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Caught a cold in Japan this winter? The drugstore is often the first stop, but the boxes are in Japanese, there are dozens of brands, and since May 2026 some cold medicines are kept behind the counter.
This guide explains the main types, how to read the box, and what 7 widely sold products contain, with their Japanese names and prices on 5 November 2026. If you want a general guide to Japanese medicine first, read our Japanese drugstore OTC medicine guide.
We did not test these products, and there is no ranking. All facts come from the makers’ pages and package inserts (添付文書), the PMDA medicine database and official Japanese pages. Always follow the label and ask the pharmacist or registered seller before you buy.
📌 What you will learn
In a hurry? Japanese drugstores sell multi-symptom cold medicine (総合かぜ薬), fever and pain relievers (解熱鎮痛薬) and kampo herbal medicine such as 葛根湯. Check three things on the box: the age limit, the driving warning and the other medicines you must not take with it. Never take two cold medicines together. Follow the label and ask the pharmacist (薬剤師) or registered seller (登録販売者).
- How cold medicine is sold in Japan
- How to read the box
- 4 multi-symptom cold medicines
- Fever relievers and a kampo option
- When to see a doctor, and tax-free
- Frequently asked questions
- The short version
※ Prices include tax and were checked on 5 November 2026: makers’ suggested prices (メーカー希望小売価格), 価格.com (kakaku.com) lowest prices and large drugstores’ online shops. Shop prices are often lower than the maker’s price. This is not medical advice.
How cold medicine is sold in Japan
Every OTC medicine box (一般用医薬品) shows its risk class (リスク区分). Most cold medicines and fever relievers are class 2 or “designated class 2”.
| Class on the box | Who can sell it | What the shop must do |
|---|---|---|
| 要指導医薬品 (guidance required) | Pharmacist only | Guidance in person; one package per buyer |
| 第1類医薬品 (class 1) | Pharmacist only | Written explanation by the pharmacist |
| 指定第2類医薬品 (designated class 2; also printed 第②類 or 第「２」類) | Pharmacist or registered seller | Ask buyers to read the cautions and talk to an expert |
| 第2類医薬品 (class 2) | Pharmacist or registered seller | Try to explain correct use |
| 第3類医薬品 (class 3) | Pharmacist or registered seller | Explain if the buyer asks |
※ From Sakai City’s official page on risk classes (updated 1 May 2026). Some medicines cannot be sold when no pharmacist is in the shop.
The May 2026 rule: some cold medicines are behind the counter
Since 1 May 2026, medicines with any of eight ingredients are “designated abuse-prevention medicines” (指定濫用防止医薬品). Many cold medicines contain them, such as ジヒドロコデイン (dihydrocodeine), メチルエフェドリン (methylephedrine) and デキストロメトルファン (dextromethorphan).
- The shop keeps them out of your reach, for example behind the counter or in a locked case.
- The pharmacist or registered seller asks your age, what other medicine you take and whether you bought it elsewhere. They may ask for ID if your age is unclear.
- If you are under 18, you can buy only one small pack. If you are 18 or over and want more than one box, staff will ask why.
This is normal. Our OTC medicine guide explains the rule in more detail.
How to read the box
Find the type of medicine, then check the age table and the cautions (使用上の注意). Read the paper insert inside, and keep it.
✅ Japanese words on cold medicine boxes
- 総合かぜ薬 / 総合感冒薬 = multi-symptom cold medicine (fever, throat, nose, cough)
- 解熱鎮痛薬 = fever and pain reliever
- 鎮咳去痰薬 / せき止め = cough and phlegm medicine; 鼻炎薬 = nose (rhinitis) medicine
- 漢方 (kampo) = traditional herbal medicine, for example 葛根湯 (kakkonto)
- 成分 = ingredients; 用法・用量 = how to take it and how much
- 15才未満は服用しないこと = do not take if under 15
- 食後 = after meals; 食前 = before meals; 1日3回 = 3 times a day
- 錠 = tablets; 包 = packets; カプセル = capsules; 微粒 / 顆粒 = granules
- 乗物又は機械類の運転操作をしないでください = do not drive or use machines (it can make you sleepy)
Rules from the package inserts
⚠️ What the inserts say
- Do not take two at once. While you take a cold medicine, do not take another cold medicine, a fever and pain reliever, a sedative, or (for most products) cough or nose medicine with an antihistamine
- No alcohol before or after taking it
- Do not take it for a long time, and do not take more than the label says
- If you feel no better after 5–6 doses, stop and talk to a doctor, pharmacist or registered seller
- Talk to an expert before buying if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly, under a doctor’s care, have had a drug allergy, or have a long-term illness such as heart disease or diabetes
- Products with ibuprofen (イブプロフェン): the inserts say do not take them within 12 weeks of the due date in pregnancy
4 multi-symptom cold medicines (総合かぜ薬)
These four are for several cold symptoms at once, such as fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough and aches. All four are designated class 2, contain ingredients from the May 2026 list, and carry a do-not-drive warning.
1. パブロンゴールドA〈微粒〉 (Taisho Pabron Gold A, fine granules)
Taisho lists it as a family cold medicine (家族のかぜ薬). It comes as granules in packets (微粒) or as tablets (〈錠〉). It is one of the few products here that ages 12–14 may take, at a smaller dose shown on the label. It contains acetaminophen for fever and pain.
| Japanese name | パブロンゴールドA〈微粒〉 |
|---|---|
| Maker | 大正製薬 (Taisho) |
| Risk class | 指定第2類医薬品 |
| Form | Granules, 28 or 44 packets |
| Main ingredients | アセトアミノフェン (acetaminophen), ジヒドロコデイン, dl-メチルエフェドリン, グアイフェネシン, クロルフェニラミン (antihistamine), カフェイン, ビタミンB2 |
| Age (label) | 12 and over; not under 12. 3 times a day after meals |
| Sleepy / driving | Yes – do not drive. No alcohol; not while breastfeeding |
| Price | Maker: ¥2,160 (28 packets), ¥3,177 (44). 価格.com lowest ¥1,738 for 44 (5 Nov 2026) |
2. ルルアタックEX (Daiichi Sankyo Lulu Attack EX)
A tablet cold medicine from Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare’s ルル (Lulu) brand. It combines ibuprofen with tranexamic acid (トラネキサム酸) and a cough and phlegm formula. A granule version (顆粒) is also sold.
| Japanese name | ルルアタックEX |
|---|---|
| Maker | 第一三共ヘルスケア (Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare) |
| Risk class | 指定第2類医薬品 |
| Form | Tablets, 12 / 18 / 24 |
| Main ingredients | イブプロフェン (ibuprofen), トラネキサム酸, ジヒドロコデイン, dl-メチルエフェドリン, ブロムヘキシン, クレマスチン (antihistamine), ビタミンB1・B2 |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only. 3 times a day after meals |
| Sleepy / driving | Yes – do not drive. No alcohol. Not within 12 weeks of the due date |
| Price | Maker: ¥1,320 (12), ¥1,760 (18), ¥2,200 (24) (checked 5 Nov 2026) |
3. エスタックイブ (SS Pharmaceutical Estac Ibu)
From SS Pharmaceutical’s エスタック (Estac) brand. It is an ibuprofen-based cold medicine with vitamin C (アスコルビン酸) and vitamin B1.
| Japanese name | エスタックイブ |
|---|---|
| Maker | エスエス製薬 (SS Pharmaceutical) |
| Risk class | 指定第2類医薬品 (printed 第②類) |
| Form | Sugar-coated tablets, 30 / 45 / 60 |
| Main ingredients | イブプロフェン, ジヒドロコデイン, dl-メチルエフェドリン, クロルフェニラミン (antihistamine), カフェイン, ビタミンB1・C |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only. 3 times a day after meals |
| Sleepy / driving | Yes – do not drive. No alcohol; not while breastfeeding. Not within 12 weeks of the due date |
| Price | Maker: ¥1,408 (30), ¥1,958 (45), ¥2,508 (60) (checked 5 Nov 2026) |
4. ストナアイビージェルEX (Sato Stona IB Gel EX)
From Sato Pharmaceutical’s ストナ (Stona) brand. The capsules hold liquid inside (液体inカプセル). It contains ibuprofen and tranexamic acid, plus cough, phlegm and nose ingredients.
| Japanese name | ストナアイビージェルEX |
|---|---|
| Maker | 佐藤製薬 (Sato Pharmaceutical) |
| Risk class | 指定第2類医薬品 |
| Form | Liquid-filled capsules, 24 |
| Main ingredients | イブプロフェン, トラネキサム酸, ジヒドロコデイン, dl-メチルエフェドリン, ブロムヘキシン, d-クロルフェニラミン (antihistamine), カフェイン |
| Age (label) | 15 and over. 3 times a day after meals |
| Sleepy / driving | Yes – do not drive |
| Price | 価格.com: ¥1,420–¥2,398 at 3 shops (5 Nov 2026) |
Fever relievers and a kampo option
If you mainly have a fever, headache or sore throat, a fever and pain reliever (解熱鎮痛薬) is another choice. Remember: do not take it together with a cold medicine. Kampo is a different type of medicine, chosen by symptoms and body type.
5. イブA錠 (SS Pharmaceutical Eve A)
A small, film-coated ibuprofen tablet for pain and fever, including sore throat and chills with fever. It also contains アリルイソプロピルアセチル尿素 and caffeine. The insert has a do-not-drive warning because it can make you sleepy.
| Japanese name | イブA錠 |
|---|---|
| Maker | エスエス製薬 (SS Pharmaceutical) |
| Risk class | 指定第2類医薬品 (printed 第②類) |
| Form | Tablets, 12 / 36 / 60 / 90 |
| Main ingredients | イブプロフェン, アリルイソプロピルアセチル尿素, 無水カフェイン |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only. Up to 3 times a day |
| Sleepy / driving | Yes – do not drive. No alcohol. Not within 12 weeks of the due date; not if you had asthma from pain or cold medicine |
| Price | Maker: ¥427 (12), ¥735 (36), ¥922 (60), ¥1,142 (90). 価格.com ¥798 for 60 (5 Nov 2026) |
6. タイレノールA (Tylenol A)
A one-ingredient acetaminophen (アセトアミノフェン) tablet. The maker says it can be taken on an empty stomach, but for chills and fever from a cold it asks you to avoid an empty stomach if possible. Its insert has no driving warning. It still says no alcohol and no other cold or pain medicine at the same time.
| Japanese name | タイレノールA |
|---|---|
| Maker | JNTLコンシューマーヘルス (JNTL Consumer Health) |
| Risk class | 第2類医薬品 |
| Form | Tablets, 10 / 20 / 30 |
| Main ingredients | アセトアミノフェン 300 mg per tablet |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only. Up to 3 times a day, 4 hours apart |
| Sleepy / driving | No driving warning in the insert |
| Price | ¥1,419 for 20 at the Welcia shop on Rakuten, plus shipping (5 Nov 2026) |
7. ツムラ漢方葛根湯エキス顆粒A (Tsumura Kakkonto granules A)
葛根湯 (kakkonto) is a well-known kampo medicine. Tsumura’s label says it is for people with average or stronger physical strength (体力中等度以上) at the start of a cold when you are not sweating, and for nasal colds, headache, stiff shoulders and muscle aches. It is taken before meals, twice a day. It contains マオウ (ephedra herb). Ask an expert first if you have high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, sweat a lot or are pregnant.
| Japanese name | ツムラ漢方葛根湯エキス顆粒A |
|---|---|
| Maker | ツムラ (Tsumura) |
| Risk class | 第2類医薬品 |
| Form | Granules, 20 or 48 packets |
| Main ingredients | Kakkonto extract: カッコン, マオウ, タイソウ, ケイヒ, シャクヤク, カンゾウ, ショウキョウ |
| Age (label) | 2 and over, with a smaller dose for children; not under 2 |
| Sleepy / driving | No driving warning listed |
| Price | 価格.com lowest ¥1,355 for 20 packets; ¥2,640 at the Seims online shop (5 Nov 2026) |
All 7 at a glance
| Product | Type | Risk class | Sleepy / do not drive | Age (label) | Price (5 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| パブロンゴールドA〈微粒〉 | Multi-symptom | 指定第2類 | Yes | 12+ | ¥1,738–¥3,177 (44 packets) |
| ルルアタックEX | Multi-symptom | 指定第2類 | Yes | 15+ | ¥1,320 (12, maker) |
| エスタックイブ | Multi-symptom | 指定第2類 | Yes | 15+ | ¥1,408 (30, maker) |
| ストナアイビージェルEX | Multi-symptom | 指定第2類 | Yes | 15+ | From ¥1,420 (24) |
| イブA錠 | Fever & pain | 指定第2類 | Yes | 15+ | ¥798–¥922 (60) |
| タイレノールA | Fever & pain | 第2類 | No warning | 15+ | ¥1,419 (20) |
| ツムラ漢方葛根湯エキス顆粒A | Kampo | 第2類 | Not listed | 2+ | ¥1,355–¥2,640 (20) |
※ Maker = maker’s suggested price. Other prices from 価格.com, the Seims online shop or the Welcia shop on Rakuten. All include tax; shipping not included.
When to see a doctor, and tax-free
🩺 When to see a doctor or get help
- Ambulance: call 119. For serious illness, for example trouble breathing. If you cannot speak Japanese, ask someone nearby to call
- Not sure if you need an ambulance or a hospital? Call #7119. Doctors, nurses and paramedics answer. It works in 42 areas, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka, but not everywhere (for example not in Mie, Saga, Miyazaki or Kagoshima). For children, many areas use #8000
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO): 050-3816-2787, 24 hours, in English, Chinese and Korean. JNTO’s website can also search for hospitals by language
- AMDA International Medical Information Center: multilingual line 0120-339-266 (03-6233-9266)
- No better after 5–6 doses, or fever for 3 days or more: stop and see a doctor or ask the pharmacist (from the inserts)
- Right after taking a medicine: hives, itching, a hoarse voice or trouble breathing; or high fever with red eyes, sores on the lips or a rash. The inserts say stop and see a doctor at once
A clinic is called クリニック or 医院; internal medicine is 内科 (naika). For other drugstore buys, see our Japan drugstore shopping guide.
Can I buy cold medicine tax-free?
Since 1 November 2026, Japan uses a refund system. You pay the full price with tax, and you get the tax back after customs checks the goods when you leave Japan. You need to spend at least ¥5,000 (before tax) in one shop on one day, show your passport at the tax-free terminal within 90 days, and do it before you check in your bags.
The Japan Tourism Agency says consumables such as food, drinks and cosmetics that are used in Japan cannot get the refund, and that you must tell the customs officer about anything you used. Medicine is used up in the same way, so do not expect a refund for medicine you take while you are in Japan, and ask the shop if you are not sure. Read more in our Japan tax-free shopping guide.
Taking Japanese cold medicine home
Rules for bringing medicine into a country differ. Some Japanese cold medicines contain codeine-type or ephedrine-type ingredients. Before you buy, check your own country’s official rules. Keep the box and the insert, which list the ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a cold medicine and a painkiller together?
The package inserts say no. While you take a cold medicine, do not take another cold medicine or a fever and pain reliever such as イブA錠 or タイレノールA. Ask the pharmacist if you are not sure.
Which Japanese cold medicines make you sleepy?
Many multi-symptom cold medicines contain an antihistamine and tell you not to drive (乗物又は機械類の運転操作をしないでください). All four cold medicines in this guide and イブA錠 have this warning. タイレノールA and the Tsumura kakkonto do not list one. Always check the box.
Why did the staff ask my age?
Since 1 May 2026, medicines with eight ingredients, including many cold medicines, are kept out of reach. Staff must ask your age and other purchases. People under 18 can buy only one small pack.
Can children take these medicines?
Most products here are for ages 15 and over. パブロンゴールドA is for 12 and over, and the Tsumura kakkonto for 2 and over, at smaller doses. Ask the pharmacist and follow the label.
What if I do not feel better?
The inserts say stop and talk to a doctor, pharmacist or registered seller if you are no better after 5–6 doses. If you are not sure whether you need a hospital, call #7119 where available, or the Japan Visitor Hotline (050-3816-2787).
Can I buy cold medicine tax-free?
Yes, if you spend at least ¥5,000 (before tax) in one shop on one day. You get the tax back when you leave Japan. Items used in Japan are not eligible.
The short version
For several symptoms at once, there are multi-symptom cold medicines such as パブロンゴールドA (ages 12+), ルルアタックEX, エスタックイブ and ストナアイビージェルEX (15+). All four can make you sleepy and are usually sold at the counter. For fever or pain, イブA錠 (ibuprofen) and タイレノールA (acetaminophen) are options, but never with a cold medicine. ツムラ葛根湯 is a kampo choice for the start of a cold. Check the age limit and driving warning, follow the label, ask the pharmacist or registered seller, and see a doctor if you are no better after 5–6 doses.
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