MEDICINE FINDER

Know what is in the box.

Japanese over-the-counter medicines, explained from the label, with the brands you know from home.

Look up Japanese over-the-counter medicines by name, ingredient or the brand you use at home.

This shows what each box’s label says: active ingredients, the label’s own uses and the sales class. It does not tell you what to take. Show the box to the pharmacist and ask before you buy, especially if you take other medicines, are pregnant or are buying for a child. Care Compass Japan provides navigational guidance, not medical diagnosis or treatment advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare professional or visit an accredited hospital/clinic.

Where to buy near you

Shows the closest pharmacies and drugstores and the nearest convenience stores. Most medicines are sold at drugstores and pharmacies; convenience stores mainly carry quasi-drugs and only some sell Class 2 or 3 medicines. Stock varies, so check in the store. Opening hours come from Google Maps. Your location is sent only to Google to look up stores.

2 Japanese products

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Kids Bufferin Syrup S

キッズバファリンシロップS

Class 2ChildrenColdsyrup

Made by Lion

Active ingredients

Acetaminophen (paracetamol), 300 mg per 60 mL アセトアミノフェン
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, 25 mg per 60 mL ジフェンヒドラミン塩酸塩

Label says it is for: Children's cold symptoms: fever, chills, headache, runny/stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat

Caffeine-free and codeine-free by design (label selling point)
Strawberry flavour with a child-proof safety cap: dosing is by mL with the included cup, not by spoon

Where to buy: Drugstores and pharmacies, and other shops, such as some convenience stores, while a pharmacist or registered seller (登録販売者) is on duty.

Kids Bufferin Cold Syrup S

キッズバファリンかぜシロップS

Designated Class 2ChildrenColdsyrup

Made by Lion

Active ingredients

Acetaminophen (paracetamol), 300 mg per 60 mL アセトアミノフェン
Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, 16 mg per 60 mL デキストロメトルファン臭化水素酸塩水和物
dl-Methylephedrine hydrochloride, 20 mg per 60 mL dl-メチルエフェドリン塩酸塩
Guaifenesin, 80 mg per 60 mL グアイフェネシン
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, 25 mg per 60 mL ジフェンヒドラミン塩酸塩

Label says it is for: Children's cold symptoms incl. cough and phlegm

The 'Cold' version adds cough/phlegm actives to the fever syrup: the two boxes look near-identical; check for かぜ in the name

Where to buy: Drugstores and pharmacies, and other shops, such as some convenience stores, while a pharmacist or registered seller (登録販売者) is on duty.

Contains an ingredient on MHLW’s abuse-prevention list. Staff will ask about other purchases, and buyers under the set age can buy one small pack, in person or by video call. MHLW rules