Medicines

Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) is one of the most widely used medicines globally for pain relief and fever reduction. Understanding its appropriate use and important precautions can help you use it safely under medical guidance.

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, reduce fever, and decrease inflammation. It is available over the counter in Korea under brand names including Brufen and Advil.

Metformin is the most widely prescribed first-line medication for type 2 diabetes worldwide. It lowers blood glucose levels primarily by reducing the amount of sugar the liver releases into the bloodstream.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces stomach acid production. It is used to treat acid reflux (GERD), stomach ulcers, and conditions of excessive stomach acid.

Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and hives. It is one of the most commonly used allergy medicines in Korea.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is one of the oldest and most versatile medicines — used for pain, fever, and as a cornerstone of cardiovascular prevention therapy.

Atorvastatin is the most prescribed statin globally — proven to reduce heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in high-risk patients by lowering LDL ('bad') cholesterol.

Amlodipine is one of the most prescribed blood pressure medications worldwide — effective, once-daily dosing, and well-tolerated by most patients.

Salbutamol is the blue reliever inhaler used during asthma attacks and for quick relief of wheeze and breathlessness. Correct technique maximises its effectiveness.

Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic effective against many bacterial infections. Understanding when it's needed — and when it isn't — helps preserve its effectiveness.

Metformin has been the cornerstone of type 2 diabetes management for over 60 years — effective, safe, inexpensive, and with proven cardiovascular benefits beyond just lowering blood sugar.

Levothyroxine is the standard treatment for an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) — replacing the hormone the thyroid cannot make sufficiently. Correct dosing and timing maximises effectiveness.

Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) — among the most prescribed and best-tolerated antidepressants for depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD.

Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in Korea — driven by an indoor office culture, sun-avoidance beauty norms, and long winters with limited sunlight. Testing and supplementation are simple and effective.

Folic acid (vitamin B9) prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida when taken before and during early pregnancy. All women who could become pregnant should take it daily.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) — one of the most prescribed medicines globally for heartburn, acid reflux, peptic ulcers, and stomach protection with NSAIDs.

Ibuprofen is an effective NSAID for pain, inflammation, and fever — but it carries real risks for the stomach and kidneys, especially in dehydrated individuals during Korea's hot, humid summers.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the world's most widely used pain reliever — safe and effective at correct doses, but liver-damaging in overdose. Knowing the limits protects your health.

Prednisolone is a versatile corticosteroid used for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions — highly effective but requiring careful use, monitoring, and tapering to avoid side effects.

Azithromycin (sold as Zithromax or Z-Pack) is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in Korea for treating chest infections, throat infections, sinusitis, and chlamydia.