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.
Note: At present, JHI is unable to arrange appointments for patients who wish to continue ADHD treatment with Concerta or Ritalin in Japan. Regulations governing the prescription of these medications have become increasingly strict, and it can be difficult for new patients to obtain prescriptions, even if they have previously been receiving treatment overseas.
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 (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion)
-Not available in Japan
You can bring in/import with an import permit. Japan has other brands of SSRIs.
Please ask your regular doctor about recommended alternative medications and then contact us. We can check whether the recommended medication is available in Japan.
We do not publish a fixed list of available medications because availability can change unexpectedly.
In Japan, it is also important to consider whether a medication is approved and covered by the Japanese health insurance system for the specific condition being treated. The permitted use of a medication in Japan may be different from its use in other countries.
For example, Ritalin (methylphenidate) may be used to treat ADHD in some countries, while in Japan its approved indications are more limited. Japanese regulations and insurance coverage determine when a doctor can prescribe a medication. Therefore, a medication that is commonly prescribed for a particular condition overseas may not be available for the same purpose in Japan.
If you are currently taking medication overseas, we recommend discussing alternative treatment options with your regular doctor before coming to Japan.
Please note the availability of medication and the requisite condition of permit may change without notice according to the law in Japan.