Adult ADD prescriptions in Japan...

[jsking]

Hello all,

I've just found this site, and I'm amazed by the amout of info here! I'm going to be moving from the US to Japan in June. I'll be living in Tsukuba and working at a pharmacutical company there. I've been taking prescription dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall is the brand name) for several years and it's been an absolute blessing with respect to my personal and professional organization etc.

My question is regarding the legality of this medication in Japan. I've looked around on the web and haven't found anything definite, so I figured I'd ask here. Is it legal to posses amphetimines for ADD treatment in Japan? My gut feeling is that it is, afterall Japan is the #2 consumer of pharmacuticals... but just wanted to ask anyway.


Cheers,

Spencer

[trip_hop]

Don't try to bring them in without contacting the agency below:

Regarding Narcotics, Psychotropic drugs, Stimulants etc., please contact the following office by Facsimile :
* Charge of Opium of Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Fax : +81-3-3501-0034

You'll need to get them prescribed. It should be available in late 2004 from ShireLabs in Japan. In the meantime, the generic is available on prescription, but bring a good supply with you until you can locate a psychiatrist who can prescribe it.

[truth hurts]

or you can buy bikers speed in Shibuya anytime you want......

[truth hurts]

working at a pharmacutical company there

Or just cook it up @ the office!

[jsking]

Wow! Such fast responses

Thanks trip hop, I'll look them up before I head over. I plan on taking a month's supply with me, but in the US amphetemines are a controlled substance so I cannot have more than one month's worth at any time.

Thanks again!

Spencer

[dtj1974]

jsking,
I just started taking adderall a couple months ago. I feel great when I'm on it, but I noticed that if I stop taking it now I feel totally depressed, lethargic and unmotivated. Has this ever hapened to you?

..not exactly the same subject as this thread, but I had to ask.

[scottia]

You are normaly allowed to bring Medication into japan. However please ensure you have several documents to prove this.
Have you medication in its box and packaged corectly.
Do not try to hide it.
Ensure you have a letter from your doctor confirming your diagnosis and treatment regime.
Have a prescription from your doctor. this shows it is a legal medication.

Do not bring any more than is needed.

Finally if you have any worries please contact the japanese embassy oin your country. They may be able to help.

good luck

[jsking]

I thought I'd mention my experience with this issue, now that I'm living in Japan.

1) If you want to get a prescription, you need to go to a hospital with a psych. section. Same as in US, but thought I'd mention it.

2) The doctor I went to in a hospital near tsukuba was really helpful; most Japanese doctors will try to accommodate you as much as they can, even if their English is poor. In my case, I brought along a friend who helped with the language issue, though even without a translator I think it would have been alright. Most doctors need to read a lot of medical journals which are in English, so they're familiar with the English terms for their field... just write down your symptoms in the correct medical terminology and you should be ok. (not a problem for me since I work in pharmaceuticals, but you might want to read up on it)

3) Amphetamines are all illegal in Japan. So you'll not be able to get Adderall (this also applies to anyone seeking treatment of narcolepsy.) Ritalin (and its generic) are available and, though less potent of a stimulant, seem to have reasonably similar effects (at least in my case). The only caution I'd give you is that you might have to increase the frequency of dosage by about 20% or so, because it's not as long acting.

4) If you are on the government medical plan everything is DIRT CHEAP in Japan. My 30minute visit with a doctor was 2100 yen, and a month's supply of my prescription was 800 yen. Pretty good I think.

5) The doctor will probably not be familiar with ADD except in a very academic sense, so don't be alarmed if they look at you funny for a brief moment. ADD is rarely diagnosed in Japan, and almost solely for young boys under 12. But, again, if you explain yourself, and have proof of your prescription from the USA, the doctor will be happy to help.

All of this info must be read with the knowledge that I am NOT A DOCTOR, so don't take my personal experience with a change in medication as a guide for you. Each person's brain chemistry is different, so mileage may vary, no warranty implied.


Cheers,

Spencer

[Canadiangrrl]

Hi there,
I was wondering if anyones knows if the anti-depressant meds Effexer and Wellbutrin are available in Japan. I to am on meds for ADD dexadrine. I have a 6 month supply from my dr. but am wondering if I will have a problem bringing that amount into the country. Thanks for any information

[swordfishtrombone]

try accessing the global websites of the pharm companies, or even contacting their customer reps. some companies market their drugs here under different names, so it can be hard to find. also, if you have a cooperative doctor, they have special privileges to import certain drugs, which could also be an option.

[TheCureItself]

this has been around for quite some time... bumping link for those whom don't know.

[koufun]

I thought I'd mention my experience with this issue, now that I'm living in Japan.

1) If you want to get a prescription, you need to go to a hospital with a psych. section. Same as in US, but thought I'd mention it.

2) The doctor I went to in a hospital near tsukuba was really helpful; most Japanese doctors will try to accommodate you as much as they can, even if their English is poor. In my case, I brought along a friend who helped with the language issue, though even without a translator I think it would have been alright. Most doctors need to read a lot of medical journals which are in English, so they're familiar with the English terms for their field... just write down your symptoms in the correct medical terminology and you should be ok. (not a problem for me since I work in pharmaceuticals, but you might want to read up on it)

3) Amphetamines are all illegal in Japan. So you'll not be able to get Adderall (this also applies to anyone seeking treatment of narcolepsy.) Ritalin (and its generic) are available and, though less potent of a stimulant, seem to have reasonably similar effects (at least in my case). The only caution I'd give you is that you might have to increase the frequency of dosage by about 20% or so, because it's not as long acting.

4) If you are on the government medical plan everything is DIRT CHEAP in Japan. My 30minute visit with a doctor was 2100 yen, and a month's supply of my prescription was 800 yen. Pretty good I think.

5) The doctor will probably not be familiar with ADD except in a very academic sense, so don't be alarmed if they look at you funny for a brief moment. ADD is rarely diagnosed in Japan, and almost solely for young boys under 12. But, again, if you explain yourself, and have proof of your prescription from the USA, the doctor will be happy to help.

All of this info must be read with the knowledge that I am NOT A DOCTOR, so don't take my personal experience with a change in medication as a guide for you. Each person's brain chemistry is different, so mileage may vary, no warranty implied.


Cheers,

Spencer

1) If you want a prescription it is true you can go to a hospital with a psychiatry section but you can just as well go to your local "seishinka" （精神科 - psychiatric clinic).

5) Psychiatrists in Japan are very familiar with ADD, just as they are with any other mental disorders in the American DSM VI or the WHO's ICD - 10. Japanese psychiatrists do diagnose ADD when appropriate but are very careful not to over diagnose ADD in young children of either gender and are also less enthusiastic than some American psychiatrists to prescribe Ritalin to children because of its addictive properties.

[koufun]

Hi there,
I was wondering if anyones knows if the anti-depressant meds Effexer and Wellbutrin are available in Japan. I to am on meds for ADD dexadrine. I have a 6 month supply from my dr. but am wondering if I will have a problem bringing that amount into the country. Thanks for any information

Effexer and Wellbutrin are not available in Japan. Alternatives for anti-depressant medications which are illegal for prescription in Japan (such as Welbutrin and the SSRI Prozac, which have not completed clinical trials in Japan in order to be approved for prescription in Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) are available. Lovox (rubokkusu in Japanese), Paxil (pakishiru in Japanese) and Zoloft (J-zorofuto in Japanese) are available in Japan as they are all approved for prescription in Japan by MoHWL licensed doctors and psychiatrists. Paxil, Luvox and Zoloft are all SSRIs and are widely prescribed here for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders too.

[Majestic]

G'day Koufun & TheCureItself,

I think you'll find that Ritalin is no longer available in Japan. I was under the impression that the authorities restricted Ritalin when they found it was being overprescribed... but I don't have all the information at hand. It will probably show up on a Google search. They do still prescribe Concerta, maybe others too. It is available for children up to the age of 18.

Bumping a 5-year thread on this stuff is a bit tricky since the laws and the available drugs can change a lot...

Maj

Edit: Just looking at the Novartis Japan website... looks like Ritalin is available for adults who have narcolepsy, but only through pharmacies that have registered with a 3rd Party Ritalin Distribution Committee. http://www.novartis.co.jp/product/ri...e_rit0809.html

[Vitolic Frolic]

Effexer and Wellbutrin are not available in Japan. Alternatives for anti-depressant medications which are illegal for prescription in Japan (such as Welbutrin and the SSRI Prozac, which have not completed clinical trials in Japan in order to be approved for prescription in Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) are available. Lovox (rubokkusu in Japanese), Paxil (pakishiru in Japanese) and Zoloft (J-zorofuto in Japanese) are available in Japan as they are all approved for prescription in Japan by MoHWL licensed doctors and psychiatrists. Paxil, Luvox and Zoloft are all SSRIs and are widely prescribed here for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders too.

Japan is very limited in terms of anti-depressant medication. For such a big player in the pharm industry this was very surprising to me. For example, Citalopram and Escitalopram have still yet to be approved. Not to mention a horde of tricyclics and other proven agonists.

Sertaline (Zoloft) is available here and has recently caught my attention due to its ability to block the re-uptake of dopamine.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32...ptakeblock.jpg

Basically, it blows every other player out of the water in this regard. If you're on anti-depressants for anxiety or anxiety induced depression, you may want to look into this option.

[luskie]

Anything that contains Amphetamines (That includes Adderall, Dexedrine, etc) is illegal in Japan and you'll face prison time for possessing just even 1 pill.

Up until 2007, Ritalin was used to treat ADD/ADHD in Japan. In 2007, Japan felt that doctors were over prescribing and abusing it so they withdrew Ritalin for treatment of ADD patients. Which makes it harder for people who really need the medicine to get it, but anyway....

Now, Ritalin is only approved for narcolepsy in Japan.

I used to take Dexedrine in the States for my ADD, but I also take it because I am extremely tired without it. I switched to Ritalin when I came to Japan. It's not as powerful as Dexedrine, but it helps me function. I was able to bring it in through an import certificate.

Recently, I tried to get Ritalin for my condition in Japan. I first went to a "naika" (Internal Medicine) and he ran some tests to make sure my condition wasn't because of anything physical. I asked him about getting Ritalin, and he told me that it absolutely cannot be prescribed for ADD (only narcolepsy). Also, he said it has to be prescribed by special Psychiatrists that are licensed to dispense it. As I feel extremely tired without Ritalin, I decided to see if I could get prescribed Ritalin to treat "narcolepsy." The doctor referred me to the Psychiatry ward of a big hospital.

Once I went to the big hospital, I handed in my referral slip and wrote that I was currently taking Ritalin to treat my excessive sleepiness and wanted to get some more. I brought all my relevant medical records and prescriptions from the States to prove that I had been given the medicine by a doctor.

That psychiatrist told me that the laws in Japan are extremely strict on Ritalin, and I couldn't receive Ritalin from this hospital. If I want Ritalin, I need to be seen by a doctor specializing in narcolepsy.

Other ADD medications like Concerta are approved, but for patients UNDER 20 years old. The Internalist told me that a patient over 20 with ADD is pretty much out of luck in Japan.

So, I have to go back to my home country to get the medication and mess around with a yakkan shoumei. Ugh.

[alphaflight]

Bumping this thread, because as far as Google knows it is the sole useful English language source of ADD in Japan info the entire internet (okay, the US consulate's page is alright too, but I'm not an American).

I'm currently in Canada. I was recently diagnosed with ADD inattentive, and prescribed adderall. Too soon to know if it will be life altering, but seems alright so far.

My questions are this, if anybody knows:

1. Is there any hope of the Japanese medical/political establishment changing their stance toward adderall in the near future? Big pharma lobbies have to be good for something, and it's not like there isn't a mountain of evidence that ADD is a genuine neurological diagnosis, with adderall widely cited as most effective treatment, and with fewer side effects than ritalin.

2. If Ritalin is legal but largely impossible to have prescribed within Japan as an adult, is it legal/possible to have it shipped from outside the country? ( I see mention of yakkan shoumei above, never had to use one before).

[YokohamaTommy]

Edited for accuracy:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/

[well_bicyclically]

Bumping this thread, because as far as Google knows it is the sole useful English language source of ADD in Japan info the entire internet (okay, the US consulate's page is alright too, but I'm not an American).

I'm currently in Canada. ......

I am already bored with your post. Will taking drugs make me more attentive, or minimize the feeling of guilt at being so bored so quickly???

I would check out sites for ADD, but I have lost all interest in that too....

If I am bored with your post AND I have a strong desire for expensive coffee, could I be suffering from ADD&Deluca??

[luskie]

Love all the medical doctors on here who think they can disprove the existence of medical conditions!

1. Probably not. Adderall contains amphetamines which have a high potential for abuse. All these overworked business men popping adderall? I see a few heart attacks from that. Although who knows, lexapro (antidepressant) came to the Japanese market recently.

2. As far as I know, Ritalin cannot be mailed into Japan because it's a psychotropic substance. You have to bring it in person, with your yakkan shomei.

[YokohamaTommy]

Love all the medical doctors on here who think they can disprove the existence of medical conditions!

I'll have you know I am sooo a Doctor.
In fact, It says so right here on my Driver's licence...

Oh..wait..that's the abbreviation for "drive" in my address.

Oh crap....
I...may have to leave town right now...for totally unrelated reasons, I assure you.

[alphaflight]

ADD is a non-existent disease prescribed by complete quacks.
You have been taking uppers for no reason at all other than to allow your mother to drink more wine in peace.
Sorry to inform you that your whole life of vicitim-hood has been a lie.

You can always tell who hasn't read a magazine article since 1996.

Advancements made in neural imaging over the past decade have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt this is a real thing. Four main typologies have been isolated, relating to brain states at levels outside ordinary stimular parameters:



Multiple factors can give rise to this; hypodopaminergic state relating to poor neurotransmitter production in the substantia nigra or the ventral tegmental area. Overactive cortical inhibitory mechanisms, particularly an imbalance or overproduction of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Disregulation of the reticular activating system. There is also likely a neuropsychological correlate with various aspects of the limbic system, particularly amygdala activity.

In other words, it's a pathology which involves a whole lot of moving parts, each or all of which can contribute to it.

Love all the medical doctors on here who think they can disprove the existence of medical conditions!

1. Probably not. Adderall contains amphetamines which have a high potential for abuse. All these overworked business men popping adderall? I see a few heart attacks from that. Although who knows, lexapro (antidepressant) came to the Japanese market recently.

2. As far as I know, Ritalin cannot be mailed into Japan because it's a psychotropic substance. You have to bring it in person, with your yakkan shomei.

Thanks for answering like an adult. That sounds likely, I'll double check the latter with the consulate.

[YokohamaTommy]

You can always tell who hasn't read a magazine article since 1996.

Advancements made in neural imaging over the past decade have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt this is a real thing. Four main typologies have been isolated, relating to brain states at levels outside ordinary stimular parameters:



Multiple factors can give rise to this; hypodopaminergic state relating to poor neurotransmitter production in the substantia nigra or the ventral tegmental area. Overactive cortical inhibitory mechanisms, particularly an imbalance or overproduction of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Disregulation of the reticular activating system. There is also likely a neuropsychological correlate with various aspects of the limbic system, particularly amygdala activity.

In other words, it's a pathology which involves a whole lot of moving parts, each or all of which can contribute to it.

ARGGH. Further investigation appears my information is rather outdated, as you mentioned.
You are correct of course.
My mistake!

[alphaflight]

ARGGH. Further investigation appears my information is rather outdated, as you mentioned.
You are correct of course.
My mistake!

It's cool, you score points for being big enough to admit it. An awful lot of people don't know how to do that.

[Etoile_]

Does anybody know the status of Strattera for use in Japan? It's the only available way to get atomoxetine in the US, I don't know if it's available as a generic in other countries. It is also prescribed for ADHD; I have been on it for about 10 years. (Was on dexedrine for 10 years before that, prefer not to get into the details of ADHD and whether or not it exists.)

Strattera isn't an amphetamine and it isn't a stimulant. So I'm wondering if perhaps it would fall under different regulations. I did some yakkan shoumei research before my trip last year, but ended up just bringing my meds in and not declaring them at customs; I was there for 85 days and didn't have any issues, but if I move there for a year (as I'm planning) that will not be a possibility.

[dangerdog]

Does anybody know the status of Strattera for use in Japan? It's the only available way to get atomoxetine in the US, I don't know if it's available as a generic in other countries. It is also prescribed for ADHD; I have been on it for about 10 years. (Was on dexedrine for 10 years before that, prefer not to get into the details of ADHD and whether or not it exists.)

Strattera isn't an amphetamine and it isn't a stimulant. So I'm wondering if perhaps it would fall under different regulations. I did some yakkan shoumei research before my trip last year, but ended up just bringing my meds in and not declaring them at customs; I was there for 85 days and didn't have any issues, but if I move there for a year (as I'm planning) that will not be a possibility.

And you can get an RX for it for ADHD.

Source? A doctor I talked to this week.

[luskie]

And you can get an RX for it for ADHD.

Source? A doctor I talked to this week.

Yes, you can get an RX for it, if you're under 18. If you still take it when you turn 18, it's up to your doctor whether you can continue taking it.

Looks like it might change soon though:

"Eli Lilly Japan Applies for Strattera for AD/HD in Adults(Oct.13.2011)
Eli Lilly Japan announced on October 12 that the company filed an application on the same day for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (AD/HD) Strattera (atomoxetine HCl) for AD/HD in adulthood as an additional indication. If approved, Strattera will be Japan’s first treatment for AD/HD in adulthood.

Strattera inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine, which is believed to be related to AD/HD. The drug was approved for AD/HD in patients aged six to 17. Treatment with Strattera is permitted after the 18th anniversary if the doctor recognizes the need for continued treatment in previously treated patients."

http://pj.jiho.jp/servlet/pjh/busine...564686541.html

[sinfoid]

Just wanted to add my own personal experience here. Adderall, and anything that contains amphetamines is banned(the Japanese are paranoid about anything that can be used to make crystal meth, which is why Nyquil and the like are also banned, which sucks when you have a cold but anyway)

Stratterra is available for adults BUT it comes at a very steep price. The national health insurance only covers it for children, so if you are using the national health insurance or your own insurance doesn't cover it, be prepared to pay. It was something like 40,000+ yen for a 1 month supply at 50 mg a day. You might be able to get it for slightly less as my doctor wrote a prescription for 5x10mg, but 2x25 mg is going to be cheaper, but probably by at most 10k yen or so. So we are talking about $400 USD/month for the stuff. And since it's really only approved for children they don't have the bigger sizes, I know in the US they have a 50 mg pill which would probably lower the cost to around 20,000 yen a month for an adult, but unless you can get it in the US and have it shipped you are out of luck.

Ironically there is a drug in Japan that has been banned in the US for adult ADD, is covered by the national health insurance, and is available in a generic called betanamin. Supposedly they pulled it in the US due to a very small # of liver problems in children who took the drug, but I have been using it for about a year now and my liver is fine. The actual cost of the drug is only something like 1,000 yen a month or so for 100 mg/day, though you can only get a 30 day supply before you need a new prescription from your doctor. I go to a therapist which obviously adds cost, but not sure if you can get a prescription without doing so.

Best of luck to you

Yes, you can get an RX for it, if you're under 18. If you still take it when you turn 18, it's up to your doctor whether you can continue taking it.

Looks like it might change soon though:

"Eli Lilly Japan Applies for Strattera for AD/HD in Adults(Oct.13.2011)
Eli Lilly Japan announced on October 12 that the company filed an application on the same day for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (AD/HD) Strattera (atomoxetine HCl) for AD/HD in adulthood as an additional indication. If approved, Strattera will be Japan’s first treatment for AD/HD in adulthood.

Strattera inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine, which is believed to be related to AD/HD. The drug was approved for AD/HD in patients aged six to 17. Treatment with Strattera is permitted after the 18th anniversary if the doctor recognizes the need for continued treatment in previously treated patients."

http://pj.jiho.jp/servlet/pjh/busine...564686541.html

[SfumatoPants]

As I understand it, there is no LAW about prescribing ADD meds for adults, it is merely a ministry guideline. As a guideline it is possible to find a Psych who is willing to prescribe for adults. They may take some patience to find (Think private practice), but there are doctors out there who do take their oath seriously.