never seen a place where you can't buy necessities that are readily available. Drugs and technology things are normally have universal names in most countries, but not in Korea.

[wylies99]

[Novernae]