베나치오액, 프로 and 이지액: Comparing 3 Korean Digestive Medicines

Hello, I'm the Dad Pharmacist at Suwon Star Pharmacy (참약사). Some of you may have wondered, "Why are there so many types of that digestive medicine you take when you have an upset stomach these days?"

베나치오, the liquid digestive medicine that first comes to mind, is now split into three lines — 액 (Liquid), 프로 (Pro), and 이지 (Easy). The names are only slightly different, so it's easy to get confused about which one to choose.

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1. Side-by-Side Ingredient Comparison of 베나치오액·프로·이지

2. What Exactly Is Different Among the Three Products?

3. Which One Is Right for Me?

4. Key Points to Keep in Mind When Taking These Products

5. Frequently Asked Questions at the Pharmacy

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All three products are over-the-counter medicines sold (supplied) by Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. They share the common feature of being liquid digestive medicines that contain herbal ingredients such as licorice root (감초), tangerine peel (진피), dried ginger (건강), cinnamon bark (육계), atractylodes rhizome (창출), and fennel (회향) as their base.

The three products are distinguished by which additional herbal ingredients are included and what the amounts are.

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The ingredient amounts below are organized based on a single adult dose (1 dose = 1 bottle or 1 sachet) for each product.

베나치오액 is the most basic formulation. It is composed of herbal ingredients with L-menthol included as an active ingredient.

베나치오프로액 contains 330mg of licorice root, which is more than the 167mg in 베나치오액, and also includes hawthorn fruit (산사) and ursodeoxycholic acid. Its approved indications include 'promotion of digestion' (소화촉진) in South Korea.

베나치오이지액 is a somewhat different type. It contains catechu (아선약) and smoked plum (오매), and its range of approved indications is broader, covering intestinal regulation, constipation, loose stools, and abnormal intestinal fermentation.

It is formulated with people in mind who experience not only digestive discomfort but also bowel and intestinal problems.

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All three share the same broad approved indications of relieving indigestion, upset stomach, and nausea. So the distinctions below should be seen not as 'which one is stronger' but as differences in ingredient composition and the range of symptoms each is aimed at.

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프로액 has a larger bottle volume of 75mL, and adults drink one full bottle per 1 dose, so the amount consumed differs from 액. 이지액 is the only one available in a 1-dose 20mL sachet (pouch) format, making it convenient to carry and easy to open and drink right away.

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Packaging sizes also differ. 베나치오액 comes 5 bottles per box and is not sold as individual bottles. 프로액 comes 10 bottles per 1 box, but individual bottles can be purchased. 이지액 comes in 6 sachets per 1 box, making it easy to take only as many as you need.

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Because the three products share overlapping approved digestive relief indications, the distinctions below are not about which is more effective, but about differences in ingredient composition and convenience of use. As a personal reference opinion, if you were to draw a line between them, here is how you might think about it.

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● If you are simply looking for relief from digestive discomfort and want a familiar, basic formulation, 베나치오액 — composed of herbal ingredients with L-menthol as an active ingredient — could be an option.

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● If you want a formulation that also covers promotion of digestion, take a look at 베나치오프로액, which additionally contains hawthorn fruit (산사) and ursodeoxycholic acid and includes promotion of digestion among its approved indications. Individual bottles are also available for purchase.

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● If you have digestive discomfort combined with intestinal problems such as constipation or loose stools, 베나치오이지액, which carries approved indications through to intestinal regulation and constipation relief, may fit your situation. Its sachet format also makes it easy to take along when going out.

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All three products contain licorice root (감초). Long-term use may therefore cause hypokalemia (low blood potassium). If symptoms such as weakness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, or cramps appear, stop use immediately and consult a pharmacist or doctor.

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Please also be sure to follow the prescribed dosage and directions. Taking two bottles at once because digestion is not improving is not recommended. The standard is a dosing interval of 4 hours or more, 3 times per 1 day.

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It is also good to know when to see a doctor if symptoms do not improve. If 액 or 이지액 is taken for about 1 month, or 프로액 for about 2 weeks, without improvement, a different underlying cause should be considered, so please seek medical consultation.

Do not give to infants under 3 months of age. If you are pregnant or taking other medications, it is safest to check with a pharmacist in advance.

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Q. Can I drink two bottles of 베나치오액? The set single-dose amount is 1 bottle (or 1 sachet) per 1 dose for adults. Taking two on your own because you're not feeling better is not recommended. Please follow the schedule of every 4 hours, 3 times per 1 day.

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Q. Can I take it together with a headache medicine (painkiller)? If you are taking any other medications, it is safest to tell the pharmacist what they are and have them check for you.

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Q. Can I take it before drinking alcohol? This digestive medicine is intended for indigestion and overeating, and it has not been approved for use as a precaution against alcohol consumption (South Korea approval). Please use it as intended — only when you have symptoms.

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Q. Are there any side effects? Rarely, hypokalemia related to the licorice root ingredient may occur. If you experience symptoms such as weakness or muscle cramps, stop taking it and consult a healthcare professional.

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Since this is a medicine people reach for quickly when they feel bloated or have indigestion, rather than just grabbing a familiar-looking product, you'll get a much better fit if you take a moment to consider whether you just need digestive support, or whether you also have gut trouble on top of it.

Suwon Star Pharmacy is open 365 days a year with no holidays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Even when choosing a single digestive medicine, if you let us know your current symptoms and any medications you are taking, our pharmacist will provide detailed 1-on-1 guidance, including checking for ingredient overlaps.

Feel free to stop by and ask about supplements or health functional foods as well.

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This has been Dad Pharmacist.

This post is intended for general informational purposes only and does not guarantee the efficacy or effectiveness of any specific product, nor does it promise the diagnosis or treatment of any disease. Appropriate usage may vary depending on an individual's health condition and medications being taken, so please be sure to consult a pharmacist or physician before use.