The Legal Status of Common US Medications in Japan
This chart was NOT compiled by a medical professional. Rather, it was created via comparing ingredients listed in various medications via Drugs.com with the Controlled Substances Lists provided by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and Japan’s Narcotics Control Department.
Special Notes on Adderall, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine (ADHD Medications):
Japan lists Amphetamine, and by extension Dexamphetamine, as substances completely illegal to bring into Japan. While only Adderall lists Amphetamine as an ingredient, Vyvanse lists Lisdexamfetamine, and both Adderall and Dexedrine list Dextroamphetamine as ingredients. Lisdexamfetamine is listed as a Stimulants’ Raw Material and Dextroamphetamine is not listed as a controlled substance at all.
However, after speaking with professionals, I found that Lisdexamfetamine and Dextroamphetamine for legal purposes are considered “Amphetamine Salts”, and thus they are often treated the same as if “Amphetamine” was listed as an ingredient.
For that reason, I STRONGLY urge individuals taking both Dexedrine and Vyvanse, as well as their generic name counterparts, to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin Sho (regardless of if their listed ingredients are named or not) if they traveling to Japan and take these medications or reach out to [email protected] to further confirm if either medication is allowed into Japan and, if so, under what circumstances/requirements.
This chart was last updated on January 23rd, 2024.
PLEASE use the article linked below for further information and links to check for the most up to date information on legal medication in Japan via Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and Japan's Narcotics Control Department.
ALWAYS double check the status of your medications and understand that this chart is meant to act as a starting point for research, not an end point.