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luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

There are times when I miss my home country... I miss being able to walk into my doc's office and get a dose of real strong opiate-laced medicine (the only thing I've ever known to truly quell a bad cough)... But alas, good hard drugs are illegal in Japan, and before I digress into another rant on West vs. East health medical systems....

Does anyone know of a decent over/under/across the counter cough medicine in Japan that actually works? I've yet to find one in my 3+ years here. These supposed strong syrups that cost a fortune (1200 Yen for a small bottle) are little more than herbal sugar drinks as far as I can tell. They have zero effect on me. And the little brown-coated sugar pills packaged as hardcore cough lozengars (also costing a small fortune)?... give me a break. So far the best thing that works is the 99 Yen pack of Halls (which is weaker than the North American version by the way) I can get at any conbini, but these still don't prevent me from hacking my way thru a class (yes, forgive me, I have sinned, I routinely break the no eating anything in class rule at public schools when I catch a bad cold).

Anyone found anything that works for the nastiest of hacking spells?

As usual, thanks in advance.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Stop smoking?

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:42 am Post subject:

Start smoking?

I have heard of a remedy for colds that involves hot sake with a raw egg mixed in to it.

I've never tried it for obvious reasons.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

I got some cough medicine the other day called "Mapilon", according to the label it had codeine in it which surprised me. It's OK but expensive. Pablon also stops coughs and is more reasonable in price. Alternatively get someone to send you some codeine based cough remedies. Technically illegal but you won't have any problems getting it in. Last time I was sent some customs had opened the package and still didn't confiscate it.

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

Gargle with salt water or "Isojin" as much as possible. The latter they sell at most drugs stores and its a dark based fluid, you just squirt a little in a cup, add water and gargle.

Another good remedy is called "Troche." Spelling might be wrong, but my school's principal introduced it to me. I actually think its an Australian cough remedy, but I've seen it here in Japan. It's kind of like an antiseptic, just 1 or 2 drips in your throat and you'll feel instant relief.
But be sure to look for the liquid type...I bought some "Troche" cough drops and they tasted too horrible.