Is Tylenol Allowed in Japan? Panadol, Calonal and Acetaminophen Explained
Yes. Acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol and Panadol (called paracetamol outside the US), is legal and widely sold in Japan. Tylenol A and CALONAL-A are on Japanese pharmacy shelves, and you can generally bring your own single-ingredient supply for personal use.
Quick answer
In a Japanese pharmacy, ask for アセトアミノフェン (asetaminofen). Tylenol A and CALONAL-A each contain 300 mg per tablet and are for people aged 15 and over. Panadol is not usually sold under that name, but its ingredient is the same. Before taking a Japanese cold medicine as well, check it does not also contain acetaminophen.
Bringing a combination product, such as a cold or sinus tablet? Acetaminophen is fine, but other ingredients may not be. Check the whole formula before you travel.
Check my medicationOn this page
Is Tylenol available in Japan?
Yes. Tylenol A (タイレノールA) is a Class 2 over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer in Japan. Each tablet contains 300 mg of acetaminophen, and it is labelled for people aged 15 and over. Follow the directions on the package and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
Not every pharmacy stocks it. If it is not on the shelf, ask for another single-ingredient acetaminophen product.
Do not use overseas Tylenol directions. Japanese Tylenol A contains less per tablet than many overseas products. Follow the Japanese package insert for the exact product you buy.
Can you buy Panadol in Japan?
Panadol is a familiar paracetamol brand in Australia, the UK and elsewhere, but it is not usually the brand on Japanese shelves. That does not mean the ingredient is unavailable. Ask for acetaminophen, or show アセトアミノフェン, and the pharmacist can suggest a product for your age, symptoms and other medicines.
| Name | What it is | How to ask in Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Panadol | An overseas brand of paracetamol | Ask for acetaminophen rather than the brand. |
| Tylenol | An acetaminophen brand; Tylenol A is sold in Japan | Ask for Tylenol A or another single-ingredient product. |
| Calonal | A Japanese acetaminophen brand, prescription and OTC | Say whether you mean a previous prescription or the OTC CALONAL-A. |
| Acetaminophen / paracetamol | The active ingredient | Show アセトアミノフェン. |
Safety first
Do not take two products containing acetaminophen at the same time unless a doctor or pharmacist has told you to. Accidental double dosing can cause serious harm, including liver injury. If you may have taken more than directed, get professional advice promptly, even if you feel well. Call 119 for a serious or life-threatening emergency.
This guide helps you identify acetaminophen products in Japan. It does not give an individual dose, because products differ in strength, age limits, ingredients and directions.
Are acetaminophen and paracetamol the same?
Yes. Acetaminophen is the name used in the United States and Japan; paracetamol is used in Australia, the UK and many other countries. The ingredient is identical; the brand, strength and formulation may differ.
Show the ingredient name, not the brand. Point to アセトアミノフェン rather than asking only for Tylenol or Panadol.
Acetaminophen reduces fever and relieves mild to moderate pain. It does not treat every cold symptom; combination cold products add separate ingredients for cough, congestion or allergy symptoms.
What is Calonal in Japan?
Calonal (カロナール) is a long-established Japanese acetaminophen brand. The name covers prescription products, and since January 2024 an over-the-counter version, CALONAL-A.
Calonal tablets
Prescription Calonal tablets come in 200 mg, 300 mg and 500 mg strengths. A doctor chooses the product and directions for the patient.
CALONAL-A
A Class 2 OTC product launched on 24 January 2024: 300 mg acetaminophen per tablet, for people aged 15 and over.
If you were prescribed Calonal before, do not switch products without checking the strength and directions. Bring your prescription, medicine notebook or medication list when you ask for continued treatment.
Check combination cold and pain medicines carefully
Many Japanese cold medicines contain acetaminophen alongside ingredients for cough, congestion, allergy symptoms or sleep. A common mistake is taking Tylenol A or CALONAL-A and then adding a cold medicine that also contains acetaminophen. Before you combine products, ask a pharmacist to check everything you plan to use, including medicine brought from home, for duplicate acetaminophen.
Check before taking
- Every active ingredient
- How much acetaminophen is in each dose
- The permitted age group
- The minimum interval between doses
- The maximum use shown on the label
- Warnings about alcohol, driving and other medicines
Tell the pharmacist
- What you have already taken today
- All prescription and OTC medicines
- Liver, kidney, heart or stomach conditions
- Regular alcohol use
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Any medicine allergy or asthma reaction
Do not choose by package colour. Products in the same brand family can have different formulas. Read the active ingredients or ask a pharmacist. See Cold and flu medicine in Japan for real examples.
How to ask for acetaminophen at a Japanese pharmacy
Pharmacies are usually marked 薬局 (yakkyoku); drugstores often use ドラッグストア. Class 2 medicines can be bought at either, and staff can answer questions.
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Do you have medicine containing acetaminophen? | アセトアミノフェンの薬はありますか？ Asetaminofen no kusuri wa arimasu ka? |
| I am looking for a medicine containing only acetaminophen. | アセトアミノフェンだけが入っている薬を探しています。 Asetaminofen dake ga haitte iru kusuri o sagashite imasu. |
| Can I take this together with this medicine? | この薬と一緒に飲んでも大丈夫ですか？ Kono kusuri to issho ni nonde mo daijōbu desu ka? |
| I have already taken this medicine today. | 今日、すでにこの薬を飲みました。 Kyō, sudeni kono kusuri o nomimashita. |
You can also look up Japanese OTC products by ingredient in English on the Find OTC Medicines database, and prescription medicines on Kusuri-no-Shiori. These help you understand a medicine but do not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist.
Children, pregnancy and people with medical conditions
Children
Tylenol A and CALONAL-A are not for under-15s. Ask a pharmacist about a product labelled for your child's age. See Buying children's fever and pain medicine in Japan.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Ask a doctor, dentist or pharmacist before choosing an OTC product, especially if symptoms persist or you take other medicines.
Liver or kidney conditions
Get professional advice before use. The right product and directions depend on your health and treatment.
Regular alcohol use
Tell the pharmacist or doctor. Japanese labels warn against alcohol before or after taking acetaminophen.
Can you bring your own Tylenol or Panadol into Japan?
Often, yes, but the limit depends on the product. MHLW's personal-use guidance allows up to two months' supply of non-prescription medicines and up to one month's supply of prescription medicines without advance paperwork. Japan sells acetaminophen both as prescription medicines (such as Calonal tablets) and as over-the-counter products (such as Tylenol A and CALONAL-A), so do not assume your Tylenol or Panadol falls under the two-month limit. If it was prescribed to you, or you are unsure which category your exact product falls into, ask the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare before you travel. Keep it in its original box.
Combination products are different. "Cold and flu", "sinus", "PM" and "day and night" versions of Tylenol or Panadol may contain pseudoephedrine, codeine or sedating ingredients that Japan regulates separately. Products containing more than 10% pseudoephedrine are classed as stimulant raw materials in Japan and need advance permission from the Narcotics Control Department. Products with 10% or less are excluded, but check the label concentration of any combination product before you pack it.
Packing more than plain paracetamol? Get each active ingredient, strength and quantity checked against current published guidance before you fly.
Get my medication assessed (from US$59)See also the prohibited and restricted medication guide for Japan and Is Benadryl allowed in Japan?
When should you see a doctor instead of self-treating?
Fever or pain can have causes that need assessment rather than repeated OTC treatment. Get medical advice for:
- difficulty breathing, chest pain or collapse
- confusion, severe drowsiness, weakness or a seizure
- a sudden severe headache, stiff neck or neurological symptoms
- significant bleeding, severe abdominal pain or repeated vomiting
- a serious allergic reaction, facial swelling or widespread blistering rash
- a possible overdose or double dose
- fever in a very young child or a medically vulnerable person
For suitable non-emergency concerns, MedicTranslate can help you find foreign-friendly clinics. A clinician decides what care is appropriate.
Need help with a medicine in Japan?
MedicTranslate assesses medicines you plan to bring to Japan, translates prescriptions and medication lists, and arranges interpreters for selected appointments. Dosing and prescribing remain with licensed healthcare professionals.
- Written assessment of each medicine against current published guidance
- Prescriptions and medication lists translated into Japanese
- Interpreter support for clinic and pharmacy visits
Assessment price in US dollars. An assessment is information, not a clearance or legal advice. Translation quotes depend on document length and language pair. Subject to the applicable terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tylenol allowed in Japan?
Yes. Acetaminophen is legal in Japan, Tylenol A is sold in Japanese pharmacies, and you can often bring single-ingredient Tylenol for personal use. Whether the one-month (prescription) or two-month (non-prescription) limit applies depends on the product, so ask the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare if you are unsure. Check combination versions before packing them.
Are acetaminophen and paracetamol the same?
Yes. They are two names for the same active ingredient. Brand names, strengths and package directions can still differ.
Can I buy Tylenol in Japan?
Yes. Tylenol A is a Class 2 OTC pain reliever and fever reducer containing 300 mg of acetaminophen per tablet, for people aged 15 and over. Stock varies, so ask for acetaminophen if it is not on the shelf.
Can I buy Panadol in Japan?
Panadol is not usually sold under that name in Japan. Ask for acetaminophen or show the ingredient name アセトアミノフェン.
Is Calonal the same as Tylenol?
Both contain acetaminophen. The OTC versions, CALONAL-A and Tylenol A, both contain 300 mg per tablet, but prescription Calonal comes in other strengths. Always check the exact product and directions.
What is the maximum daily dose?
There is no single answer that safely applies to every product and person. Follow the exact Japanese label or the instructions of a doctor or pharmacist.
Can I take Japanese cold medicine with Tylenol or Calonal?
Not until the active ingredients have been checked. Many cold medicines already contain acetaminophen or other ingredients that should not be doubled up.
Can children take Tylenol A or CALONAL-A?
No. Both are labelled for people aged 15 and over. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for a children's product based on age and weight.
Can MedicTranslate tell me which dose to take?
No. Dosing and treatment advice must come from a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional. MedicTranslate provides medication assessments for travel, translation, interpreting and healthcare coordination.
This article provides general information reviewed on 28 September 2026. It does not recommend a medicine or dose for any individual. Product availability, packaging and directions change, so read the current Japanese package insert and consult a doctor or pharmacist, particularly for children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, chronic illness, regular alcohol use, allergies or other medicines. Import information summarises published guidance and is not legal advice. MedicTranslate does not give medical advice. Call 119 for a serious or life-threatening emergency in Japan.
- Find OTC Medicines: Tylenol A
- Tylenol Japan: Tylenol A product information (Japanese)
- Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare: CALONAL-A launch announcement, January 2024 (Japanese)
- MHLW/PMDA: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Safety Information No. 405 (acetaminophen precaution revisions, 2023)
- PMDA: Revision of precautions for over-the-counter acetaminophen products (oral and suppository), 17 January 2023 (Japanese)
- MHLW: Bringing medicines for personal use into Japan
- Narcotics Control Department: carrying narcotics and stimulant raw materials (English)