Is my medication available in Japan, if not can I bring in?
We often receive inquiry about the medications below whether you can get them in Japan or bring with you when you come.
OxyContin (oxycodone)
-Available in Japan but not easy to get a prescription except for cancer pains
This pain medication is generally used to control cancer pains in Japan. It has to be a licensed doctor to prescribe oxycodone. It is not easy to locate a doctor who can prescribe this medication at an outpatient clinic. You need to apply for the Narcotic Import Permit to bring this medication with you when you come to Japan.
Concerta
-Available in Japan
This medication is covered by Japanese Health Insurance for the treatment of adult and child ADHD. A registered psychiatrist or a pediatrician who obtained a permission can only prescribe this medication. On the other hand, Ritalin is very difficult to get prescribed. Japanese insurance permits this medication only to be used for Narolepsy treatment. It has to be a registered doctor to prescribe this medication as well.
Currently JHI cannot arrange appointments for patients who wish to continue ADHD treatments of Concerta and Ritalin in Japan because our network doctors are not accepting new patinets.
Adderall
-Not available in Japan
Adderall contains amphetamine, which is a strictly controlled substance in Japan. You cannot bring this medication with you when you come to Japan either.
Prozac
-Not available in Japan
You can bring in/import with an import permit. Japan has other brands of SSRIs.
Celexa
-Not available in Japan
You can bring in/import with an import permit. Other kinds of antidepressants are available, like Lexapro.
In Japan, it is important whether the medication is covered by insurance for the specific condition that the insurance regulation permits. For example, Ritalin is used to treat ADHD overseas however the Japanese insurance allows this medication to be used only for Narcolepsy treatment. This means that even a licensed doctor cannot prescribe Ritalin when a patient wants to use it to treat ADHD but does not have Narcolepsy.
Please note the availability of medication and the requisite condition of permit may change without notice according to the law in Japan.