Korean Job Discussion Forums

[calgarykyle]

Hi All -

I'm returning to Korea after a few years away and I have a major concern about medication.

I'm Canadian and I take zopiclone/Lunesta/Immovane and have done for years. When last in Korea, this pill was not available and they gave me Ambien/Stillnox/zolpiderm instead. Unfortunately, I developed an allergic reaction to it and had to return to Canada as a result. This was 4 years ago.

Wondering if anybody knows if there are any alternatives to Stillnox/Ambien/zolpiderm in Korea now. Doesn't have to be zopiclone but if there are other sleeping pills available other than Stillnox, kindly let me know.

Also, if I can't find an alternative to Stilnox, I'm wondering if it's possible to import zopiclone into Korea from an online pharmacy. I know Korea used to be quite strict about this type of thing but I'm wondeirng if the laws have relaxed at all.

Anybody order sleeping pills online and import them successfully into Korea?

Thank you!

[Lucas]

Are you overweight?

[calgarykyle]

A little bit, but not seriously so. Why? What impact do you think that has?

[Lucas]

[nbbboby]

[Lucas]

[calgarykyle]

I'm well past that point Lucas but thank you. I've been hooked on sleeping pills for 5 years. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

But it is what it is. What about a Canadian online pharmacy being allowed to order into Korea? Anybody know anything about that?

[Drew345]

Iherb ships celestial seasoning sleepy time tea here.
Seriously though, Iherb is worth looking into, and they ship to Korea.
(Seriously too, try tea)
Best of luck!

[Weigookin74]

I'd suggest not asking on an ESL website. You may want to contact Korean customs to see if it's legal to import that drug into Korea. Then, get your family to pick it up at the drug store and ship it over to you. Unless you can somehow contact the Korean medical association and see if they licence that drug for use in Korea. You'd prob have to get a Korean in Canada to search the web and track these folks down and email or call on your behalf to see what's what. None of us are going to know. I sometimes take these http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tylenol-PM-Simply-Sleep-Nighttime-Sleep-Aid-Caplets-25mg-100-count/10294219 or the wal mart brand equivilent -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Nighttime-Mini-Caplets-Sleep-Aid-100-Ct/12444652?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=OURBBaRQzs8GgV7RxTWzSo&category=&client_guid=29079a5d-7d14-4abf-8c2d-d8fad370aa8d&customer_id_enc=&config_id=2&parent_item_id=10294219&guid=20d8ab90-a02d-40ff-b52a-1039499e3b56&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.0&findingMethod=p13n But, I don't think you can buy them here. I pick up a pack when I'm Stateside (as they weren't sold in Canada either) or ocassionally get my US relatives to ship me a bottle. (Usually the equate brand.) I don't use them very often though. Just on rare ocassion.

[Weigookin74]

Often those bottles say to take two an hour before bed. I take one and feels like in an hour it'll put me to sleep.

[Shimokitazawa]

Walmart does not ship internationally. However, has anyone used Go-Buy for international shipping orders from Walmart and other companies?

http://www.usgobuy.com/en/how-it-works.html

[Stan Rogers]

You don't need drugs to sleep. Stop drinking coffee and just work harder.

If that doesn't work, try soju. It'll knock you out.

[kingplaya4]

The International clinic in Seoul should probably be able to get you anything you get in Canada. Maybe you could email them? Korea's about the worst place in the world to live if you have sleeping problems. The thin walls/floors and the constant vegetable trucks circling aren't conducive to a good sleeping schedule, especially if you work hagwon hours.

If you are taking the pill seven nights a week you might want to think about at least reducing that before coming out here. The only time that is recommended is when someone is suffering from chronic fatigue or an auto-immune syndrome when there is simply no other choice. Try liquid melatonin I believe it's either Natol or Natrol that has a good brand. Also, 100% blue blocker sunglasses a couple of hours before sleep.

[Hokie21]

Korea is still super strict with sleeping aids. I know Melotonin can be found on iHerb.com but I think they will block it if you try to have it shipped into Korea though I'm not positive. IMO you won't be able to get much if anything like you described shipped legally here. My co-worker had his parents mail him some Nyquil and according to him they emptied it out.

If I had to guess I'd say you'll be in the same boat now as you were 4 years ago.

[calgarykyle]

Thanks a lot for the info. Really really appreciate it.

Not sure what I'll do, I was able to get the prescrip for Stillnox (Ambien) last time and the doc says lots of Koreans are hooked on them too. Unsurprising, in a workaholic society.

But ya, as a warning, sleeping pills are very addictive. I've read mixed things re. how bad they are long term. I do know that in Europe they are mainstream and commonly-prescribed and I've had perfect health since I started taking them.

Wonder why they are so taboo to Koreans? Frustrating...