Psych meds in Japan
November 5, 2010 1:31 PM Subscribe
Will I have trouble getting antidepressants as a civilian living in Okinawa?
I'll be moving to Okinawa soon, completely unconnected to the US military. I've taken Effexor and Lamictal for a long time, and expect to need to take them for the foreseeable future. I'll have Japanese health insurance. Will I have any difficulty getting my meds management taken over by a local physician? I.e., is there any reluctance/stigma/hurdles to prescribe antidepressants in the Japanese health care system?
I'll be moving to Okinawa soon, completely unconnected to the US military. I've taken Effexor and Lamictal for a long time, and expect to need to take them for the foreseeable future. I'll have Japanese health insurance. Will I have any difficulty getting my meds management taken over by a local physician? I.e., is there any reluctance/stigma/hurdles to prescribe antidepressants in the Japanese health care system?
It depends on the medication. I have an American friend in Tokyo who is bipolar. He has to return to the US periodically to get his prescriptions updated - they can't do it for him internationally. Not much help, I know - but anecdotes are useful too.
posted by etoile at 9:46 PM on November 5, 2010
posted by etoile at 9:46 PM on November 5, 2010
You shouldn't have any trouble being prescribed anti-depressants of some kind in Japan - they are routinely prescribed. The touble will be getting exactly the same meds as in America - looks like Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is available, but only for use as an anticonvulsant. I'm not sure if that means that you can't get it off label though. Effexor (Venaflexine), is not available at all. Another point is, that in Japan it is that the GP has a much less central role than they do in America, and it is the norm to go straight to a specialist for your healthcare needs if you have anything much worse than a cold. So, it's probably best to go straight to a psychiatrist for your meds.
posted by ultrabuff at 5:47 AM on November 6, 2010
posted by ultrabuff at 5:47 AM on November 6, 2010
oops sorry that should be Venlafaxine, not Venaflexine.
posted by ultrabuff at 5:50 AM on November 6, 2010
posted by ultrabuff at 5:50 AM on November 6, 2010
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ritalin link, japan times
Wikipedia suggests that Paxil and Zoloft (and a couple that I'd never heard of) are at least available in Japan; Effexor is at best still being investigated for use in Japan.
wikipedia link
Best guess? Start with your current health care provider. They should be able to provide you with some sort of introduction letter to whoever your Okinawan provider ends up being; and they might be able to negotiate the twisty maze of which drugs are available for prescription in Japan, or which ones aren't but can be legally imported. They might also be able to give you a larger-than-usual prescription amount so that you don't have to go through withdrawal while you figure out the system.
See also this earlier Ask Meta about negotiating customs.
Good luck!
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 3:11 PM on November 5, 2010