Stomach aches, head aches, fevers… There are lots of things that affect our health when we are busy and stressed. Especially when you are coming from a different country, you are even more stressed out. All of the paperwork you need to fill out in a language that is not your mother tongue and in a country so far away from home is not an easy thing to do.

Especially when it comes to medicine.

To help you out, here is a list of medicine that you can find in drugstores that you can stock up on now while you’ve got the time.

1. For symptoms of a common cold

新ルルAゴールドDX / New Lulu A Gold DX
パブロンSゴールド微粒 / Pablon S Gold
ベンザブロックL錠 / Benza block L tablet

2. For different pains and fevers

ベンザブロックL錠 / Benza block L tablet
イブA錠 / Eve A tablet
バファリンA / Bufferin A

3. For an upset stomach

太田胃散 / Ohta Isan (Gastric distention)
パンシロンZ / Panshiron Z
新ビオフェルミンS錠 / New Biofermin S tablet

4. For muscle pain

ロキソニンSテープ / Loxonin S tape
フェイタス5.0 / Feitas 5.0
ボルタレンEXテープ / Voltaren EX tape

5. For scratches and other types of cuts

ドルマイシン軟膏 / Dolmaisin ointment
テラマイシン軟膏 / Terramycin ointment
オロナインH軟膏 / Oronine H ointment

All of the medicine listed can be bought at a common drugstore!

*If you are currently using medication you received in a Japanese (or foreign) clinic/hospital, it is best to first consult your doctor before using any of the medicine listed.

While I'm at it, here are some terms you should know when you go to the hospital*

受付 (Uketsuke) - Reception desk / Reception counter
初診受付 (Shoushin Uketsuke) - First time visitors booth
予約受付 (Yoyaku Uketsuke) - Reservation booth
診察券 (Shinsatsuken) - Hospital membership card
診察室 (Shinsatsushitsu) - Examination room
採血 (Saiketsu)・採血室 (Saiketsushitsu) - Blood testing ・ Blood testing room
会計窓口 (Kaikei Madoguchi) - Accountment window / payment booth
医者 (Isha) - Doctor
看護師 (Kangoshi)・看護婦 (Kangofu) - Nurse
患者 (Kanja) - Patient

Most doctors in Japan specialize in only one or two specific areas; rarely would you find a general practitioner at a hospital. Because of this, you will be asked about which department you need to go. If you don’t know what department you need to consult, ask someone working at the front desk (some will speak English)