Seirogan (正露丸): ingredients, dose and warnings in English
Seirogan (正露丸) is sold in Japan as a class 2 medicine: the box reads 第2類医薬品. In 9 pills: Wood Creosote 400 mg, Powdered Gambir 200 mg, Powdered Phellodendron Bark 300 mg, Powdered Glycyrrhiza 150 mg, Powdered Citrus Unshiu Peel 300 mg. The package insert sets the adult dose at 3 pills, 3 times a day, for ages 5 and over.
第2類医薬品 · Class 2
What is in Seirogan
The package insert lists 5 active ingredients in 9 pills. The middle column is how each one is written on the Japanese box.
| Ingredient | Name on the box | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Creosote | 木クレオソート | 400 mg |
| Powdered Gambir | アセンヤク末 | 200 mg |
| Powdered Phellodendron Bark | オウバク末 | 300 mg |
| Powdered Glycyrrhiza | カンゾウ末 | 150 mg |
| Powdered Citrus Unshiu Peel | チンピ末 | 300 mg |
Additives, as written on the package insert (Japanese)
ケイヒ末,カルメロースカルシウム(CMC-Ca),グリセリン
The maker publishes an English product page for Seirogan: Taiko Pharmaceutical: Seirogan (English product page). This page translates the current Japanese package insert on PMDA.
Source: PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — 正露丸: package insert (添付文書) · Taiko Pharmaceutical — Seirogan: English product page
What the package insert lists it for
The approved wording of the Japanese package insert, translated. It is what the product is sold for, not advice on what to take.
- Loose stools, diarrhoea, food poisoning, stomach upset from drinking water, vomiting and diarrhoea, loose bowels, diarrhoea due to indigestion, toothache from tooth decay
The dose, as written on the package insert
Translated line by line from the directions and dosage (用法・用量) section.
- Wood Creosote per dose
- about 133.3 mg
- Adult dose
- 3 pills
- Doses a day
- 3
- Age
- 5 and over
- 1. Take the following amount after a meal (preferably within 30 minutes), always together with water or warm water.
| Age | Single dose | Doses a day |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (15 and over) | 3 pills | 3 times |
| 11 and over but under 15 | 2 pills | 3 times |
| 8 and over but under 11 | 1.5 pills | 3 times |
| 5 and over but under 8 | 1 pill | 3 times |
| Under 5 | Do not take |
- 2. For toothache from tooth decay, pack 1/2 to 1 pill into the tooth cavity (the hole in the decayed tooth).
Notes on the directions
- (1) Always follow the specified directions and dosage.
- (2) When giving it to children aged 5 and over, have them take it under the guidance and supervision of a parent or guardian, so that there is no mistake in the dose and the medicine does not get stuck in the throat.
Do not
The package insert opens with what you must not do.
(If you do not follow these, your current symptoms may get worse, and side effects or accidents become more likely)
1. Do not use it if you are one of the following people.
- People who have ever had allergic symptoms (rash/redness, itching, oedema, etc.) caused by this medicine or its ingredients
2. When using it for toothache from tooth decay, this medicine only takes away the pain temporarily and has no curative effect, so get treatment from a dentist as soon as possible even if the pain subsides. Also, once the pain eases, remove this medicine from the hole in the decayed tooth, and never leave it packed in.
Ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered salesperson
The package insert says to ask for advice in these cases.
1. If you are one of the following people, ask a doctor, dentist, pharmacist or registered salesperson for advice before using this medicine.
- (1) People who are receiving treatment from a doctor or dentist
- (2) People who have diarrhoea accompanied by fever, people who have bloody stools, or people whose mucous stools continue
- (3) Women who are pregnant, women who think they may be pregnant, or women who are breastfeeding
- (4) Older people
- (5) People who have had allergic symptoms caused by medicines, cosmetics, etc.
- (6) People who have a disease of the liver or kidneys
2. If the following symptoms appear after using it, they may be side effects, so stop using it immediately and ask a doctor, dentist, pharmacist or registered salesperson for advice, taking this leaflet with you.
Possible side effects, by part of the body
- Skin
- rash/redness, itching, oedema
- Digestive system
- nausea/vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort
- Nervous system
- dizziness, headache
- In rare cases the following serious symptoms may occur. If they do, see a doctor immediately.
Rare but serious symptoms: name and signs
- Liver dysfunction
- tiredness all over the body, jaundice (the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow), etc. appear.
3. If your symptoms do not improve after taking it for several days (5 to 6 days as a guide), stop taking it and ask a doctor, dentist, pharmacist or registered salesperson for advice, taking this leaflet with you.
4. If the pain does not go away after using it 1 or 2 times for toothache from tooth decay, stop using it and ask a dentist for advice, taking this leaflet with you.
Who can sell it in Japan
The Seirogan box carries the class 第2類医薬品, which decides who may sell it.
- On the box
- 第2類医薬品 (Class 2). The box reads 第2類医薬品.
- Who can sell it
- A pharmacist or a registered salesperson may sell it.
Source: e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) — Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (医薬品医療機器等法), current text · e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) — Enforcement Regulations of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (施行規則), current text
Taking it home
Frequently asked questions
How much Wood Creosote is in Seirogan?
About 133.3 mg in a dose of 3 pills, according to the Japanese package insert. The package insert lists 400 mg in 9 pills.
How much Seirogan can an adult take in a day?
The package insert sets the adult dose at 3 pills, 3 times a day.
Can children take Seirogan?
The package insert gives doses from age 5 and says it is not to be taken below that age.
Do I need a pharmacist to buy Seirogan?
Seirogan is a class 2 medicine (第2類医薬品). A pharmacist or a registered salesperson may sell it.
What is Seirogan called in Japanese?
正露丸. The Seirogan box also carries the class 第2類医薬品.
Related items
Package insert in Japanese: PMDA
Sources for this page
- PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) 正露丸: package insert (添付文書)checked October 3, 2026
- Taiko Pharmaceutical Seirogan: English product pagechecked October 3, 2026
- e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (医薬品医療機器等法), current textchecked October 3, 2026
- e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) Enforcement Regulations of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (施行規則), current textchecked October 3, 2026
Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 3, 2026