It's fine if you don't know the product name. Whether you need Korean cold medicine or something else, OFF drugstore Myeongdong divides its shelves into sections by situation. There are 7 sections, so you can choose what fits your needs: Fever & Pain, Cold & Allergy, Muscle Pain & Patches, Wounds & Scars, Skin Problems, Women's Health, and Hair Loss & Scalp.
Shelf price labels show the product name and what symptoms it is for, in 4 languages: Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Right at the shelf, you can compare whether a product is a fever and pain reliever or a cold medicine, and whether it lasts longer or works faster.
Fever & Pain and Cold & Allergy sections
The Fever & Pain and Cold & Allergy sections are the ones travelers look for most. Tablets, powders, and syrups are grouped in one section, and packs with different tablet counts sit side by side. You will also find Korean cough medicine here, along with remedies for a runny nose and night-time colds.
Looking for patches and ointments
The muscle pain section keeps Korean pain relief patches and anti-inflammatory creams side by side. Ointments for wounds and skin repair, and scar care products, are in the very next section, Wounds & Scars. Patches and creams are kept apart, so choose the type you usually use.
Women's Health section
The Women's Health section has period pain relievers and probiotics for women. Products that need a prescription are mixed with ones that don't, so asking staff or a pharmacist is faster.
Looking for vitamins or cosmetics
These sections focus on everyday medicines. Find vitamins and nutritional supplements in the Supplements section, and skincare and dermocosmetics in the K-beauty section. The full section layout is on the Products page.
Even for the same symptoms, the right choice depends on your age and the medicines you take. If you are unsure, asking the in-store pharmacist is the fastest way. Some products have different rules in each country, so also check the rules for taking medicines out of Korea.