Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MIKESHU]

Hello all,
This is my second post, so if this info has been covered elsewhere on the forum, I sincerely apologize - I know veteran posters/members can often get tired of seeing the same, "help me ____ asap!" threads - and this certainly isn't an asap issue, but I do need to gather accurate info about this so I can discuss options w/ my current physician.

Ok, here goes - I'll start w/ my situation first, then move on to the actual questions.

My situation: I am currently job hunting for a ESL teaching position (hagwon) in S.Korea, preferrably in Seoul or Busan, but given that I don't have any formal experience thus far I am quite flexible about the location. Basically, I want to live/work in an urban setting, but landing a job is the main priority.
So I have been searching the web and making seemingly endless phone calls that seem to go nowhere - I simply NEED to know whether the Rx's I'm currently prescribed by my Dr. are available in S.Korea. I take 2 medications, but one specifically is the most important - clonazepam (generic Klonopin).
I take Klonopin for Panic Disorder - for those unaware of Panic Disorder, it is not (always) related to any underlying anxiety - the person just experiences Panic Attacks - anyone who has had a Panic Attack can attest to how debilitating they are - basically, you think you are about the have a heart attack, very scary. I'm not going over all the symptoms and whatnot, but I do want to point out, again, that isolated Panic Disorder does not always relate to any underlying anxiety disorders - I have Panic Disorder, but no medical history of depression, anxiety, etc. This *may* be important to distinguish b/c a school that may potentially hire me obviously wants a teacher that has no serious medical issues - depression, anxiety, etc., for which the transition to another country to live/work may exacerbate existing symptoms and render the potentially great new teacher a sobbing, trembling mess.
Panic Disorder is not entirely understood, as to it's causes or even the mechanism that causes it - like pretty much every psychological condition lol. However, my Dr. is prepared to attest that I am young and healthy and that there is nothing medical that would prevent me from successfully teaching in another country - mind you, he would prefer that I maintain on this medication...
So, for the past 18 months I've taken Klonopin for Panic Disorder, and guess what - no panic attacks for 18 months now! Now this is all fine and dandy here in the states, b/c the reason I haven't had any attacks is b/c of my medication doing what it is supposed to do. I don't increase my dose, or take more than I need - basically it works like a charm and other than taking the med daily, you wouldn't know I take anything.
Now here is the tricky part: Klonopin (Clonazepam) is a Schedule IV medication under the Controlled Substances Act - I'm not gonna go into all the details of the scheduling except to say that it is a benzodiazepine medication and hence does have (very limited, when taken as Rx'd) SOME potential for habituation and misuse. This doesn't apply to me, I don't abuse my medication, but the thing is - if this medicine is NOT available in S.Korea then I need to start a taper off this medicine asap. Gradually stopping klonopin is necessary, as aburpt cessation could result in severe (i.e. seizures, etc.) withdrawal symptoms - sometimes (rarely) life threatening even.
I don't have any problem doing a medication taper if I need to, and I have already discussed this w/ my Dr. - funny thing is/was his response: He doesn't want to take me off the medication, if at all possible, b/c it has worked so well - not a single incidence of panic attack in over a year and a half. He agreed that IF this medication would not be available to me by Rx, or otherwise hehe (not supporting drug abuse btw, but c'mon, I'm sure we know their are many countries, Mexico or Thailand, for example, where schedule IV meds in the US are available OTC. I don't know about S.Korea, but I would guess to say NO - I think they are much more stringent about medications and drug use than many other their SEA brother's and sister's if you catch my drift lol..

Ok, now the specific question: Does anybody know if Klonopin (Clonazepam) is available by prescription in S.Korea? If so, how does one go about getting their Rx's transferred from the US to Korea? If not, and beleive it or not, this was my Dr.'s suggestion: Would it be possible to maintain him (my Dr.) as a physician and have the medication shipped to Korea from the States - with his authorization of course, like I said, this was him brainstorming ideas b/c he honestly doesn't want to take me off a medication that is working so well for me, but at the same time, doesn't want to limit my potential travel/career opportunities for 2 pills a day either. See how this is kinda tricky? I think so at least, b/c I cannot find ANY source legitimate or otherwise even that states what medications are available in S.Korea and how one would go about transferring Rx's from one country to another - I can imagine this being a potential nightmare - but hopefully I'm wrong and someone w/ experience in this matter can provide some assistance.

Oh, and btw, the other medication I take is generic Zyban aka Wellbutrin aka Buproprion - this IS a medication for depression, but I'm Rx'd it for off-label use as a smoker-cessation aide. Believe it or not, it works very well for that purpose - I don't have depression in any form, but b/c Zyban and Wellbutrin are the same chemical (Buproprion) and the US pharma industry is sneaky it goes like this: Zyban, the same chemical as Wellbutrin is CURRENTLY under patent - meaning there is no generic Zyban, which is Rx'd for smoking cessation, not depression. Patents for pharms last 7 yr here in the states. Now, Wellbutrin IS available generically, as the 7 yr limit is done past and any pharmacutical company that wants to make it, for the most part can - but it cannot be Rx'd for smoking cessation, only depression - even though its the SAME CHEMICAL and works the EXACT SAME WAY ! So, yes this is ridiculous, and perhaps irrelevant, since I am willing to give up the Zyban that can't be called Zyban for several more years, it must be called Wellbutrin(or Generic Wellbutrin specifically I guess ?) and Rx'd for Depression - this is what the pharmacist sees on the Rx form - funny story, I was talking w/ my pharmacist about how great it worked to help me quit smoking, and he jokingly said, "and how's that imaginary depression its officially supposed to treat...? " with a coy smile. The Dr's and Pharmacists all know its a farce, but hey this is the USA - ridiculous stuff like this runs rampant here... and elsewhere i'm sure... oh well...

So, yea - case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit long-winded at times - I apologize in advance - I'm just very happy to be a part of the ESL Cafe community and the resources therein.

So to finish this essay up, does anyone have any experience and/or advice for my situation? If the medication is NOT available is it feasible to have it Rx'd in the States and shipped to S.Korea (w/ any necessary documentation, of course) or is that idea laughable (to you guys, not me..)? And if it is NOT available by Rx in Korea, and I can't have it sent to me in Korea, are there any other options to get this medication in Korea, or elsewhere in SEA - and I'm not joking here: any chance of a 'legal' - that is the keyword here, I'm not trying to smuggle haha - 'medication run' to Japan, such as a Visa run. I say that jokingly, but there is a hint of seriousness to it, as for me this is a VERY serious inquiry.

Anyways, thanks to all that read and reply w/ any relevant info - I very much appreciate it, and apologize for the sheer length of the post - I needed to explain the situation as accurately and thoroughly as possible to get the most accurate, helpful information though, right?

Cheers all,

Mikeshu

[MIKESHU]

OH forgot to mention this...

I have one of my regular 3 month visits to my physician this coming week. I was hoping I could share some of your thoughts/opinions/facts ideally, about this predicament.

If this thread even got a couple good posts, I'd just print it out and take it w/ me - but I need someone else here talking besides me...

Don't make me tell my doc that the guys at Dave's don't like the new guy from MD

Otherwise, we may just decide to go against our hopes/gut instinct here (well his... I just listen to his recommendations...i.e. ' Ideally, I'd like to keep you on this medicine b/c...') and go ahead and start a taper - I'm not sure how long it would take a month at least, maybe 2 ? Never had a 'taper' from anything...

The cigarrettes were cold turkey and that went well - but I do occasionally smoke e-cigs now. I still get nicotine, but none of the smoke, carcinogens, and other sh*t that's in those things. I like how Vonnegut put it ( and I don't have anything against smokers, I just agree w/ this personally... My lifestyle changes are mine, and I don't preach them, I just like Kurt V. > RIP on cigarettes " a fire at one end, and a fool at the other..." haha gotta love his satire.

So I guess its OK to highjack my own thread right ? esp, one w/out any replies lol - so here goes ----> in addition to my original question, does anyone know if e-cigarettes are available in Korea yet ? I heard on Nateline last night I believe that US Tobacco Companies are targeting W.Europe and Asian customers more now b/c of all the backlash against tobacco in the states - legal, but highly frowned upon in *most major/important social circles....
ahhh who am I kidding - cigarrettes are and will always be cool no matter how much anyone tries to stop it... hahaha
As far as myself though - I'm happy being healthier - hard to skateboard or snowboard w/ a really weak lung capacity, exercise in general is limited...
But anyways, I'm sidetracking my own hi-jack...
Anybody know bout e-cigs or the medication issue ?
I really like mine, and encourage anybody that *wants to quit to give it a shot if they haven't - the zyban is what got me off them officially, but I haven't smoked any tobacco since the zyban, which I'm not even taking, but do have a current Rx for. I just puff the nico-vapor occasionally - groovy flavors too !
Yea i just said groovy... but in my defense, that is an appropriate adjective to describe em i think.
what do YOU think ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?




anybody?

[Jake_Kim]

Clonazepam - Rivotril tablets (Roche Korea)
Bupropion HCl - Wellbutrin SR tablets (GlaxoSmithKline Korea)

You may bring your supply from the US provided that you declare them at the customs with your doctor's prescription and statement of medical opinion.

However, you don't 'transfer' your prescription from another country, your doctor's US medical license is not recognized within South Korean jurisdiction. You just visit local doctors of respective specialty, get yourself diagnosed (despite language barrier), and get your Korean prescription(s). You may show/cite your American doctor's prescriptions and/or opinion to Korean doctors as a point of reference during your visit, but Korean doctors are entitled to their own professional opinion, thus they have no obligation or responsibility of prescribing you the medicines identical to what you've been taking.

[MIKESHU]

[crossmr]

As always if you want to know if a drug is available and what it might be called in Korea:
www.druginfo.co.kr

You can type in English names of the main ingredients (like the generic name of a drug), and it will list all the various pills in Korea that contain it. If you find it, you'll know it's probably available here somewhere.

this also works for any OTC stuff you might want from back home.

[mattjw1978]

Hi,

I need to get more of my thyroid medication and was wondering if you can just go to a pharmacy and get it (I was able to the last few years, in another country) or do I have to actually go see a Dr and get a prescription?

The drug is Levothyroxine sodium, so I wouldn't consider it a big deal (but Im new in Korea)

thanks for any advice

[crossmr]

[ironclad80]

klonopin is most definitely available. in korea there are only .5mg tablets. your doctor should understand that you are most likely larger than a korean and give you 0.5 x 2 to compensate.
pretty much everything available in the states/canada/etc is available in korea. however, it might be a weaker form. for example, a topical acne med i take is only available as 0.1% rather than 0.3% like i use in the states.

[Milwaukiedave]

Most likely it will be available. As for declaring medication, no you don't need to. Have the medication in a clearly marked bottle. The only thing customs is looking for is illegal drugs. They are not going to take your prescription away from you.

It will help to have a letter from your doctor in the US saying what medication you are on and how long you have been on it and a diagnoses. I would strongly suggest finding someone outside work to go with you to find a doctor. If you tell your employer, plan on being fired.