Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yes]

Hi! Can anyone tell me how easy it is to get antidepressants (zoloft, effexor, etc) in South Korea?

Thanks!

[Boodleheimer]

i got a year's supply in china before i left just to avoid seeing a korean shrinks. nothing against korean, i just don't like having to explain my situation.

you could try an offshore pharmacy place if you want to avoid the shrink-route. or you could have a fun weekend in Beijing and pick some up there!

[Lizara]

Pretty easy if you go to the International Clinic in Itaewon. I get a month's worth of those and some anti-anxiety pills for about 45000 with insurance. I've heard they're cheaper from other places, though.

[Cerriowen]

I take Zoloft.

100 pills are $110.

You just need to go to a "Stress Clinic", (psychiatrist). I've even had regular doctors prescribe it. Usually they don't keep the pills on hand, you just need to ask the doc to ask a pharmacy to order some. Usually takes less than 24 hours to get the pills.

*WORD TO THE WISE, COMING FROM THE NOT SO WISE*

Don't let anyone you work with know that you take pills. Seriously. They'll blow a gasket. Any notions you have about non-discrimination, or that it's just a "minor problem" you need to leave in your home country. It doesn't matter how "westernized" you think your boss is. You can take the Korean out of Korea, but you can't take Korea out of the Korean.

But on a good note though, they also keep a "don't ask don't tell" policy with most things. They don't want to know.

[jajdude]

I just walk into any "Nae gwa" (internal medicine clinic - they are everywhere) and the doctor writes it up. With the insurance card it costs just 3000 won for the visit, or 11,100 won without. Some pharmacies outside Seoul, or even smaller ones in Seoul, may not have the medicine you want. Most could get it in a day.

Yeah, no need to tell anyone, it's your own business.

[Yes]

thank you everybody, really helpful. i'll be coming to seoul in early october. will check into all of these options....

k