The Best Japanese OTC Medicines for Tourists, Recommended by Pros

The season for cherry blossoms to bloom is almost here. When you travel to Japan, you naturally want to enjoy the beautiful scenery and delicious food to your heart’s content. However, changes in environment or diet can sometimes lead to unexpected health issues. Gastrointestinal problems such as stomachaches, diarrhea, or constipation, in particular, can ruin your fun travel plans. If you fall ill in a foreign country, you might feel anxious about where to buy medicine or what kind of medicine to get.

This article introduces over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that foreign tourists can safely use during their stay in Japan. These are readily available at Japanese pharmacies (Japanese pharmacy travel essentials) and will become essential travel items to solve your travel-related woes. By reading this article, you’ll learn how to find sudden stomach medicine Japan, diarrhea relief Japan, or constipation medicine Tokyo, and be well-prepared for a comfortable and stress-free trip to Japan. Please read on to the end.

On Your Japan Trip! Are Unexpected Gastrointestinal Issues Troubling You?

What if you suddenly feel unwell while enjoying Japan’s beautiful scenery and attractive gourmet foods like sushi, ramen, and wagashi? Meals at your travel destination are often different from your usual diet, which can sometimes put a strain on your stomach. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon to suffer from symptoms such as stomachaches, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation (travel sickness Japan) due to jet lag, long hours of travel, or stress from an unfamiliar environment.

You might feel, “I want to recover quickly and enjoy sightseeing again, but with the language barrier, it’s difficult to find medicine in a pharmacy in Japan…” Even if you go to a drug store or pharmacy, you’ll find numerous medicines lined up, and you might be unsure which one to choose. Feeling unwell is the biggest enemy that can hinder your precious memory-making. But don’t worry! With the right knowledge, you can confidently choose the medicine that suits you in Japan and overcome your discomfort. We will clearly explain Japanese medicines (buying medicine in Japan for tourists) to support your comfortable journey.

What to Do When You Can’t Find Your Familiar Overseas Medicine in Japan

Many of you coming from overseas might have everyday medicines you regularly take in your home country. For example, you might be fond of medicines like “Gaviscon” for acid discomfort, “Imodium” for sudden diarrhea, or “Dulcolax” and “Senokot” for constipation. These medicines are widely known around the world, and many people have experienced their effectiveness.

Unfortunately, in most cases, these overseas products are not sold in Japanese pharmacies under the same names or in identical packaging. While there are medicines with similar ingredients or Japanese-made medicines with equivalent effects, it can be confusing for first-time visitors to Japanese drugstores to decide which one to choose. There’s no need to feel anxious in such situations. Next, we will introduce over-the-counter medicines readily available in Japan that are expected to have effects equivalent to these famous overseas drugs.

Rest Assured! Japan Has Reliable Over-the-Counter Medicines

To all those familiar with medicines like Gaviscon, Imodium, Dulcolax, and Senokot overseas: If you’re looking for medicines with equivalent effects in Japan, the following three over-the-counter medicines are highly recommended. They are widely available at Japanese pharmacies and are effective for common travel-related gastrointestinal issues such as stomachaches, diarrhea, and constipation.

• For Stomachaches, Indigestion, and Acid Reflux: Sucrate G
  • Contains the same active ingredient as overseas Gaviscon. It is expected to protect the gastric mucosa.

• For Diarrhea: Pitaritto
  • Contains the same active ingredient as overseas Imodium. It is expected to quickly suppress sudden diarrhea.

• For Constipation: Surulac-S
  • Like overseas Dulcolax and Senokot, it promotes bowel movements and is effective for stubborn constipation.

Let’s take a closer look at each medicine next.

Introducing Each Specific Medicine

For Stomachaches, Indigestion, and Acid Reflux: “Sucrate G”

Sucrate G is a gastrointestinal medicine highly recommended for those suffering from uncomfortable stomach symptoms. It is particularly effective for stomachaches, indigestion, and heartburn caused by stomach acid irritating and damaging the gastric lining.

• Features and Efficacy:
  • One of the main active ingredients in Sucrate G, sucralfate, directly adheres to damaged gastric mucosa to form a protective film, shielding it from acid attacks. By covering the stomach like a bandage, it is said to soothe pain and aid in the stomach’s recovery.
  • It also contains ingredients that neutralize stomach acid, which is expected to quickly suppress irritation caused by acid.
  • Taking it between meals or after meals is also expected to alleviate stomach discomfort and aid digestion.
  • It comes in various forms, such as liquid and granule types, so you can choose what is easiest for you to take.
• Especially Useful When:
  • Your stomach feels heavy from eating too much spicy or greasy food.
  • You experience indigestion due to unfamiliar meals.
  • Your stomach hurts sharply from stress or fatigue.
  • For those who used Gaviscon overseas, this will be one of the choices as a Japanese alternative medicine, as it has similar gastric mucosal protective effects.
• Precautions for Use:
  • Please follow the prescribed dosage and administration instructions carefully.
  • If symptoms do not improve, discontinue use and consult a doctor or pharmacist.
  • When combining with other gastrointestinal medicines, please consult a pharmacist first.

For Sudden Diarrhea: “Pitaritto”

Pitaritto is an excellent anti-diarrhea medicine that can quickly address sudden diarrhea during travel. It is useful when your stomach feels unwell due to changes in environment, indigestion from unfamiliar foods, and so on.

• Features and Efficacy:
  • The main active ingredient in Pitaritto is loperamide hydrochloride. This ingredient is expected to suppress excessive bowel movements and promote the absorption of water and electrolytes, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms.
  • Since its effects appear relatively quickly after taking, it can be used with confidence even when you are out or traveling.
  • You can choose travel-convenient forms, such as easy-to-carry sheet types or orally disintegrating tablets that can be taken without water.
  • For those who favor Imodium overseas, Pitaritto is a strong candidate for Japanese anti-diarrhea medicine as it contains loperamide hydrochloride as its main ingredient. However, it should be noted that there is approximately a four-fold difference in the approved dosage of loperamide hydrochloride between Japan and overseas.
• Especially Useful When:
  • You are suddenly hit with diarrhea during long-distance travel.
  • Your stomach loosens immediately after a meal.
  • You don’t want to worry about restrooms while sightseeing.
• Precautions for Use:
  • Depending on the cause of diarrhea, it may not be suitable for use. Especially if you have diarrhea accompanied by fever or bloody stools, seek medical attention immediately.
  • Please adhere to the prescribed dosage and use appropriately according to your symptoms.
  • Do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine (as drowsiness may occur).

For Stubborn Constipation: “Surulac-S”

Surulac-S is a laxative developed for those who suffer from constipation during travel. There are many factors that can lead to constipation during a trip, such as changes in diet, lack of exercise, and stress.

• Features and Efficacy:
  • The Surulac-S series primarily contains ingredients such as bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate, which are expected to act directly on the large intestine to stimulate peristaltic movement and promote bowel movements similar to natural defecation.
  • Various types are available, with products that differ in the time it takes for effects to appear after taking. For example, some are expected to be effective the morning after taking them before bedtime.
  • They are coated to prevent dissolution in the stomach and ensure delivery to the intestines.
  • For those who used Dulcolax or Senokot overseas, Surulac-S is recommended as a Japanese laxative with equivalent effects.
• Especially Useful When:
  • You haven’t had a bowel movement for several days and feel bloated and uncomfortable.
  • You become constipated due to irregular lifestyle during travel.
  • You want to have smooth bowel movements for a comfortable trip.
• Precautions for Use:
  • When using for the first time, start with a small dose and adjust the dosage according to your constitution.
  • Avoid continuous use, and if constipation becomes chronic, consult a doctor.
  • If you experience abdominal pain, do not force yourself to take it and seek medical attention.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

All of these over-the-counter medicines are widely sold and easily purchasable at Japanese pharmacies and drugstores. However, it is extremely important to always read the package insert carefully and follow the dosage and administration instructions for any medicine.

Support for a Comfortable Trip! Make Smart Use of Japanese Over-the-Counter Medicines

Your stay in Japan will undoubtedly be a wonderful experience, full of new discoveries and excitement. However, managing your health while traveling is crucial, and gastrointestinal issues, in particular, can easily spoil your enjoyable time. In this article, we’ve introduced Sucrate G for stomachaches, Pitariit for diarrhea, and Thru-Lac for constipation as essential travel items that foreign tourists can confidently choose at Japanese pharmacies.

These medicines are reliable Japanese over-the-counter options that are expected to have similar effects for those familiar with Gaviscon, Imodium, Dulcolax, and Senokot overseas. When planning your trip, we recommend carrying these medicines or checking where you can purchase them in advance, in case of unexpected health issues. Japanese pharmacies (Japanese pharmacy) are located all over the country and are relatively easy to access, so you’ll be able to respond calmly even if you suddenly feel unwell.

Of course, over-the-counter medicines are intended for temporary relief of symptoms. If your symptoms do not improve, or if you feel severe pain that is unusual, never hesitate to seek medical attention immediately. We are always here to support you so that you can enjoy your trip to Japan with peace of mind and to your heart’s content.

At BLEZ Pharmacy, we carry not only the products introduced here but also other essential medicines. While our physical store is located in Asakusa, you can consult us online and place orders regardless of where you are staying in Japan, be it Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, or elsewhere. We also offer fast delivery, with some regions receiving orders as early as the next day. Furthermore, we provide support for online consultations with English-speaking doctors, helping you receive appropriate and reliable care. For more details, please feel free to contact us via phone, LINE, X(Twitter), Instagram, wechat, or other channels.