How to Read the Back of a Japanese Medicine Box
Drug classes, expiry dates, ingredients, and warnings โ explained in plain English.
The back of a Japanese medicine box follows a consistent layout. Once you know what the key labels mean, you can find the information you need in under a minute โ even without reading Japanese.
Here are the four sections worth knowing: the drug class label, the expiry date, the ingredients list, and the warnings.
1. The Drug Class Label (็ฌฌใ้กๅป่ฌๅ)
Every medicine sold in Japan displays its drug class on the packaging โ usually on the front or side panel. The label reads ็ฌฌใ้กๅป่ฌๅ, where ใ is the class number.
Class 1ใ็ฌฌ1้ก
A pharmacist must be present and will confirm you've read the product information before completing the sale.
Class 2 ๏ผ Designated Class 2ใ็ฌฌ2้ก๏ผๆๅฎ็ฌฌ2้ก
Most everyday medicines โ cold tablets, allergy pills, pain relievers. No mandatory consultation required.
Class 3ใ็ฌฌ3้ก
Vitamins and mild supplements. The most straightforward to buy.
For the full breakdown โ including why a pharmacist sometimes stops you at the register โ read our guide to Japan's drug class system.
2. How to Find the Expiry Date (ไฝฟ็จๆ้)
The expiry date is labeled ไฝฟ็จๆ้ (shiyล kigen) and is usually printed on the side or bottom of the box. The format is YYYY.MM โ so 2028.09 means the medicine expires in September 2028.
๐ก Check the blister sheet too
Some medicines also print the expiry date directly on the PTP blister sheet โ the foil packaging the tablets come in. Not all medicines do this, but if you've already thrown away the box, it's worth checking.
3. Reading the Ingredients List (ๆๅใปๅ้)
The ingredients section is labeled ๆๅใปๅ้ and is laid out as a table. It's divided into two parts:
Active ingredients ๏ผๆๅนๆๅ๏ผ
Listed by name and amount in mg. These are the compounds that treat your symptoms โ for example, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or cetirizine.
Inactive ingredients ๏ผๆทปๅ ็ฉ๏ผ
Fillers, binders, and coatings. Relevant if you have allergies to specific excipients.
Every product on OTC Guide Japan includes a full English translation of its ingredients and dosage. Search by medicine name to look one up.
4. Understanding the Warnings Section (ๆณจๆ)
The warnings section is labeled ๆณจๆ and is typically the largest section on the back of the box. Two subsections are the most important to check:
ใใฆใฏใใใชใใใจ โ Do not use if...
Hard contraindications. If any of these apply to you, do not take this medicine โ regardless of your symptoms. Common examples include specific drug allergies, asthma, kidney or liver disease, and pregnancy.
็ธ่ซใใใใจ โ Consult before use if...
Situations where you should check with a pharmacist or doctor first โ such as being pregnant, elderly, or currently taking other medications.
The complete "do not use" and "consult before use" lists for every medicine on this site are translated into English. Find your medicine on OTC Guide Japan to check before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ไฝฟ็จๆ้ mean on a Japanese medicine box?
ไฝฟ็จๆ้ (shiyล kigen) means "expiry date." It is printed in YYYY.MM format โ for example, 2028.09 means the medicine expires in September 2028.
What does ็ฌฌ2้กๅป่ฌๅ mean?
็ฌฌ2้กๅป่ฌๅ means "Class 2 OTC medicine." This category covers most everyday medicines โ cold tablets, allergy pills, and pain relievers. No pharmacist consultation is required to purchase them.
What is ๆๅใปๅ้ on a medicine box?
ๆๅใปๅ้ means "ingredients and amounts." It lists the active ingredients (ๆๅนๆๅ) by name and dosage in mg, followed by inactive ingredients (ๆทปๅ ็ฉ) such as fillers and binders.
What does ใใฆใฏใใใชใใใจ mean?
ใใฆใฏใใใชใใใจ means "things you must not do" โ in other words, hard contraindications. If any of the listed conditions apply to you, do not take the medicine. This is different from ็ธ่ซใใใใจ, which lists situations where you should consult a pharmacist or doctor before use.
Where can I find English information on Japanese OTC medicines?
OTC Guide Japan provides English translations of ingredients, dosage, and warnings for medicines available at Japanese drugstores. Search by medicine name or category.
If you're unsure whether a medicine is right for you, speak with a pharmacist (่ฌๅคๅธซ) or registered salesperson (็ป้ฒ่ฒฉๅฃฒ่ ) at the drugstore. They can help guide you to the right product.