Ibuprofen in Japan: OTC Medicines That Contain It
Advil and Nurofen are not sold at Japanese drugstores — but ibuprofen is. Here's where to find it.
If you're looking for ibuprofen in Japan, you won't find Advil, Nurofen, or any other familiar brand on the shelf. But ibuprofen itself is widely available — it's just sold under completely different Japanese brand names. Most of the products listed below can be found at any drugstore (ドラッグストア) in Japan.
On a Japanese medicine label, ibuprofen is written as イブプロフェン. Look for that in the ingredients section (成分・分量) on the back of the box.
Ibuprofen in Pain Relievers (鎮痛剤)
The following pain relief medicines registered on OTC Guide Japan contain ibuprofen as an active ingredient. Click any product name for full English ingredients, dosage, and warnings.
| Medicine | Ibuprofen per dose | |
|---|---|---|
 | Eve A | 150 mg / 2 tablets |
 | Eve A EX | 200 mg / 2 tablets |
 | Eve Quick | 150 mg / 2 tablets |
 | Eve Quick for Headache DX | 200 mg / 2 tablets |
 | Ringl IB | 150 mg / 1 capsule |
 | Ringl IB α200 | 200 mg / 1 capsule |
 | Bufferin Premium | 130 mg / 2 tablets |
 | Bufferin Lunai | 130 mg / 2 tablets |
 | Bufferin Premium DX Quick+ | 160 mg / 2 tablets |
 | L-Pain Kowa Alpha | 200 mg / 1 tablet |
 | Naron Ace Premium | 150 mg / 2 tablets |
 | Norshin Pure | 150 mg / 2 tablets |
Ibuprofen in Cold Medicine (風邪薬)
Ibuprofen is also an active ingredient in many Japanese cold medicines (風邪薬). These are multi-symptom combination products — ibuprofen is included to relieve fever, sore throat, and body pain alongside other cold symptom ingredients.
| Medicine | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 | Lulu Attack CX Premium | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Lulu Attack EX | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Lulu Attack EX Premium | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Lulu Attack NX Premium | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Contac EX | Contains ibuprofen |
 | New Contac Cold General DX | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Stona EX Tablets | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Stona IB Gel EX | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Estac EX Neo | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Colgen Kowa IB TX Alpha | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Pabron Ace Pro-X Tablets | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Pabron Select T | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Estac Ibu | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Jikineen First Neo | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Benzablock IP Premium DX | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Benzablock L Premium DX | Contains ibuprofen |
 | Benzablock T Premium DX | Contains ibuprofen |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ibuprofen available over the counter in Japan?
Yes. Ibuprofen is available without a prescription at Japanese drugstores (ドラッグストア). It is sold under Japanese brand names — Advil and Nurofen are not sold at Japanese drugstores.
What is the Japanese equivalent of Advil or Nurofen?
There is no direct equivalent sold under the same brand name. However, several Japanese OTC products contain ibuprofen as the active ingredient, including Eve A, Ringl IB, and Bufferin Premium.
How do I find ibuprofen on a Japanese medicine label?
Look for イブプロフェン in the ingredients section (成分・分量) on the back of the box. This is the Japanese writing for "ibuprofen."
Is ibuprofen (イブプロフェン) also in Japanese cold medicine?
Yes. Many Japanese cold medicines (風邪薬) include ibuprofen alongside other active ingredients to address multiple symptoms. Check the 成分・分量 section on the packaging to confirm.
If you're unsure whether a medicine is right for you, speak with a pharmacist (薬剤師) or registered salesperson (登録販売者) at the drugstore. They can help guide you to the right product.