Is My Medication Available in Japan? The Complete Table
Most mainstream psychiatric medications are approved in Japan, but several familiar ones, including Prozac, Adderall, and bupropion, are not. The tables below cover the psychiatric medications English speakers most often arrive with, checked against Japan's approved drug list as of the date at the end of this article. Approvals change, so confirm your specific medicine with a doctor before you travel.
Which antidepressants are available in Japan?
Most are approved; fluoxetine, bupropion, and a few others are not.
| You know it as | Generic | In Japan? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoloft | sertraline | Yes | J Zoloft; lower maximum dose in Japan |
| Lexapro / Cipralex | escitalopram | Yes | Lexapro |
| Paxil / Seroxat | paroxetine | Yes | Generic tablets, and Paxil CR (approved for depression only) |
| Luvox / Faverin | fluvoxamine | Yes | |
| Cymbalta | duloxetine | Yes | |
| Effexor | venlafaxine | Yes | Extended-release only |
| Remeron | mirtazapine | Yes | |
| Trintellix | vortioxetine | Yes | |
| Desyrel | trazodone | Yes | Reslin and generics |
| Zurzuvae | zuranolone | Yes | Same brand name (ザズベイ, Zazubei, in Japanese); approved for depression and taken as a 14-day course (the zuranolone article) |
| Prozac | fluoxetine | No | Another SSRI is used instead (Prozac in Japan) |
| Wellbutrin / Zyban | bupropion | No | No close relative; the plan is individual (Wellbutrin in Japan) |
| Celexa | citalopram | No | Escitalopram, a close relative, is available |
| Pristiq | desvenlafaxine | No | Venlafaxine, a close relative, is available |
| MAOIs (Nardil, Parnate) | phenelzine etc. | No | No MAOI antidepressants are approved |
How switching is handled: the antidepressant guide.
Which sleep medications are available?
The newer sleep medicines are approved; temazepam is not, and melatonin is not sold over the counter.
| You know it as | Generic | In Japan? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belsomra | suvorexant | Yes | |
| Dayvigo | lemborexant | Yes | |
| Quviviq | daridorexant | Yes | |
| Rozerem | ramelteon | Yes | Also sold without a prescription as Rozerem S since 2026 |
| Ambien | zolpidem | Yes | Controlled psychotropic; an in-person visit for that condition is required before it can be prescribed online |
| Lunesta | eszopiclone | Yes | |
| Restoril | temazepam | No | Other benzodiazepine sleeping pills are available |
| Melatonin (OTC) | melatonin | Not OTC | Prescription product for children only; why, and what to use instead |
Which anxiety medications are available?
The common benzodiazepines are approved; buspirone is not, and a related medicine, tandospirone, is used instead.
| You know it as | Generic | In Japan? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xanax | alprazolam | Yes | Solanax / Constan |
| Ativan | lorazepam | Yes | Wypax |
| Valium | diazepam | Yes | Cercine / Horizon (Valium in Japan) |
| Klonopin | clonazepam | Yes | Approved for epilepsy, not for anxiety |
| Buspar | buspirone | No | Not sold in Japan; tandospirone, a related medicine, is used |
| Vistaril / Atarax | hydroxyzine | Yes |
How anxiety is treated with medication here: the anti-anxiety guide.
Which ADHD medications are available?
Concerta, Strattera, and Intuniv are approved; Vyvanse is for children only; Adderall is banned.
| You know it as | Generic | In Japan? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adderall / Dexedrine | amphetamine | No, banned | Cannot be brought into Japan in any amount |
| Concerta | methylphenidate ER | Yes | Registration system (how it works) |
| Ritalin | methylphenidate IR | Exists, not for ADHD | Approved for narcolepsy only |
| Vyvanse | lisdexamfetamine | Children only | Started at ages 6 to 17; cannot be started in adults |
| Strattera | atomoxetine | Yes | Generics available |
| Intuniv | guanfacine ER | Yes |
The import rules differ by medicine, and some are stricter than for any other class: the rules for bringing ADHD medication into Japan.
Which antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are available?
All of the common ones are approved except cariprazine and ziprasidone.
| You know it as | Generic | In Japan? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilify | aripiprazole | Yes | |
| Seroquel | quetiapine | Yes | Incl. an extended-release form for bipolar depression |
| Zyprexa | olanzapine | Yes | |
| Risperdal | risperidone | Yes | |
| Latuda | lurasidone | Yes | Incl. bipolar depression |
| Rexulti | brexpiprazole | Yes | |
| Vraylar | cariprazine | No | |
| Geodon | ziprasidone | No | |
| Lithium | lithium carbonate | Yes | Regular blood tests |
| Depakote | valproate | Yes | |
| Lamictal | lamotrigine | Yes | |
| Tegretol | carbamazepine | Yes |
Which other medicines do people ask about?
Esketamine and naltrexone are not approved in Japan; propranolol is, but not for anxiety.
| You know it as | Generic | In Japan? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spravato | esketamine | No | Ketamine is a controlled substance in Japan |
| Naltrexone (for alcohol) | naltrexone | No | Nalmefene and acamprosate are used instead |
| Propranolol | propranolol | Yes | Approved for conditions such as high blood pressure, angina, heart rhythm problems, and migraine prevention; not for anxiety |
What should you do next?
Find your medicine in the tables, then plan around the answer:
- Yes: bring your records, carry a legal supply (the import rules), and book an appointment early.
- No: plan the switch before you move, or soon after arrival with your records. Many gaps have a close relative or an established alternative; bupropion is the clearest exception.
- ADHD medication: read the ADHD guides first. Some ADHD medicines have stricter import rules than any other class, and Concerta has its own registration system.
Frequently asked questions
This article is general information, not medical advice for your individual situation. Confirm your specific medication with a doctor before making travel or treatment decisions.
Medically reviewed by our psychiatrist (M.D.). Updated October 16, 2026.