Are you traveling to Japan and have no idea which Japanese medicine to take for headaches, flu, indigestion, hangovers, pains, and other problems? In this article, we will see a guide to Japanese medicines for various problems and situations.
It is worth remembering that many medicines in Japan usually come in packs with many small pills. Generally, it is necessary to take 2 or more pills to equal one pill in Brazil. The best thing is to follow the package insert!
Table of Contents
Kusuri and Yakkyoku – Pharmacy in Japan
Kusuri [薬] means medicines, pharmaceutical products, remedies, and medicinal drugs. Now you know what to ask if you are in a pharmacy.
Pharmacy in Japanese is called Yakkyoku [薬局] and usually offers more than just medicines. Some Japanese pharmacies are large markets with different types of products.
Throughout this article, you will learn the names of some medicines to take care of your health. If you are feeling very unwell, we recommend looking for a: Hospital in Japan.
Curious to know what pharmacies are like in Japan? Watch a video below:
Classification of medicines in Japan
On the packaging of Japanese medicines, you will find the following characters [第○類医薬品] where instead of the circle, there will be a number from 1 to 3. This number is the classification of the medicine where each number means:
Class 1 medicines: Cannot be purchased directly, but are delivered by pharmacists. The medicine is usually strong and has several side effects.
Class 2 medicines: Sold by pharmacists or registered vendors. Although class 2 medicines are not as intense as class 1, be aware of the side effects.
Class 3 medicines: These are regular medicines available at any pharmacy. Pharmacists and registered vendors can answer any questions about this medicine without a prescription.
In some medicines, you will find the ideograms [第[2]類医薬品] – These class 2 medicines should not be taken with other medicines and are not suitable for pregnant women and children.
Japanese medicines for headaches and others
Many people experience headaches due to changes in weather or mental fatigue. The Bufferin [バファリン] is a medicine mainly used for headache symptoms and costs around 1,000 yen.
It also has other different versions, each aimed at a certain type of pain symptom:
- Bufferin A – Standard;
- Buffering Premium – Extreme pain;
- Bufferin Luna – Cramps and other pains;
- Bufferin Kaze EX – Related to colds;
Tylenol [タイレノール] is another medicine used for headaches; it is equivalent to paracetamol. It is generally indicated for fever, flu, toothache, headache, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and back pain.
Another very common medicine for headaches is EVE QUICK, which is composed of ibuprofen. Both Tylenol and EVE and other headache medicines can cost around 1,000 yen.
When we travel to Japan, we may also end up suffering from muscle pain. But in Japan, this is not a problem when you have Vantelin [バンテリン], which can be easily found.
Japanese medicines for flu and colds
In addition to the mentioned bufferin and tylenol that can combat certain types of flu symptoms, there are specific Japanese medicines to solve flu and colds.
Pabron [パブロン] is a medicine that relieves your cold, alleviating symptoms such as cough, throat irritation, and runny nose. This medicine can be found in pill and powder forms costing around 1300 yen.
We also have Lulu Attack EX [ルルアタック EX] that relieves chills, nasal congestion, phlegm, fevers, and sneezing. The medicine Kakkonto [葛根湯] has the same effect but is more commonly used at the beginning of colds.
If you want a medicine that directly combats a symptom, you can look for the following words in the pharmacy:
- 風邪 (kaze) – common cold;
- 喉 (nodo) – throat;
- 咳 (seki) – cough;
- 咳き込む (sekikomu) – violent cough;
- 痰 (tan) – phlegm;
- 鼻づまり (hanazumari) – stuffy nose;
- くしゃみ (kushami) – sneezing;
- さむけ (samuke) – shivering;
- 発熱 (netsu) – fever;
- アレルギー (arerugī) – allergy;
Japanese medicines for sore throat
For sore throat and inflamed throat, we have Loxonin S, which also works against joint pain, sprains, headaches, bruises, pain from broken bones, shoulder pain, neuralgia, muscle pain, and cramps.
But if you have a weak stomach, it is better to look for other medicines because Loxonin S affects the stomach and is more expensive than other pain relievers. You can simply buy cheap medicines like throat lozenges.
Go to a pharmacy and look for nodo [のど/喉], which means throat. You can even find throat lozenges in supermarkets and convenience stores.
Japanese medicines for nausea and indigestion
The Travelmin [トラベルミ] is the medicine indicated to help you with issues of nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. The Travelmin Junior [トラベルミンジュニア] is indicated for children over 5 years old.
However, another medicine that can be used for the same problem is Seirogan [正露丸], which practically has the same effect and relieves your stomach pain and indigestion.
The Seirogan has a very strong smell and taste, which is not very pleasant, meaning not everyone can take this type of medicine.
Fibe Mini is a drink that promises to relieve constipation. Those who have intestinal problems and get constipated easily, whether due to stress or diet, Fibe Mini can provide quick relief in emergencies.
Another medicine that can help with the same problem is Gaster 10, which primarily relieves heartburn and improves stomach function; this medicine comes in liquid, powder, and tablet forms.
Japanese medicines for insect bites
The Kinkan [キンカン] is mostly used for bites from all kinds of insects, body aches in the hips, shoulders, sprains, and bruises. This medicine is a liquid that is applied to the area where the insect bit.
But there is not only Kinkan [キンカン], you can also find Muhi [ムヒ]. This medicine can be used for frostbite, dermatitis, rashes, inflammations, eczema, and hives.
This medicine comes in tubes or roll-ons, which are applied to the desired areas where the insect bites occurred. You can also opt for repellents and other creams mentioned in the article about insects in Japan.
Japanese medicines for hangovers
The heparize [ヘパリーゼ] will help you get through a hangover; this miraculous medicine will help you regain strength the next day after a night out at an izakaya or a party.
The Mikata [ノ·ミカタ] is a medicine that, when taken, can prevent hangover symptoms; you can take it before drinking alcoholic beverages or during, even after drinking. We also recommend Ukon No Chikara [ウコンの力].
These medicines can also be found in convenience stores in a drink version in a small glass bottle. Some can be dissolved in water. If you are looking for another medicine, search for the word futsukayoi [二日酔い].
Japanese feminine medicines
Ninokyua is used for dry skin, red bumps, itching, irritated skin, and other symptoms for those with sensitive skin. These symptoms can be found on the arms and legs and cause discomfort.
The Chocola BB helps with hormonal issues that can be common, especially in women. The Chocola BB are tablets that contain vitamins and combat acne and even canker sores from the inside out.
Bo-koren helps relieve the typical pain of urinary tract infections, reduces that feeling of needing to go to the bathroom, and helps eliminate the bacteria that cause the infection.
Meditorito is quite popular in Japan for vaginal infections [kanjida chitsuen]. Many women use before going to the doctor for symptom relief. It comes in ointment, spray, or tablet forms.
Vocabulary to find your medicine in Japan
To conclude the article, I will leave a list of words that are symptoms, and you can look for them in medicines or ask a pharmacist or registered seller.
I hope you enjoyed the article; if you did, please share and leave your comments.
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| common cold | かぜ／風邪 | kaze |
| acne | ニキビ | nikibi |
| pressure point adhesive | つぼ用シール | tsuboyō shīru |
| allergy | アレルギー | arerugī |
| antihistamine | 抗ヒスタミン剤 | kōhisutaminzai |
| burning, stinging | ヒリヒリ | hiri-hiri |
| Job’s tears extract | はとむぎエキス | hatomugi ekisu |
| asthma | ぜんそく／喘息 | zensoku |
| heartburn, sour stomach | 胸やけ／胸焼け | munayake, muneyake |
| turmeric | ウコン | ukon |
| nutritional drink (energy/vitamins) | 栄養ドリンク | eiyō dorinku |
| bump, pimple | おでき | odeki |
| callus, corn | たこ | tako |
| face | かお | kao |
| carnitine | カルニチン | karunichin |
| poultice | パップ剤 | pappuzai |
| phlegm | たん／痰 | tan |
| scar | 傷あと | kizuato |
| scar, mark | あと | ato |
| itchy eyes | 目のかゆみ | me no kayumi |
| cholesterol | コレステロール | koresuterōru |
| collagen | コラーゲン | korāgen |
| eye drops | 目薬 | megusuri |
| overeating | 食べ過ぎ／食べすぎ／たべすぎ | tabesugi |
| itching | かゆみ | kayumi |
| tablet | 錠劑 | jōzai |
| compress | シップ剤 | shippuzai |
| frostbite | しもやけ／霜焼け | shimoyake |
| excessive consumption | 飲み過ぎ／飲みすぎ／のみすぎ | nomisugi |
| elbow | ひじ | hiji |
| cream | クリーム | kurīmu |
| calcium | カルシウム | karushiumu |
| capsule | カプセル | kapuseru |
| diaper | おむつ | omutsu |
| blue light damage | ブルーライトダメージ | burū raito damēji |
| skin peeling due to dryness | 皮むけ | kawamuke |
| discoloration | シミ | shimi |
| diarrhea | 下痢／げり | geri |
| diet | ダイエット | daietto |
| stomach ache, discomfort | 胃の不快感 | i no fukaikan |
| stomach ache, nausea | むかつき | mukatsuki |
| eczema | しっしん | shisshin |
| bruise | 打ち身 | uchimi |
| packaged | パック | pakku |
| mouthwash | うがい薬 | ugai-gusuri |
| rash | かぶれ | kabure |
| skin rash, acne | 吹き出物 | fukidemono |
| heat rash | あせも | asemo |
| burn, scald | やけど | yakedo |
| sneezing | くしゃみ | kushami |
| steroids | ステロイド | suteroido |
| stomach | おなか | onaka |
| heavy stomach, problematic digestion | 胃もたれ | imotare |
| eye fatigue | 目の疲れ | me no tsukare |
| fever | 発熱／熱 | netsu |
| wound | きず | kizu |
| crack | あかぎれ | akagire |
| tape | テープ剤 | tēpuzai |
| throat | のど／喉 | nodo |
| creamy gel | クリーミィーゲル | kurīmī geru |
| gel | ゼリー | zerī |
| royal jelly | ローヤルゼリー | rōyaru zerī |
| plaster | プラスター剤 | purasutāzai |
| ginkgo | イチョウ | ichō |
| granule | スティック顆粒 | sutikku karyū |
| hydrogen | 水素 | suiso |
| individual | ひび | hibi |
| inflammation, inflammation | ただれ | tadare |
| soy isoflavone | 大豆イソフラボン | daizui isofurabon |
| knee | ひざ | hiza |
| scratching due to dry skin | かきむしる | kakimushiro |
| languor | だるさ | darusa |
| lecithin | レシチン | reshichin |
| contact lenses | コンタクトレンズ／コンタクト／レンズ | kontakuto renzu, kontakuto, renzu |
| calorie limit | カロリミット | karorimitto |
| lotion | ローション | rōshon |
| lutein | ルテイン | rutein |
| powdered medicine | 粉薬 | konagusuri |
| corn on the foot | うおの目／魚の目 | uo no me |
| mineral | ミネラル | mineraru |
| multi-mineral | マルチミネラル | maruchi mineraru |
| multivitamin | マルチビタミン | maruchi bitamin |
| stuffy nose | 鼻づまり／鼻詰まり | hanazumari |
| nausea | 吐き気／はきけ | hakike |
| nausea, gagging | こみ上げる | komiageru |
| dry eyes | ドライアイ | dorai ai |
| dry eyes | 目の渇き／目のかわき | me no kawaki |
| stiff shoulders | 肩こり | katakori |
| dry skin | かさつく | kasatsuku |
| dry and flaky skin | 粉ふき | kofuki |
| rough and cracked skin | 荒れ肌 | arehada |
| hangnail | さかむけ | sakamuke |
| insect bite | 虫刺され／虫さされ | mushi-sasare |
| pigmentation | 黒ずんだ | kurozunda |
| placenta | プラセンタ | purasenta |
| athlete’s foot | 水虫 | mizumushi |
| sunburn, tanning | ひやけ／日焼け | hiyake |
| chitosan | キトサン | kitosan |
| hangover | 二日酔い | futsukayoi |
| neck stiffness | 寝違え | nechigae |
| freckles | そばかす | sobakasu |
| feeling nauseous, queasy | むかむか | mukamuka |
| feeling bloated, gassy | おなかのハリ、おなかのガスだまり | onaka no hari, onaka no gasu-damari |
| feeling dry, rough | ガサガサ | gasa-gasa |
| drowsiness | 眠気 | nemuke |
| spray | スプレー | supurē |
| supplement | サプリメント | sapurimento |
| cough | せき／咳 | seki |
| violent cough | 咳きこむ／咳き込む | sekikomu |
| shivering | さむけ | samuke |
| moisture | うるおい | uruoi |
| redness | 赤み | akami |
| wart | いぼ | ibo |
| blurred vision | 目のかすみ | me no kasumi |
| Vitamin | ビタミン | bitamin |
| zinc | 亜鉛 | a’en |
| hyaluronic acid | ヒアルロン酸 | hiaruronsan |
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