Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sistersarah]

I can't sleep in cars, buses, trains, planes....anything that moves.
I'm going to Canada for a visit and I want to get some sleep on my way there for a change.

Has anyone picked up any sleeping pills at the pharmacies here in Korea? I know they sell sleeping pills but I was just wondering if anyone has any specific recommendations or advice on what to stay away from. Thanks.

[Harpeau]

Pop some Melatonine. It's the bomb!!

[jjurabong]

They sell sleeping pills here called azol - pronounced "ajol" and another one called aron. Some pharmacies will say a prescription is required, but most will just give them to you - they are non-addictive. ( I used to live in a super noisy neighbourhood and am a very light sleeper.)

Be aware though - I have tried taking them on planes, as I'm just like you - can't sleep sitting up and am a fearful flyer to boot. They didn't knock me out like they did when I was in bed, and just ended up making me feel out of it, and uncomfortable.

They are cheap, so I recommend trying some before you get on the plane, to make sure they don't have a bad reaction for you.

A business student of mine, who flies long-haul regularly, swears by Ambien, which is a prescription drug. You may want to do some research on that as well.

Hope this helps.

[tzechuk]

Do they still sell stugeron?

When I was little, I used to take those - until I got used to flying (4 round trips a year does that to you) and they would knock me out - definitely madem e drowsy enough to sleep.

I know it's a motion sickness tablet but I think it's a little less harmful than sleeping pills.

[Wangja]

I'm an old dog at flying long-haul. It gets no better with each passing year; in truth, it gets worse. Seat pitch reduces, service is worse, paying for beer, food is always carp ... etc etc.

Anyway: I use Melatonin and have for years. It works.

If you want to be really sure, take a 5mg Valium on boarding the plane too. Then one Melatonin with the first beer, meal, sleep 5/6 hours, water, one more melatonin, sleep till landing.

[Ekuboko]

Do you need a prescription for Melatonin in Korea, or is it sold over the counter? How much is it?

[JLarter]

If you're on an airline that gives free drinks e.g. BA. I've always found drinking beer at 39,000 feet tends to send me off!!!

[pocariboy73]

Melatonin does nothing for me. Been there, done that. Go to the doctor and get a presciption for the strongest pill available. I find that's the only way I can get sleep. The other pills are just gonna make you feel drowsy and uncomfortable. Just my opinion...

[Wangja]

[Wangja]

[tzechuk]

And I bet they charged the earth for it, too???

[Wangja]

[khyber]

what I would suggest is spending a bit of extra money and DON'T go on air canada.
When I took singapore airlines back home (with the built in tvs) and good service, the trip was a freakin' breeze. On air canada the time seemed to ddeeeeerrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggg. I'll tell you, a decent airline made a big difference to me.

Also, the sleeping pills (that i took on AC) helped.

I think it was the "ajol". I had two beer about an hr after takeoff and popped the pill inbetween the pounding. I slept for 5hours...even through a meal (unHEARDof for me). Woke up with the glaciers beneath me. Things seem to go much quicker for me over land.

[sistersarah]

thanks for the advice everyone. i'm feeling good about knocking myself out on the plane. i'm connecting three times, so i'm really gonna have to get some sleep on the long flight from narita to vancouver. i'm glad to hear there are a lot of options over-the-counter.

[Harpeau]

BTW, is Melatonine still illegal in Canada? Just wondering. I'm heading to Toronto on Monday via Hong Kong and Anchorage via Cathay Pacific. They are the bomb!! I'll be popping some Melatonine myself.