In Korea, for whom are drug instructions intended? The more you examine them, the more confused you become. Take an example of the most frequently used painkiller, acetaminophen. Its initial warning stipulates that individuals who routinely consume more than three alcoholic drinks a day should seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist before using this or any other fever-reducing painkiller.

Just as you're on the verge of assuming, "This is a guide for consumers," there comes a second warning. In very rare instances, it states that severe skin reactions like acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported, and these can be fatal, necessitating full patient awareness. It's laden with jargon. If I were to write a newspaper column frequently with this kind of jargon, I'd probably lose many readers. Among users of these painkillers, few grasp the specific details of these three skin reactions. Indeed, the second warning is directed at doctors and pharmacists.

This serious caution has been in place since 2018. It's a positive safety measure that these warnings have been included in medication instructions. Understanding a rare but severe side effect enables individuals to cease taking the medication immediately and consult with their doctor or pharmacist regarding further steps if they happen to experience it, as long as they know what the matching symptoms are. 

Regrettably, in Korea, drug instructions lack user-friendly descriptions of side effect symptoms; instead, they often employ technical terms. Blood-related side effects encompass thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia, accompanied by three more intricate terms. If any of these symptoms manifest, the directive is to discontinue the medication and seek advice from your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist. However, discerning low platelet or granulocyte levels without a blood test poses a challenge even for healthcare professionals.

This elaborate explanation serves a purpose. The drug instructions tell you to carry them to your appointment for medical consultation. It's evident that this document is tailored for healthcare professionals rather than consumers, given its detailed guidance, including medical treatment instructions in case of an overdose. The caution to read the instructions carefully before use is, in reality, directed more towards professionals than consumers.

Decades ago, in the absence of internet access and limited reference materials, consumers might have relied on professional manuals when visiting a doctor or pharmacy for appropriate treatment. However, this is no longer the case today. Detailing the jargon associated with serious skin reactions seems futile. A straightforward warning to discontinue the medication and consult a doctor or pharmacist upon the development of redness, blisters, or rashes would suffice. It's time to move away from complex instructions that discourage drug users from reading them.

Jeong Jae-hoon is a food writer and pharmacist. He covers a variety of subjects, including trends in food, wellness and medications. This column was originally published in Korean in Joongang Ilbo on Dec. 7, 2023. – Ed.