Claritin in Japan: Available OTC — Same Loratadine, No Prescription Needed
Claritin EX is Japan's version of Claritin — same loratadine 10 mg, once daily. Available at most drugstores and on Amazon Japan.
Claritin is sold in Japan — no substitute needed. It's right there at most drugstores, under the name Claritin EX (クラリチンEX), made by Taisho Pharmaceutical (大正製薬).
It treats nasal allergy symptoms caused by pollen or house dust — specifically runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing.
The active ingredient is loratadine 10 mg — same as the US, Canada, and Australia. One tablet, once a day. Because loratadine has low penetration into the brain, it's non-sedating: it won't make you drowsy or affect your concentration.
On Japanese labels, loratadine is written as ロラタジン. You'll find it in the ingredients section (成分・分量) on the back of the box.
Claritin EX (クラリチンEX)
| Product | Active ingredient | Dosage | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Claritin EX クラリチンEX |
Loratadine 10 mg / tablet | 1 tablet, once daily (15+) |
💊 How to take it
Take 1 tablet once daily, after a meal. Take at the same time every day. For seasonal allergies like hay fever (花粉症), it works best when started early — as soon as symptoms begin once pollen starts scattering. Adults and teens 15 years and older only — not for children under 15.
Ingredients: What's in Each Tablet
Each tablet contains just three ingredients:
- Active: Loratadine (ロラタジン) 10 mg
- Inactive: Lactose, corn starch, magnesium stearate
Same formula as what you'd find in the US or Europe.
Claritin EX comes in 14-tablet (14-day), 28-tablet (28-day), and 42-tablet (42-day) packs. The tablets are small, white, and round — easy to take once a day. They come in a PTP blister sheet (press-through packaging, the kind where you push the tablet through the foil on the back).
Claritin in Japan vs. the Rest of the World
Claritin (loratadine 10 mg) is sold under the same or similar name in many countries — including the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK (where it's called Clarityn). The active ingredient and dose are the same worldwide.
| Claritin | Claritin EX (Japan) | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Loratadine 10 mg | Loratadine 10 mg ✓ |
| Dose | 1 tablet once daily | 1 tablet once daily ✓ |
| Age minimum | 6+ (adult formula) | 15 years and older |
| Drowsiness | Non-drowsy | Non-drowsy ✓ |
| Form | Tablet, liquid, etc. | Tablet only |
| OTC status | OTC | Class 2 OTC (第2類医薬品) |
The formula is identical. The main practical difference is the minimum age — 15 in Japan, versus 6 in many other countries.
Important Warnings
🚫 Do not use if you:
- Have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients
- Are breastfeeding (stop breastfeeding if you take this medicine)
🚫 Do not combine with:
- Other allergy medicines, including those for skin conditions or nasal symptoms
- Any internal medicine containing antihistamines — such as cold medicine, expectorants, motion sickness drugs, or sleep aids
- Erythromycin (antibiotic) or cimetidine (stomach acid reducer)
- Alcohol (before or after taking)
⚠️ Consult a pharmacist or doctor first if you:
- Are under medical treatment
- Have liver disease, kidney disease, or epilepsy
- Have been diagnosed with bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, or other allergic conditions
- Have a history of allergic reactions to medicines
- Are pregnant or possibly pregnant
- Are unsure whether your symptoms are due to allergies
- Are elderly
📅 Duration of use
If symptoms do not improve after 1 week, or if taken for more than 2 weeks even after symptoms are relieved, consult a pharmacist or physician.
Where to Buy in Japan
Claritin EX is available at most major drugstore chains (マツモトキヨシ, ツルハ, ウェルシア, etc.) and on Amazon Japan. It is a Class 2 OTC medicine (第2類医薬品), so you do not need a prescription — but a pharmacist (薬剤師) or registered salesperson (登録販売者) may ask a few questions before selling it.
📋 Full product details
For the complete English translation of the package insert — including all dosage instructions, drug interactions, and side effect warnings — see the Claritin EX product page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Claritin sold in Japan?
Claritin EX (クラリチンEX) is sold at major drugstores and pharmacies across Japan. It's made by Taisho Pharmaceutical (大正製薬) under license, with the same loratadine 10 mg as the US version.
Is Japanese Claritin the same strength as US Claritin?
Same ingredient, same dose — loratadine 10 mg, once daily.
Can I take Claritin EX with NyQuil or cold medicine?
You should not combine Claritin EX with other antihistamine-containing medicines — which includes most cold and flu products, as well as motion sickness drugs. Check the ingredients list of any cold medicine before combining. If you're unsure, ask a pharmacist.
What's the Japanese word for loratadine / Claritin?
Loratadine is written ロラタジン on Japanese medicine labels. Look for this in the ingredients section (成分・分量) on the back of the box.
Not sure if this is right for you? Ask the pharmacist (薬剤師) or registered salesperson (登録販売者) at the counter — they're there to help.