Job Discussion Forums

[Sage]

My friend is going to Japan in a week and is freeking out about getting her Meds into Japan. She asked me to post this for her.
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I'm not actually on a lot of prescription medication, but I rely on what seems (now that I�ve listed and lined up all the bottles) to be a lot of products for comfort and convenience.

I've heard they're strict about medicines in Japan, so I�m wondering how much of it I can "get away with"... I'm going to study abroad in Kanazawa for a year, so I�d be rattling all over from all these pills I�d be carrying. Only two of them are prescription, but with all the other "extra" supplements and stuff, I think I�m bound to be targeted.

This is my desired medicine cabinet:

Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate; prescription for ADD) - This is my biggest concern. It's a controlled substance, looked upon with suspicion even in the states, and a stimulant to boot. I'll be bringing a month's supply with a photocopy of the prescription, as others have advised, and have the rest shipped later. How much can be shipped in one package without fear of it being intercepted and confiscated, if a photocopy of the necessary prescriptions is included?

Multivitamins - one jar (100 tablets)

Aleve (non-prescription anti-inflammatory) - for arthritis and tendonitis. I'd like to bring a fairly big jar, probably 200 tablets.

Glucosamine with Chondroitin (supplement for maintaining lubrication of joints) - again, to help with my decrepit joints. :p

Birth control pills - Not too suspicious, but I�ll need a year's supply. I want to bring as many packets as possible; they are pretty small, but i'm wondering how many i can bring. I'm thinking whatever pack I�ve already started on, plus one full one in my purse, but could i bring more?

Hibiclens (antibacterial solution for skin) - I've got a piercing that still needs to be cleaned; seems pretty harmless, but it's in an unlabeled bottle.

Vitamin E supplement - in addition to the multivitamins, to help aforementioned piercing heal.

Tums - Optional. I heard they're hard to get, so I wanted to bring a big jar of those. I don't get heartburn often, but when I do, it's killer.

Any advice you can give me would be most helpful. Thank you,

~Mephy

[Gordon]

Too Much Information!
I'm sure the regulars from the China Forum will enjoy reading it.

Don't sweat it. Your "friend" is a little paranoid so don't worry about it. I too brought along a small medicine cabinet and customs didn't look twice. Generally, they let you take in a 3 month supply, but someone may have a "big" 3 month supply.
If you look nervous about it all, you won't be helping yourself. Be casual and if they question anything, tell them that it is all necessary.

[Sage]

Don't look at me!

I don't take any meds, and I'm not going to Japan for a few months now. Mephy, on the other hand, is a different story...

Thanks for the advice and keep it coming!

~Sage

[Canuck2112]

Your friend might have troubles with the dexadrines. Japan has a HUGE amphetamine problem, and they're really cracking down on it. Dexadrine is essentially low-dose pharmaceutical grade crystal meth. This might raise some eyebrows. From what a Japanese friend of mine told me, there are strict penalties for ephedrine possesion, and things that contain pseudoephedrine (such as sudafed) aren't allowed, as they can be used as precursors for amphetamine production. I would definitely make sure about the drug before bringing it over...in some areas it's a scheduled substance and you may need two notes (one from the doctor, one from the governing body) for it.

As far as the other things, every website I've seen says you're allowed a three month supply of what they call a "pseudo-drug", which by their definition is a non-prescription substance that has an action in the body. From what I can tell, this includes vitamins. I've heard they can be lenient in this regard though. I asked the Japanese consulate about it awhile back, and they told me that in certain situations exemptions can be granted, but you have to contact the airport.

[Gordon]

I had no problem bringing over lots of cold medicine (Sudafed and others) and allergy medicine. If your friend has allergies, I recommend she bring over lots of allergy medicine.

[khmerhit]

If she wants a hassle-free drug consuming zone, she can try Cambodia---

[foster]

I took a small medicine chest as well when I went to Japan. I also took almost 18 months worth of BirthControl Pills. I also had a doctors note on hand to show them that yes, they were for prescription purposes and therefore necessary to have with me.

Since the Dex.... drugs sounds like it may have some complications, I would strongly suggest going to your doctor and getting a note that states that this drug is essential for your well-being and that the only reason you are bringing it is for personal use. 1 friend of mine has a serious health problem (Crones) and she brought a very detailed note from her Doc and was able to bring a year's worth of vitamins and other assorted meds in.

Other stuff, like OTC sinus and cold stuff, was not a problem. I even had friends mail me super duper strength motrin and other meds and there was never a problem.

[ellethecat]

I have similar concerns about getting my meds across and have actually given up on trying to take my ritalin (a methaphetamine.) I DO take other meds and hope I can bring several months worth in, despite the fact taht the customs officals say officially you may bring only one months worth of an RX. I faxed osaka airport/customs, as per advice of the embassy, and they gave me some sort of form that I "might" be able to get approved by one of the ministries there. But the form also said amphetamines were not allowed, so I decided not to bother. Ritalin helps my concentration, but I CAN live without it.

[Timuli]

Can't help with much except the multi vits, Aleve, Glucosamine and Vit E. You can get them all quite easily in Japan.
Aleve I assume has either aspirin or probably Ibuprofen in it. Easily available at pharmacies, as with Vitamin E. Glucosamine is available in any half decent sports shop or pharmacy (I used to half live on Vit E and Glucosamine last year). Although try looking into MSM instead. Some say it works better than Glu. Choin. Do not get a MSM Gluco mix.
Multi vits are available at all pharmacies, but the doses are not what you're used to back home. Hoever you can get good quality ones at sports shops.
Another alternative is ordering the stuff online.