Sinus medications
Aug 1, 2012 | 5:53 pm
#1
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Sinus medications
I'm dying in pain here with sinus pain..i need some kind of sinus medications.I've read that a lot of us or australian sinus meds are banned here so if anyone can recommend a japanese brand, that will be great..also what is sinus called in nihongo?
Aug 1, 2012 | 6:56 pm
#2
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The average person here has not got a clue what the difference is between a decongestant and an antihistamine.
Fukubiku are sinuses.
Better off asking someone to mail you some real meds.
Aug 1, 2012 | 9:51 pm
#3
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My wife says the exact same thing.
Japanese allergy, cold and sinus medicines are worthless.
We go to Costco in Canada, buy a whole lot of everything and leave it in our home in Japan. When the need arises, we always have a supply.
My wife hates hay fever. It is so bad for in Japan that she can't do anything for the spring months. She moved to Canada and discovered good hay fever medication and she got her life back.
Japanese allergy, cold and sinus medicines are worthless.
We go to Costco in Canada, buy a whole lot of everything and leave it in our home in Japan. When the need arises, we always have a supply.
My wife hates hay fever. It is so bad for in Japan that she can't do anything for the spring months. She moved to Canada and discovered good hay fever medication and she got her life back.
Aug 1, 2012 | 11:03 pm
#4
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(though since there are some products like zolpidem on there which are sold in Japan, I'm assuming there are exceptions to this list)
Last edited by armagebedar; Aug 1, 2012 at 11:14 pm Reason: added a link to better information
Aug 2, 2012 | 7:42 am
#5
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I met two of my japanese friends today and they say i have a cold..i say no..its just my sinuses...anyways..they got me cold medication...better than nothing i guess..i go back to canada on saturday..so just two more sleepless nights..
Aug 3, 2012 | 2:43 pm
#6
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I just googled for pseudoephedrine hcl. Of course you have to find out the details of the other ingredients:
60mg http://www.catalog-taisho.com/04576.php
120mg http://www.ssp.co.jp/product/all/stbc12/
60mg http://www.catalog-taisho.com/04576.php
120mg http://www.ssp.co.jp/product/all/stbc12/
Aug 3, 2012 | 4:04 pm
#7
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Bear in mind that Japanese cold medication is often required by the government to be weak.
A friend of mine was the product manager for Contac for a few years. He told me that the ingredients were exactly the same as in the US but it was only half as powerful. So in that case, the solution is to take two instead of one. I'm would suspect the same is true for other cold medication.
For nasal congestion, if you have absolutely nothing that works, spraying salty water can help somewhat.
A friend of mine was the product manager for Contac for a few years. He told me that the ingredients were exactly the same as in the US but it was only half as powerful. So in that case, the solution is to take two instead of one. I'm would suspect the same is true for other cold medication.
For nasal congestion, if you have absolutely nothing that works, spraying salty water can help somewhat.
Aug 3, 2012 | 6:42 pm
#8
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I'm more used to the brand names of medications sold in the US rather then the actual medicine's name, so if I'm not sure what the Japanese equivalent might be, I'll check wikipedia for the medicine, then click on the 日本語 site to see what the Japanese name would be and if it is regulated in Japan.
Some of my favorite OTC medication found in the US still require a prescription in Japan. Thankfully I also know a Japanese doctor who lived in the US as a researcher, so when I ask medicine questions from my searches they usually know what I'm talking about.
Zyrtec (cetirizine) , which is sold OTC in the US for allergies/hay fever etc (called Reactine in Canada). Is available in Japan by prescription.
Some of my favorite OTC medication found in the US still require a prescription in Japan. Thankfully I also know a Japanese doctor who lived in the US as a researcher, so when I ask medicine questions from my searches they usually know what I'm talking about.
Zyrtec (cetirizine) , which is sold OTC in the US for allergies/hay fever etc (called Reactine in Canada). Is available in Japan by prescription.
Aug 4, 2012 | 3:57 am
#9
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I usually just take a supply of my usual OTC meds appropriate for the length of stay with me in my shaving kit. I discovered after the first time or two that I had inadvertently violated the law by bringing in pseudophed so switched to the PE version (phenylefren) and simply carry Clariten, Allegra or Coriciden HBP. I may be technically in violation for some of it but have never even been stopped for Customs inspection so do not know.
Aug 4, 2012 | 4:10 am
#10
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I usually just take a supply of my usual OTC meds appropriate for the length of stay with me in my shaving kit. I discovered after the first time or two that I had inadvertently violated the law by bringing in pseudophed so switched to the PE version (phenylefren) and simply carry Clariten, Allegra or Coriciden HBP. I may be technically in violation for some of it but have never even been stopped for Customs inspection so do not know.
I am not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice.
Aug 4, 2012 | 9:30 am
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Aug 4, 2012 | 11:17 am
#12
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For me it's bad enough that here in the U.S. I have to sign a pharmacist's registry to get meds that relieve my sinus headaches and that the most effective one for me, the original formula Tylenol Sinus, is available only occasionally.
All because a tiny minority of the population might use it to make methamphetamines.
But on the whole, the Japanese are quite touchy about illegal drugs, and their most commonly abused drugs are amphetamines, not surprising when you consider that high school students studying for entrance exams and company employees are often seriously sleep-deprived.
All because a tiny minority of the population might use it to make methamphetamines.
But on the whole, the Japanese are quite touchy about illegal drugs, and their most commonly abused drugs are amphetamines, not surprising when you consider that high school students studying for entrance exams and company employees are often seriously sleep-deprived.
Aug 10, 2012 | 3:42 pm
#13
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Thanks all for your input..i normally bring Sudafed with me..but i forgot this time and I paid for it...it was a hellish four nights in Tokyo. I've been to Japan now close to 12 times and I've never been searched so i will bring my otc drugs with me next time... I had to relieve my self with stream this time...didn't work that well...
Aug 10, 2012 | 8:11 pm
#14
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Thanks all for your input..i normally bring Sudafed with me..but i forgot this time and I paid for it...it was a hellish four nights in Tokyo. I've been to Japan now close to 12 times and I've never been searched so i will bring my otc drugs with me next time... I had to relieve my self with stream this time...didn't work that well...
Mentholatum is available here and like we did all through the 60's and 70's, that smeared belowthe nostrils and along the sides of the nose and the forehead with a towel over your head over a bowl of steaming water works wonders. Just be sure to keep your eyes closed.
