Over-the-counter in Japan, prescription drug abroad

Lulu Attack EX Premium

Brand: Daiichi Sankyo

Price: 1500 yen

Place of purchase: Sugi Drugstore

Rating:

Autumn 2025 has a surge of cold and flu cases. The health ministry has declared that flu cases have exceeded the epidemic alert level. School closures are increasing, too, as teachers and students fall ill. And it's my turn this week. I appear to have a cold with a mild sore throat and stuffed-up sinuses. At a Sugi Drugstore, I picked up a two-day supply of Ruru Attack Ex Premium. The primary ingredients are 600 mg of ibuprofen and 750 mg of tranexamic acid. The ibuprofen eases the sinus pressure, and the tranexamic acid, an anti-inflammatory, relieves sore throat.

This stuff works well to relieve cold symptoms. For two days of relief from the worst of a cold, it's good value. At the drugstore counter, the staff showed me a caution about usage. They asked me to confirm that I'm not taking any other medication and that you're over 15 years old. The dose of ibuprofen is typical of cold remedies. However, note that the tanexamic acid is an over-the-counter medicine in Japan. It's prescription-only in many other countries, so if you recommend it to visitors from abroad, remind them not to take it home!