Taking medicine safely
Medicine works and stays safe only when taken as directed. Taking more does not speed up recovery.
Basic rules
- Keep to the dose and frequency. Do not increase it yourself if you feel no better.
- Finish the course. Antibiotics especially must be finished even if you feel better.
- Do not take someone else's medicine. The same symptom can have a different cause.
- Do not take it with alcohol.
- Avoid duplication. Show the pharmacist before combining medicines from different hospitals.
- Check the expiry date.
Be extra careful if
- You are pregnant or planning pregnancy — always say so
- You are breastfeeding
- You have liver or kidney problems
- You drive or operate machinery — check for drowsiness
- Never split adult medicine for a child
Steps
- Read the instructions on the packet.
- Set fixed times. An alarm helps.
- Stop immediately if you react badly and tell the pharmacist or doctor. Hives, breathlessness or facial swelling are emergencies — 119.
- Return leftover medicine to the pharmacy's disposal box.
Where to go
- A nearby pharmacy (medication advice)
- 1339 KDCA
- 119 suspected allergic shock or poisoning
- Ministry of Food and Drug Safety www.mfds.go.kr
Questions people ask
I got hives after taking it. Stop immediately and tell the pharmacist or doctor. Breathlessness or a swollen face means 119.
I missed a dose — can I take double? No. Take the normal dose at the next time.
Can I use leftover medicine later? It is risky even if the symptom looks the same. Never with antibiotics.
How do I dispose of medicine? Do not put it in the bin — use the pharmacy's disposal box for unused medicine.
Take care
Diet pills and tonics sold on social media are dangerous. They can contain banned substances that harm your health and can also make you liable to punishment.
Related
pharmacy-use · otc-medicine · how-to-see-doctor
Source
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety www.mfds.go.kr / As of 2026-08