Japan Drugstore Guide: Hangover Cures & Stomach Medicine   

The word nomunication — a portmanteau of the English “communication” and the Japanese verb nomu, “to drink” — captures the role alcohol plays in smoothing social interactions in Japan. When it comes to the morning after, though, there’s no magic cure: the best evidence still points to drinking in moderation, water and food, not a bottle from the drugstore shelf.

Still, Japanese drugstores stock a handful of products that many drinkers reach for before and after a big night out. They fall into surprisingly different legal categories. Some are genuine over-the-counter medicines with approved uses, others are simply flavored beverages popular after a night out. Here’s what’s worth knowing about each, and what it can (and can’t) actually claim to do.

Drinks to Take Before a Night Out

Though none of these are a proven hangover cure, these drinks are popular among drinkers before heading out for a night at bars.

Hepalyse Drink II

Despite the drink format, the pharmacy version of Hepalyse is classified as a third-class over-the-counter medicine, not a supplement. It contains liver hydrolysate (broken-down liver) alongside B vitamins and herbal extracts, and its approved use is nutritional support — easing fatigue and aiding recovery during convalescence or after physical strain. It is not officially approved as a hangover preventative; the popular practice of taking it to “fortify the liver” before drinking is something the marketing hints at rather than a claim backed by strong evidence. (Note that the Hepalyse drinks sold in convenience stores are a separate, food-category product, not the medicine.)

Price: Around ¥334 (50ml)

Ukon no Chikara

Unlike the other two drinks here, this turmeric-based beverage is classified as a soft drink — a food, not a medicine — which means it cannot claim to treat or prevent a hangover. Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, is widely believed to support the liver and offset the effects of alcohol, but the evidence is thin: curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body, and large, reliable studies haven’t confirmed a hangover benefit. Treat it as a popular ritual rather than a remedy.

Price: Around ¥218 (100ml)

Solmack

The plum-flavored Solmack is a designated quasi-drug (some other products in the range are second-class medicines), which means — unlike Ukon no Chikara — it carries an officially approved use. It’s indicated for the nausea and stomach discomfort that come from eating or drinking too much, including hangover-type queasiness, and can be taken before or after alcohol. The refreshing plum flavor makes it one of the easier ones to get down.

Price: Around ¥385 (50ml)

Stomach Medicines for Hangover Symptoms

If nausea and an upset stomach set in after drinking, a stomach medicine may help. Unlike the drinks above, these are regulated medicines, and several are explicitly approved for over-drinking and hangover-related symptoms.

Cabagin Kowa α Plus

A second-class over-the-counter medicine whose approved uses explicitly include the nausea brought on by drinking and overeating. Its signature ingredient, MMSC (derived from cabbage), works to repair an irritated stomach lining, while added ingredients support digestion and curb excess stomach acid.

Usage: Adults take two tablets with water, three times a day after meals.

Price: Around ¥2,280 (300 tablets)

Taisho Kampo Gastrointestinal Medicine (Liquid)

A second-class kampo (traditional herbal) medicine, and the one product here is built specifically around drinking. Its approved uses explicitly include over-drinking and hangover nausea. The drink-type liquid combines two classic formulas: goreisan, which helps the body clear the excess fluid and alcohol that builds up after a heavy session, and oren-gedoku-to, which works on a stomach lining irritated by alcohol. The brand’s powder and tablet versions use a different formula aimed at general stomach complaints, so for the morning after, the liquid is the one to reach for.

Usage: Adults take one bottle, three times a day, before or between meals.

Price: Around ¥400 (30ml)

For more information, read our full guide to drugstores in Japan.

The remedies above are not a substitute for drinking in moderation, and no product is a guaranteed cure for a hangover. If you have a liver condition, take regular medication, or feel unwell, always consult a pharmacist or doctor. If you have a liver condition, consult your doctor.

This page has been brought to you as a public service of The Bluff Medical and Dental Clinic in Yokohama.