Japanese at the Pharmacy: Drugstores, Prescriptions and Medicine Words
In Japan there are two kinds of places to get medicine. A drugstore (ドラッグストア) sells over-the-counter medicines alongside cosmetics and snacks, while a dispensing pharmacy (調剤薬局, often just 薬局) fills prescriptions from a doctor. The phrases you need most are 頭痛薬はありますか (do you have something for a headache?), 眠くならない薬はありますか (is there one that won’t make me drowsy?) and アレルギーがあります (I have an allergy). Pharmacists (薬剤師) are used to questions, so ask whenever you are unsure.
If you have trouble breathing, chest pain or a severe allergic reaction, call 119.
At a drugstore
- 風邪薬はどこですか。 Where is the cold medicine?
- のどが痛いです。何かいい薬はありますか。 I have a sore throat. Is there something good for it?
- 熱があります。 I have a fever.
- 子ども用はありますか。 Do you have one for children?
- 薬剤師さんに相談できますか。 Can I talk to the pharmacist?
Some medicines can only be sold after a pharmacist explains them, and the pharmacist may not be on duty late in the evening, so you might be asked to come back.
Common medicine words
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 頭痛薬・痛み止め | Headache tablets, painkillers |
| 風邪薬 | Cold medicine |
| 胃薬 | Stomach medicine |
| 花粉症の薬 | Hay fever medicine |
| 目薬 | Eye drops |
| 湿布 | Medicated patch for aches |
| 絆創膏 | Plaster, adhesive bandage |
| 食後・食前・寝る前 | After meals, before meals, before bed |
Filling a prescription
After a clinic visit, you usually get a prescription (処方箋) to take to a dispensing pharmacy, often right next to the clinic. A prescription is only valid for a short time, usually four days including the day it was issued, so fill it promptly. Bring your health insurance card. You will be asked:
- お薬手帳はお持ちですか。 Do you have a medicine notebook? This is a small record of everything you are prescribed. Pharmacies can give you one, or you can use an app.
- ジェネリックでもいいですか。 Is a generic medicine all right?
- ほかに飲んでいる薬はありますか。 Are you taking any other medicines?
Useful replies: 一日何回飲みますか。 (How many times a day do I take it?) and お酒を飲んでも大丈夫ですか。 (Is it all right to drink alcohol?)
Allergies and medicines from home
- ペニシリンのアレルギーがあります。 I’m allergic to penicillin.
- 妊娠しています。 I’m pregnant.
- この薬と同じ成分のものはありますか。 Do you have something with the same ingredient as this?
Medicine brands in Japan are different from home, so show the active ingredient rather than the brand name. Some common medicines from other countries are restricted in Japan, so check the rules on bringing medicine into the country before you travel. For food allergies, see food allergies and dietary needs in Japan.
Related guides
For appointments, see Japanese at the doctor and Japanese at the dentist. For urgent situations, see Japanese for emergencies. If a conversation is too important to risk misunderstanding, see an interpreter for medical appointments.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors can prepare you for health situations in Japan, from describing symptoms to reading medicine labels, with role plays at your level. Lessons are online, so you can prepare before you move or practise once you arrive.