Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rach123]

I will be leaving in about a month or two for a position in Seoul. I know this topic has been explored before, but I don't see any recent discussions. I currently take citalopram and seroquel. I'm nervous that these meds will show up in the drug test. Should I get a test done here to see if they do? Another option is to stop taking them for a week before the test, though that is my last resort. Anyone have experience taking these meds and working in Korea?

Can anyone recommend someone who can write prescriptions? I see there is a helpful thread on that, but it's a little old.

[le-paul]

first of all, I could be wrong but im pretty sure that the drugs test that they do here are for specific substances - ie heroin, cheeba etc.

Usually, if you want to do a blood test you usually have to request what it is your looking for, unless its high levels of protiens which would show up automatically.

secondly,
If youve been taking citalopram and seroquel for a while, the toxicity will have built up over a long period as these kinds of medication have a short half life. If you stop and re-start, it will take a while for them to be effective again ( i cant remember the exact times - but you should check with your GP or whoever moniotrs the side effects for you). But it seems as if youre aware of this anyway if you dont want to stop.

Finally, as far as I know despite predjudices here - even if they did find out at immigration or whatever - I very much doubt they would refuse a visa based on the fact that youre found to be taking medication. Many foreigners here take medication for all kinds of things I know that doctors do prescribe to foreign workers.

The only thing that I would worry about if I were you is that you cant get the same medication here as a new type may not work as well for you.
You should ask to see if its possible to get the same prescription here.

Its not just a case of getting someone to write a prescription - its monitoring the side effects too becasue really - as Im sure you know (so Im not trying to sound patronising)- anti depressants are supposed to be used for the short term, a year or 2 at the most and a doctor should be talking about them with you regularly to see when its time to come off them and watching for side effects - thats why they are prescription drugs and not available in the pharmacy.

[rach123]

Thank you, le-paul. Very helpful post. I am working with a dr. and meet with her regularly regarding my meds. I've not been on them quite a year yet and they seem to be working fine... I wouldn't want to stop yet. I've tried to do some research on getting the same meds in Korea without luck so far. Is there any way I can contact a Korean pharmacy or doctor via e-mail? If anyone has any specific contacts, I'd appreciate it!!

[le-paul]

ill go to the pharmacy later today and let you know. If you need anymore advice, PM me. I was a CPN before coming out here so i know a bit about his kind of thing.
cheers

[DosEquisXX]

[le-paul]

like i say, I could be wrong but they would probably only screen for specific substances and the HIV virus. The only way to know for sure is ask at a/the hospital.
By the way, I went to 2 pharmacies this morning on my way to work. They say they dont stock/sell citalopram or seroquel. There was a drug rep. there too.
Anyway, like most things in korea, it always helps to get a second, third, fourth... opinion but at least you know theres a possiblity you cant get your medication here so you can decide whats the best step in that case.

sorry that hasnt been very helpful.

[rach123]

My current pharmacist in the states gave me the number to some poison drug info. center and the woman I spoke with said she was actually meeting with a Korean drug rep. in a few hours. She called me back and he said these two drugs (citalopram and seroquel) are available in S. Korea. So I guess it's a matter of finding a pharmacy that stocks them.? Do you know if a prescription from an American dr. is valid at a Korean pharmacy?

ps. Thanks for asking around!

[le-paul]

I dont know what the formal procedure would be but i think it might be a good idea to bring a long a letter from your current GP as some kind of recommendation/medical history.
Because usually, if you moved to a new area at home, you'd apply at a new doctors office and then they request your notes/medical history etc. before prescribing (They seem a bit slap happy here to me to be honest. Ive been a bit horrified at times at the medical procedures they use sometimes. I usually tell the doctor exactly what I want and they give me it after doing a check) Anway, obviously you cant move your notes/history here, so you need to do the next best thing really (same for any medical condidtion) to try to get the same prescription/treatment here.
So im not sure what your doctor would give you? but the more the better, prescription included.
Im glad you can get the meds you need, it should make things a lot easier - and if its possible to get them here, they should just have to order them in from outside.
but really, I wouldnt worry too much, things always have a way of falling into gaps...
bon chance!

[Harpeau]

Try Dr. Kim at the Itaewon International Clinic.
In addition, I would not recommend you suddenly going off of any SSRIs as it can have detrimental side effects.
www.harpo.ca
Best of luck to you.

[recessiontime]

im pretty sure they have the same drug in Korea just maybe under a different name.

Just be careful about being too honest and telling the hospital people in Korea about your depression as this information gets funneled to your school and Ive heard of people getting fired over it. I've also heard about doctors actually calling up the school about these private matters too, which is clear grounds for litigation.

[Milwaukiedave]

Finding a pharmacy that stocks them probably won't be a problem. You need to find a doctor which you can go to monthly. The Itaewon International Clinic would be a good bet as Harpeau suggested.

Most importantly don't tell anyone here about your medical condition.

[le-paul]

[rach123]

Thanks for all the tips! Greatly appreciated.

[ironclad80]

they have everything you get back home here, it just might have a different name. also some meds come only weaker doses, so my doctor doubles the pills.

don't stop taking them, i tried that and a day or two before the test i had my first panic attack in 8 years. meds work for a reason!

[rach123]

I just want to make certain from another source that my medications will be available in S. Korea - citalopram and seroquel. Does anyone have an e-mail address of a pharmacist or MD that could tell me for sure? I've sent an e-mail to one of the international clinics and hopefully will hear back from them.

Also, are medications pretty cheap there? How much can I expect to pay without using insurance (I don't want the school to find out)?

le-paul - I can't pm yet, so if you have any more specific info for me and prefer to pm me, then i can correspond with you.