Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sapa]

Do I need a prescription for antimalarial pills in Korea? If so can anyone recommend a place to get one? I guess I could go to the International Clinic in Itaewon but I think they may charge more than your normal place.

Also do they sell DEET style bug spray anywhere?

[Xuanzang]

They have the Korean versions of OFF at Homeplus or Emart. The pills you`ll need to see a travel immunologist from any of the major hospitals. They can prescribe it. dr.love on here set me up with Kyunghee`s travel clinic.

[moosehead]

yeah, the antimalarial pills are cheap and easy to get - I took them w/me when I went to S.Africa - they were prescribed thru the Intl Clinic over at Yonsei; I never did take them tho, decided to stay in the desert areas and out of the wetter squeeter-infested ones

[bassexpander]

They sell OFF and some other Korean brands of bug spray around Korea.

[mayorgc]

Do we need to watch out for malaria in Korea?

[Jane]

I got malaria pills last years, and paid significantly more than my friend who picked hers up in the States.

However, there are different kinds...I took Malarone, the latest and most convenient drug, which ended up costing almost 100,000won for a 21-day supply. The other brands are much cheaper.

A visit to the International clinic in Itaewon can get you a perscription.

Make sure you get the right kind, as some are not effective for certain countries.

[Sapa]

ok. thanks for the info.

I'm not too sure what OFF is. Is it just an American brand?

I just want one that has a fairly high DEET percentage.

[SirFink]

[bassexpander]

OFF is a trusted American brand. In America, I know it had DEET. Haven't read the can here, but I'll bet it's identical.

I have a Korean brand I just purchased a few weeks ago, but haven't had to use yet. The can is made to look cute for kids. The can is yellow with an orange lid and has a photo of a little duck wearing goggles -- bugs are flying away from him in fear. It says "MILD" on it at the bottom. It's called something like My-keep-ah (it's all in Korean). It says the active ingredient is 7% Diethyl-meta-toluamide, which is DEET, but that's written all in Korean).

[D.D.]

These drugs can be very dangerous to your health. I have ran into travelers having severe reactions to them. One guy was even suffering mental problems after taking them. Read up on the side effects that a quick google search can give you.

[crossmr]

[dr. love]

It is not necessary to take anti malaria medication in Korea unless you are planning an extended stay along the DMZ.

There are lots of mosquito sprays available at stores, but good screens on your windows is the best solution.

[creeper1]

[Sapa]

Gonna pop to the International Clinic next week to get some pills. Going to Borneo so that's why I want extra strength DEET and antimalarials. I'm well aware you don't need them in South Korea!