Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lyssa628]

Hi,

I have a RX for adderall and my dr. is giving me an extra RX to last me through my time teaching. Can I bring it in? I have a legal Rx and everything. Has anyone had any experience bringing it with them? Please let me know. Thank you!

[djsmnc]

Why not? I just brought in codeine and pethidine, which would seemingly be much more difficult as far as I'm aware

[yellowdove]

I brought Ritalin in with me, I had my prescription bottles in my carry-on bag along with a copy of the prescription, and when I went through screening they said nothing. Maybe because I had it in a bag within a bag. They won't say anything on the Korean side, they don't look in your bag.

[Milwaukiedave]

There should be no problem bringing it into Korea. The only thing I would say is if you have to carry a prescription when you go home, have a copy of the prescription with you. US Customs may ask what it is.

[haylsb11]

I am in the same situation. Did your Dr. prescribe you enough to last you an entire year?

[akcrono]

No no no. Its illegal, and given their stance on drugs, could result in jailtime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adderall

[Milwaukiedave]

Indeed it does look like it is illegal here (though there is no citation). I would contact the KFDA via their website and ask for clarification.

It looks like you may have to change medications if you come to Korea. That isn't the best idea if you have been stable on a medication for a long period of time, so if you can get it changed before you come that would be better.

I looked at the one I'm on and it isn't a class II which is why there is no problem bring them here.

The other thing you should consider is you will be drug tested and since it is an amphetamine it may show up in your test results if you are still on it.

[kprrok]

I'm curious how a doctor was able to write a prescription for a year's worth of a CII narcotic? Unless things have changed since I worked in a pharmacy a few years back, CIIs could only be given on a month-to-month basis. I guess part of that may have been insurance not paying for more than 1 month at a time, but refills were NEVER allowed. If you're gonna pay cash, I guess the Doc could give a year's worth. I wouldn't want to even think about that bill, though.

[haylsb11]

OK so I called the Korean Embassy here in the States to ask what the deal was. They said that as long as you have a prescription then it is no problem. I also thought it was impossible to have a prescription for more than a month, but I guess I'll find out today when I see my Dr.

[paulandsilas]

My recruiter suggested that I get off of Paxil before I came here. I am not really sure about their stance on medication here as I am new to the area, but I went ahead and came off of the medicine. I had a prescription that was supposed to last me five months.

[laguna]

[Steve_Rogers2008]

people are also forgetting being a hyoperactive spaz will bring you down to the level of most kids through high school, so it's a bit of a plus to be an unmedicated ADHDer....


now for a straight ADHD-inattentive type, it's a bit trickier. Just make sure your Gameboy has enough games and batteries...

[Illysook]

I was on Paxil when I went through my drug screen and I was fine. Koreans don't know a whole lot about particular medications. They asked me if I was on any pain meds, and I said I'd taken Ibuprofin for an injury and they were afraid to run my drug test. I insisted that they do it anyway and it was fine. They are looking for the same drugs that employers in the states look for. Narcotics, Amphetamines, and the like. Some ADD people respond well to antidepressants. I am not less of a dizzy clutz, but I do stay on task better and don't have to experience stimulant side effects, so if you have to discontinue adderall or dexadrine, you could try an antidepressant and see how it works for you.

[perkxplosion]

[bobbyhanlon]

go to a doctor in korea and get a prescription here. a friend of a friend is getting deported for having the very same drug sent to him through the mail from the usa.