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.

1 Japanese products

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PR · Rakuten Ichiba, サンドラッグe-shop

Salonpas Ae

サロンパスAe

Class 3Skin and topicalpatch (plaster)

Made by Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical

Active ingredients

Methyl salicylate, 6.29 g per 100 g of plaster サリチル酸メチル
l-Menthol, 5.71 g per 100 g l-メントール
Tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), 2.00 g per 100 g ビタミンE酢酸エステル
dl-Camphor, 1.24 g per 100 g dl-カンフル

Label says it is for: Stiff shoulders, back pain, muscle pain/fatigue, bruises, sprains, joint pain, chilblains

JP Salonpas Ae has NO diclofenac and different strengths from the US Salonpas patch (US: methyl salicylate 10% / menthol 3%): never copy US numbers onto the JP box

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.