Hemorrhoid symptoms can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially when you are traveling in Japan and do not know how to explain the problem at a drugstore.
If you are looking for hemorrhoid medicine in Japan, the most useful things to check first are the product type and the active ingredient names. Japanese drugstores may sell ointments, suppositories, injection-type ointments, and some oral products for hemorrhoid-related pain, swelling, itching, and mild bleeding.
- Quick Answer: What to Check First
- Ingredient Names You May See
- Words You May See on Japanese Labels
- What Types of OTC Hemorrhoid Products Exist in Japan?
- Steroid Products: Useful, but Check the Label
- When Hemorrhoid Symptoms Need Medical Care
- Small Things That May Help Mild Symptoms
- What to Tell Pharmacy Staff
- Before You Buy or Use an OTC Product
- Related Guides
- References
Quick Answer: What to Check First
For mild hemorrhoid-like symptoms, start by matching the product type to where the symptom feels.
| If the symptom feels like… | Product type you may see | Common label clues |
| Pain, itching, or swelling around the anus | Ointment | 軟膏, リドカイン, プレドニゾロン酢酸エステル, ヒドロコルチゾン酢酸エステル |
| Symptoms that feel inside the anus | Suppository or injection-type ointment | 坐剤, 注入軟膏 |
| Pain or itching that needs temporary relief | Local anesthetic ingredient | リドカイン |
| Swelling, inflammation, or itching | Steroid anti-inflammatory ingredient in some products | プレドニゾロン酢酸エステル, ヒドロコルチゾン酢酸エステル |
| Bleeding-related hemorrhoid symptoms | Some combination products | 出血, 塩酸テトラヒドロゾリン |
The package usually tells you whether the medicine is for external application, rectal insertion, or oral use. If the symptom is severe, unusual, or keeps coming back, see the medical-care section below.
Ingredient Names You May See
Japanese OTC hemorrhoid products often combine several active ingredients. The exact ingredient list differs by product.
Common label clues may include:
| Ingredient name you may see | What it is generally used for | Helpful note |
| lidocaine / リドカイン | local anesthetic for pain or itching | A common clue when the main problem is pain or itching. |
| prednisolone acetate / プレドニゾロン酢酸エステル | steroid anti-inflammatory ingredient | A clue that the product contains a steroid; see the steroid section below. |
| hydrocortisone acetate / ヒドロコルチゾン酢酸エステル | steroid anti-inflammatory ingredient | Another steroid label clue used in some products. |
| tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride / 塩酸テトラヒドロゾリン | may be included for swelling or bleeding-related symptoms | Often appears in combination products. |
| allantoin / アラントイン | helps protect or repair irritated tissue | Usually part of a combination product. |
| tocopherol acetate / トコフェロール酢酸エステル | vitamin E-related ingredient used in some products | Usually part of a combination product. |
| chlorhexidine hydrochloride / クロルヘキシジン塩酸塩 | antiseptic ingredient in some products | A clue for products that include a disinfecting ingredient. |
| chlorpheniramine maleate / クロルフェニラミンマレイン酸塩 | antihistamine-type ingredient for itching in some products | A clue in some itching-focused products. |
This table is not a recommendation to choose a specific ingredient. It is a way to understand the label before asking pharmacy staff.
Words You May See on Japanese Labels
Japanese packages may not say “hemorrhoids” in English. Look for these label clues:
| Japanese label clue | Reading | Plain meaning |
| 痔 | ji | hemorrhoids or anal disease |
| いぼ痔 / 痔核 | iboji / jikaku | hemorrhoid lump, piles |
| きれ痔 / 裂肛 | kireji / rekkou | anal fissure, tear-like pain |
| 痛み | itami | pain |
| 出血 | shukketsu | bleeding |
| はれ | hare | swelling |
| かゆみ | kayumi | itching |
| 軟膏 | nankou | ointment |
| 坐剤 | zazai | suppository |
| 注入軟膏 | chunyu nankou | injection-type rectal ointment |
| 内服薬 | naifukuyaku | oral medicine |
These words are label clues, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure whether the symptom is hemorrhoids, ask pharmacy staff or see a doctor.
What Types of OTC Hemorrhoid Products Exist in Japan?
1. Ointments
Ointments are usually applied around the anus. They may be used for external symptoms such as itching, swelling, pain, or irritation around the anal area.
Some ointments are for external use only. Do not insert an ordinary ointment into the rectum unless the package clearly says it can be used that way.
2. Suppositories
Suppositories are inserted into the rectum. They are usually chosen when symptoms are inside the anus or lower rectum.
Use them only as directed on the package. Check age limits carefully.
3. Injection-Type Ointments
Some Japanese hemorrhoid products are single-use tube products that can be used in two ways: inserted into the anus for internal symptoms or applied externally for symptoms around the anus.
If you used one tube for external application, do not later insert the same partly used tube into the rectum. Follow the package instructions.
4. Oral Hemorrhoid Medicines
Some oral products are sold for hemorrhoid-related symptoms. These may contain herbal or other ingredients, and the warnings can differ from external products.
Do not assume an oral product is safer because it is not applied directly to the anus. Ask pharmacy staff if you take other medicines, have chronic disease, are pregnant, or are unsure about the cause of bleeding.
Steroid Products: Useful, but Check the Label
Some Japanese hemorrhoid ointments, suppositories, and injection-type ointments contain steroid anti-inflammatory ingredients such as prednisolone acetate or hydrocortisone acetate.
These ingredients may help calm inflammation, swelling, and itching in appropriate situations, but they are not for every anal symptom.
Ask pharmacy staff before using a steroid-containing product if:
- symptoms may be caused by infection
- there is pus-like discharge
- pain is severe or rapidly worsening
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- the medicine is for a child
- symptoms keep returning
- you have not been diagnosed before and bleeding is present
Do not keep using steroid-containing OTC products repeatedly just because the symptom returns.
When Hemorrhoid Symptoms Need Medical Care
Do not treat every anal symptom as hemorrhoids.
Seek medical care rather than relying on OTC medicine if:
- you have bleeding from the rectum
- bleeding is repeated, heavy, dark, or mixed with stool
- pain is severe, sudden, or getting worse
- there is fever, chills, pus-like discharge, or a swollen painful lump near the anus
- you have abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness
- symptoms continue after about one week of home care
- you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
- symptoms are in a child, an elderly person, or someone who is pregnant
Hemorrhoids are common, but bleeding can also come from other digestive tract problems. If you are not sure, it is safer to see a doctor.
If it is not an ambulance situation but you are unsure how to find medical care in Japan, see How to See a Doctor in Japan as a Traveler.
Small Things That May Help Mild Symptoms
For mild symptoms, medicine is only one part of care.
You may also be advised to:
- avoid straining during bowel movements
- avoid sitting on the toilet for a long time
- drink enough nonalcoholic fluids
- eat fiber-containing foods if appropriate for your health
- keep the anal area clean without rubbing hard
- use a warm bath or sitz bath if it feels comfortable
- avoid heavy lifting while symptoms are painful
- ask about constipation care if hard stool is making symptoms worse
If constipation is part of the problem, see the JapanMedGuide constipation guide after it is published.
What to Tell Pharmacy Staff
If it is hard to explain, show this:
| English | Japanese |
| I may have hemorrhoid symptoms. | 痔のような症状があります。 |
| I have pain around the anus. | 肛門のまわりが痛いです。 |
| I have itching around the anus. | 肛門のまわりがかゆいです。 |
| I saw bright red blood after a bowel movement. | 排便後に鮮やかな赤い血が出ました。 |
| Is this product for external use, insertion, or oral use? | この薬は塗る薬ですか、肛門に入れる薬ですか、飲み薬ですか？ |
| Does this contain a steroid? | これはステロイドを含みますか？ |
| Should I see a doctor instead? | 薬ではなく、受診した方がよいですか？ |
If bleeding, severe pain, fever, or pus-like discharge is present, say that clearly.
For a broader pharmacy card, see Show This at a Japanese Pharmacy: OTC Medicine Questions in English and Japanese.
Before You Buy or Use an OTC Product
Before buying or using hemorrhoid medicine in Japan, check the label, the “do not use” warnings, age limits, and instructions. If you are not sure, ask a pharmacist or registered salesperson.
Also check:
- whether the product is for external use, rectal insertion, or oral use
- whether it contains a steroid ingredient
- whether it should not be used by children
- whether it is appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- whether you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
- whether bleeding, severe pain, fever, or pus-like discharge means you should see a doctor instead
If you are new to Japanese OTC medicine categories, see Drugstore Basics in Japan: How to Buy OTC Medicine Safely.
This article is general information for travelers and residents in Japan. It does not diagnose your symptoms or recommend a specific product for you.
Related Guides
- Drugstore Basics in Japan: How to Buy OTC Medicine Safely
- Show This at a Japanese Pharmacy: OTC Medicine Questions in English and Japanese
- How to See a Doctor in Japan as a Traveler
- Stomach and Digestive Problems in Japan: OTC Medicine Ingredients and Safety Checks
References
- PMDA. General OTC and guidance-mandatory medicine package insert search.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hemorrhoids: Symptoms & Causes.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment of Hemorrhoids.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Hemorrhoids.
- Alinamin Pharmaceutical. Hemorrhoids symptoms guide.
- Taisho Pharmaceutical. Preser Ace hemorrhoid product page.
- Amato Pharmaceutical. Borraginol A injection ointment product page.
