I always suffer from blocked ears when I fly. It got to the point where I was afraid to take planes. Those who know the feeling of your ears not clearing during takeoff and landing will understand. So, before my trip to Japan, I stopped by a pharmacy near my house and asked the pharmacist, "Is there any medicine to prevent blocked ears when flying?" She said she experiences it too when flying, and recommended Actifed. I bought a box, put it in my bag, and headed to Yonago.
I took one pill about 30 minutes before takeoff and landing, and it really worked. I barely felt my ears getting blocked like usual. I had a good trip and returned to Korea. Nothing happened.
My friend also suffers from ear problems when flying, just like me. Recently, when he said he was going to Japan, I recommended, "Take Actifed, it really works on planes." Then my friend said, "They say it gets confiscated in Japan." Huh? Wait. I brought it last time, and it was even recommended by a pharmacist in Korea?
I was a bit flustered and looked it up. And what I found was a bit complicated. To get straight to the point, the phrase "absolutely forbidden" was a slight exaggeration, but there were indeed some important things to know.
Why is Actifed a problem in Japan?
Actifed contains two ingredients: triprolidine (an antihistamine) and pseudoephedrine. Both are effective for symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion, but the problem is pseudoephedrine.
Pseudoephedrine has the effect of reducing swelling in the nasal and ear mucous membranes. That's why it's effective for blocked ears when flying. But at the same time, this ingredient is used as a raw material for methamphetamine (philopon). Its chemical structure is similar, so it can be refined into a drug.
In Korea, you can buy this over-the-counter at a pharmacy without a prescription, but it's different in other countries. The US and Australia control it by requiring ID for purchase, and Japan is even stricter. So, from Japan's perspective, if a Korean person brings a whole box of Actifed, they might see it as, "Oh, this is a raw material for drugs?"
So, is it really all confiscated?
This is the core. Although my friend said it so frighteningly, it's not really that extreme. Japan looks at the quantity. You can bring up to about a month's supply for one person. You don't need to declare it, and you don't need to get a separate certificate. A typical box of Actifed (about 10 tablets) falls within this range.
That's why I had no problems. Since I brought one box, it was within the legal limit. It wasn't luck; it was an amount that wasn't an issue in the first place.
People who actually get their medicine confiscated are usually in these situations: bringing multiple boxes at once, repeatedly traveling to Japan and bringing medicine every time, or having other suspicious items found in their bag. An ordinary traveler bringing one box for personal use will almost certainly have no problems, so there's no need to worry.
Still, if you want to bring it with peace of mind
Organizing it this way makes it truly safe. Bring the medicine in its original packaging. If you remove the pills and put them in a Ziploc bag or something similar, it's easy to arouse suspicion. It's best to keep the box and medicine packets as they are. Japanese customs usually don't bother with Korean over-the-counter medicines in their original packaging.
It's best not to bring more than one box. 10 tablets are enough for flying there and back! If you bring two or three boxes, it might raise suspicion, like "Why so many?"
Organize your bag. If there's a lot of medicine mixed with other items and it looks messy, there's a higher chance of it being flagged by X-ray. It's best to keep your medicine in one place and the box neatly arranged.
If it's a prescription medicine from a hospital, it's safer to carry a copy of the prescription with you. Actifed is an over-the-counter medicine, not a prescription drug, so you won't have a prescription for it.
There are other ways to deal with airplane ear besides medicine.
Actually, while telling my friend, I also thought about it, and if this is a concern, you can bring medicine, but there are quite a few other methods besides medicine.
The simplest is to hold your nose and gently blow. Close your mouth, pinch your nose with your fingers, and gently exhale through your nose. This creates pressure in your ears and clears them. It's really effective during takeoff and landing. It feels a bit awkward the first time, but once you get used to it, it's faster than medicine.
Chewing gum, yawning, and drinking water frequently are all effective. Swallowing frequently helps clear your ears. Consciously swallowing often during takeoff and landing can help.
There are also earplugs for takeoff and landing. They're sold at pharmacies or Daiso and help regulate pressure. You don't need to take medicine, so if you travel abroad often, it's good to buy a pair.
For my next trip to Japan, I'm thinking of trying the nose-holding and blowing method and gum instead of medicine. Even if it's a safe amount, carrying medicine around can be a hassle.
Conclusion
The online rumor about "Actifed absolutely forbidden in Japan" is a slight exaggeration. About one box, a personal supply, almost always passes through. I brought it myself and had no issues.
However, knowing is different from not knowing. Bring a reasonable amount, in its original packaging, and keep your bag tidy. If you follow these three things, you can travel with peace of mind. I hope no one has to sweat when entering Japan because of medicine they bought to prevent airplane ear.
And I recommend trying other methods besides medicine. Holding your nose and blowing is really simple but helps a lot on the plane.