Do you know the types of medicine in Japan as well as the dosage instructions?
It is dangerous to take the wrong dosage so do check before taking your medicine!
Also, there are some medicine which require a doctor's prescription in order to purchase.
Let me explain the types of medicine and the dosage instructions!
1. Prescription Drugs vs Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs
Prescription Drugs (処方箋医薬品 Shohousen Iyakuhin) are prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist.
These are drugs with a risk of side effects such as inducing allergies, and therefore medical advice is needed for taking them.
Prescription drugs can be purchased from the pharmacy with a prescription slip (処方箋 Shohousen) from your doctor.
In contrast, OTC Drugs (市販薬 Shihanyaku aka 一般用医薬品 Ippanyou Iyakuhin) do not require a prescription and can be bought from drugstores.
OTC Drugs are categorized into the following grades:
・Type 1 OTC Drugs (第一類医薬品 Daiichirui Iyakuhin)
Certain Antipyretics & Analgesics, Hair Growth Formulas
・Type 2 OTC Drugs (第二類医薬品 Dainirui Iyakuhin)
Most Cold & Flu medications, Antipyretics & Analgesics
・Type 3 OTC Drugs (第三類医薬品 Daisanrui Iyakuhin)
Vitamins, Digestive medicine, etc
2. Oral Medicine・Self-Injected Medications・Medicine for External Use
Oral Medicine (内服薬 Naifukuyaku) is medicine taken orally e.g. powder medicine, tablets, capsules, liquid medicine
Self-Injected Medications (注射薬 Chuushayaku) are injected into the body e.g. Insulin for Diabetes
Medicine for External Use (外用薬 Gaiyouyaku) includes ointments, eyedrops, medicine for gargling, sprays, inhalants, adhesives, suppositories, etc
3. Dosage (服用 Fukuyou) Instructions
a. Dosage Frequency
E.g. 3 times a day
b. Dosage period
Before (食前 Shokuzen)/After (食後 Shokugou)/During Meal (食間 Shokkan)・When Necessary (頓服 Donpuku)・At Bedtime (就寝 Shuushin)・After Waking up (起床 Kishou)
c. Quantity per dosage
＊Please take note of your drug allergies and seek medical help immediately if you experience side effects after taking the medicine.
Do also note the expiry date of your medicine and throw away medicine that has expired.
It is dangerous to take the wrong dosage so do check before taking your medicine!
Also, there are some medicine which require a doctor's prescription in order to purchase.
Let me explain the types of medicine and the dosage instructions!
1. Prescription Drugs vs Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs
Prescription Drugs (処方箋医薬品 Shohousen Iyakuhin) are prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist.
These are drugs with a risk of side effects such as inducing allergies, and therefore medical advice is needed for taking them.
Prescription drugs can be purchased from the pharmacy with a prescription slip (処方箋 Shohousen) from your doctor.
In contrast, OTC Drugs (市販薬 Shihanyaku aka 一般用医薬品 Ippanyou Iyakuhin) do not require a prescription and can be bought from drugstores.
OTC Drugs are categorized into the following grades:
・Type 1 OTC Drugs (第一類医薬品 Daiichirui Iyakuhin)
Certain Antipyretics & Analgesics, Hair Growth Formulas
・Type 2 OTC Drugs (第二類医薬品 Dainirui Iyakuhin)
Most Cold & Flu medications, Antipyretics & Analgesics
・Type 3 OTC Drugs (第三類医薬品 Daisanrui Iyakuhin)
Vitamins, Digestive medicine, etc
2. Oral Medicine・Self-Injected Medications・Medicine for External Use
Oral Medicine (内服薬 Naifukuyaku) is medicine taken orally e.g. powder medicine, tablets, capsules, liquid medicine
Self-Injected Medications (注射薬 Chuushayaku) are injected into the body e.g. Insulin for Diabetes
Medicine for External Use (外用薬 Gaiyouyaku) includes ointments, eyedrops, medicine for gargling, sprays, inhalants, adhesives, suppositories, etc
3. Dosage (服用 Fukuyou) Instructions
a. Dosage Frequency
E.g. 3 times a day
b. Dosage period
Before (食前 Shokuzen)/After (食後 Shokugou)/During Meal (食間 Shokkan)・When Necessary (頓服 Donpuku)・At Bedtime (就寝 Shuushin)・After Waking up (起床 Kishou)
c. Quantity per dosage
＊Please take note of your drug allergies and seek medical help immediately if you experience side effects after taking the medicine.
Do also note the expiry date of your medicine and throw away medicine that has expired.
