10mo ago

I am unable to visit Japan.

I head up a small community for fans of a niche indie brand. The founder is doing an event in Japan with an exclusive item for people who attend! I was so excited and was looking into booking a plane ticket to go!

However.. turns out that Japan has a law that absolutely forbids stimulant medication in the country. And, no, I don't really want to upend my regimen of 8 years and risk going on a new medication for the trip.

I'm really shattered, as I wanted to attend this cool event and meet up with other enthusiasts. It really hurts to be barred from an opportunity like this.

I hate ADHD. I really do.

94 comments

Intuniv, Strattera, Concerta, and Vyvanse can be prescribed for ADHD in Japan. Ritalin is also available but not for ADHD, though travelers can bring a maximum of 2.16g of methylphenidate. Other stimulants such as Adderall are not allowed.
https://interacnetwork.com/navigating-stimulant-therapy-for-adult-adhd-in-japan-regulations-and-considerations/
Most doctors would be willing to prescribe a different medication for the duration of your trip. It of course won't be ideal, but it would be a temporary hiccup that might be worth it considering you seem to be really excited for the trip.
- Op mentioned they do not want different medication for the trip though.
  And, no, I don't really want to upend my regimen of 8 years and risk going on a new medication for the trip.
  
  I did read that which is why I noted in my comment that I realize it won't be ideal but may be worth reconsidering for the opportunity. I also wanted to provide some more complete information for the people in the comments who were gleaning false conclusions from misleading information.
  
  Classic ADHD troupe of only reading the title / skimming. Lol
- OP: I hear you on not trying different meds, but one of these things is barely different from adderall (still very much a stimulant). Vyvanse is basically adderall xl, just in prodrug form. Apparently other commentors say it is allowed in japan. Prodrug just means that an enzyme plus the drug means your body creates the basically the same exact drug as adderall when ingested. If vyvanse is allowed but adderall is not that’s strange although one of vyvanse’s strengths is that it can’t be snorted, which might make some nations feel better about the drug’s potential for abuse, since it must be ingested to work.
  
  Adderall didn't do a whole lot for me, but Vyvanse made me actively sick. People can have weird reactions to medications.
- ^^ An informative and very thoughtful comment ^^

Vyvanse allowed Adderall not allowed.
- Ritalin is also allowed
- Vyvanse is so much better for me personally. But it's expensive af
  
  I loved Vyvanse. I was able to advance at work because of Vyvanse.
  And then out of nowhere my insurance decides, not it's $350 a month. Back to adderall I went.
  
  Hello from France where Vyvanse still isn't approved! Every day I read about how amazing it is and I cry

OP, don't hate the ADHD. Hate the Japanese law. That is a stupid law.
- I can do both.
  
  Try to switch to Vyvanse if possible.
  Totally legal in Japan.

I went to Tokyo 6 months ago and took a bottle of Vyvanse with me.
You need to clear it with the authorities before you head over. You'll need your doctor to write a letter. It can be done though.
... Or just get hooked on $1.50 cans of coffee boss instead.

Wow, so...they just don't treat ADHD over there?
- Of course they do. They just don't allow Adderall because it contains amphetamine.
  
  Just Adderall? Or all ADHD meds?

Just play Yakuza as a sort of stand in /j
- Yakuza and also Okami

Which is ironic since the original Vyvanse manufacturer, Takeda pharmaceuticals, is based in Tokyo.
- Apparently Vyvanse is the only one that's allowed. Sounds like regulatory capture to me.
  
  Ritalin/Concerta is also allowed.
  
  It's actually an interesting history that goes back to WWII. Japan distributed amphetamines to both soldiers and civilian workers to support the war effort. After the war, it turned into a serious problem of abuse. That in turn led to the country banning amphetamines outright in 1954-1955 and they have never really reconsidered.
  Here's an article from 1957 on the topic: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/bulletin/bulletin_1957-01-01_3_page003.html

Yeah, I'm lucky enough that mine is only really debilitating for study so I didn't have an issue not taking my meds for the trip. Really feel for you. :(

If it's a visit, then just take your meds and your prescription. I've never had any issues taking meds into Japan that cannot be prescribed there. You probably won't even be asked.
- This is an absolutely terrible idea, and a great way to get arrested and/or unable to ever enter the country again.
  Absolutely not.
- That is illegal.
- Bringing adderall into Japan carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison under the Stimulants Control Law. Your prescription means nothing once you are on Japanese soil.
  This is truly idiotic advice, and I don't say that lightly.

Brodie, this is your sign to take a small t-break. Not medical advice, just watching your 6.
Your meds are there to help you live the life you want and shouldn’t make you choose them over the other pleasures in life. Are you taking breaks on weekends?
Remember that at the end of the day they’re stimmies, and dependency is very real for us ADHD peeps.
Choose life papa.
- This isn't a recreational drug where we need to take "T breaks" in order to have a stronger high when we start it again. It's a prescription drug that has a prescribed daily dosage. Going off it has serious consequences. I skipped a week once years ago when I was at my family cottage and forgot my meds. By the end of that week I was so deeply depressed and lethargic I had no motivation to do anything. So yeah, the dependency is real, but the withdrawal symptoms are no joke either.
  
  No one said anything about a stronger high. And what you said proves that amphetamines are a dangerous drug, prescription or not
- I've lurked for a while, but I made an account just so I could comment on what a brain-dead take this is. Referring to ADHD meds prescribed by a licensed physician as "stimmies" perpetuates the idea that ADHD is nothing more than a "lazy person" illness, and that our medication is merely a crutch or an "addiction".
  Furthermore, people don't "choose meds over other pleasures in life". Meds are the reason we can achieve and enjoy pleasures in life. Needing medication is not fucking "dependency" akin to a drug addict. Jeez, I guess you must have a real problem with diabetics always neededing their next hit of insulin too, am I right?
  Unreal. You're doing way more harm than good and I suggest you check yourself before doing even more damage.
  
  You, thank you.
- This is unhinged, why are you trying to give advice if you're so uninformed?
- Nobody can change me only God can judge me.
  I'd never let my head or its bandages decide where I can go or not. Live fast. Die whenever.

94 comments