What medicines can I buy without a prescription at Korean pharmacies?

Korean pharmacies (약국) are everywhere and most basic over-the-counter medicines are easy to grab without a prescription. Pain relievers like Tylenol (타이레놀), ibuprofen branded as Burpen (부루펜), and aspirin are all available, along with cold remedies like Pancold (판콜에이), Theraflu equivalent Tymal (티마졸), and the famous green Pyongyang Pharmacy bottle Bagas (바카스) energy tonic. Antacids, motion sickness pills, antihistamines like Zyrtec (지르텍), and basic eye drops like Visine (비전) are all OTC.

Korea has a unique system though. Some drugs that are OTC in Western countries (like certain antibiotics or strong pain meds) require prescriptions here, while others sold only in 24-hour convenience stores like CU and GS25 form a small Safety Convenience Drug list (편의점 안전상비의약품) covering 13 essentials including children's Tylenol syrup, digestive aids like Bekapase (베아제), and cold patches. Pharmacies close around 9-10pm and most are shut on Sundays, so the convenience store option is a lifesaver at night. To ask for something specific, the Pharmist app shows English-named medicines at nearby pharmacies, or just bring a photo or Korean name and pharmacists in Itaewon, Hongdae, and Gangnam often speak basic English.