Blue, green, purple and red boxes—and another row marked Premium. At a Japanese drugstore, start with EX, NX, CX and FXa. These are four symptom-focused directions within the Lulu Attack cold-medicine range. Then check the exact version.
Start with your cold symptoms. Then match the full name.
I’m Irene, a Taiwanese pharmacist working in Japan. When you feel unwell on a trip, you want a clear explanation, not a wall of Japanese labels. Here are the seven current Lulu Attack products, grouped into four directions. They relieve cold symptoms; they do not prevent a cold or need to be combined.
Your three-minute choice: which cold symptom stands out?
EX: throat-focused
Standard EX pairs ibuprofen with tranexamic acid, matching the manufacturer’s throat-focused positioning. EX Premium changes the formula and tablet count.
NX: nose-focused
Standard NX contains clemastine and belladonna alkaloids. NX Premium uses a different combination; it is not simply a doubled dose.
CX: cough and phlegm
This formula combines cough suppressants with L-carbocisteine. Both versions have age limits and important restrictions.
FXa: fever-focused
Its pain-and-fever ingredients are acetaminophen and isopropylantipyrine, rather than ibuprofen. Of these seven products, only FXa has a labelled dose for ages 7–14.
These are manufacturer-based comparison directions, not a diagnosis or a personal recommendation. All seven are combination cold medicines with overlapping uses. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking any of them. Plan around this if your trip includes driving.
Match the standard boxes: read the letters, not just the colour
ルルアタックEX
Look for EX
ルルアタックNX
Look for NX
ルルアタックCX
Look for CX
ルルアタックFXa
Look for FXa
Product photos: Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare. Photos are not shown to scale. Sources are listed at the end.
These are the standard versions. Pack sizes and artwork may change. Read the letters after ルルアタック and look for プレミアム. “新ルルA” belongs to a different range, so do not use this dose table for it.
Premium changes the formula: recognise these three boxes
ルルアタックEXプレミアム
Look for プレミアム
ルルアタックNXプレミアム
Look for プレミアム
ルルアタックCXプレミアム
Look for プレミアム
Product photos: Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare. Photos are not shown to scale. Sources are listed at the end.
What changes in the formula—and why does it matter?
| Direction | Standard formula highlights | Main Premium changes |
|---|---|---|
| EX: throat | Ibuprofen 450 mg + tranexamic acid 750 mg; also includes bromhexine | Ibuprofen rises to 600 mg; tranexamic acid stays at 750 mg. No bromhexine; different antihistamine; caffeine added |
| NX: nose | Ibuprofen 450 mg; clemastine + belladonna alkaloids | Ibuprofen remains 450 mg. Uses d-chlorpheniramine + isopropamide; also tranexamic acid 420 mg |
| CX: cough/phlegm | Ibuprofen 450 mg; L-carbocisteine 750 mg + cough suppressants | Ibuprofen rises to 600 mg; L-carbocisteine remains 750 mg. Antihistamine form and labelled amount differ |
| FXa: fever/chills | Acetaminophen 450 mg + isopropylantipyrine 300 mg; also ginger powder | No FXa Premium among the seven products covered here |
Amounts above are per adult day, not per dose. This is a selection-focused summary, not the complete ingredient list. NX Premium does not increase the ibuprofen amount. Premium is therefore not a universal “higher dose” label, and milligrams of different painkillers cannot be compared as a strength ranking.
Standard EX has no caffeine; the other six formulas contain it. Caffeine-free does not mean non-drowsy. All seven carry the driving restriction. Do not combine EX, NX and CX to cover more symptoms.
How many tablets? Premium doses are not all the same
All are taken three times daily, preferably within 30 minutes after meals, with water or lukewarm water. The table gives tablets per dose.
| Product | Ages 15+ | Ages 7–14 |
|---|---|---|
| EX | 2 tablets | Do not take |
| NX | 2 tablets | Do not take |
| CX | 2 tablets | Do not take |
| FXa | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| EX Premium | 3 tablets | Do not take |
| NX Premium | 2 tablets | Do not take |
| CX Premium | 3 tablets | Do not take |
Under 7: do not use any of these seven products. Children aged 7–14 may take FXa only at its labelled dose, under adult supervision. Do not invent a half-dose trial or replace the after-meal directions with a first dose on an empty stomach at bedtime.
A few checks before you use it on your trip
- Do not combine: avoid other cold medicines, pain/fever medicines, sedatives, cough/expectorant products or oral antihistamines, including many allergy, rhinitis and motion-sickness medicines.
- No driving; no alcohol before or after taking it. Feeling awake does not remove the driving restriction.
- Allergy and asthma: do not take it if you have reacted to its ingredients or developed asthma after a cold medicine or painkiller.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: EX, NX, CX and the three Premium versions must not be used within 12 weeks of the expected delivery date. Their labels say not to take them while breastfeeding, or to avoid breastfeeding during use. FXa has different wording; it is not an automatic pregnancy/breastfeeding alternative. Consult before use if pregnant or possibly pregnant.
- Medical treatment, chronic illness or high fever: check the exact leaflet and seek advice. EX Premium and CX Premium must not be used during treatment for stomach/duodenal ulcers, blood, liver, kidney or heart disease, or hypertension, or while receiving zidovudine.
- Keep use short: EX, NX, CX and all three Premium versions must not be taken for more than five days. FXa is not for prolonged continuous use. If symptoms persist after 5–6 doses, stop and seek advice. Persistent or recurring fever also needs assessment.
- Possible side effects: stop and seek advice for a rash, nausea or other unusual symptoms. Breathing difficulty, marked swelling or altered consciousness needs urgent medical attention.
Keep these three checks for the shelf
Pick the direction
EX for throat-focused colds, NX for nose, CX for cough/phlegm, FXa for fever/chills: comparison directions, not self-diagnosis.
Read the full name
Standard or Premium? When buying for someone else, match the exact requested box; do not substitute by colour alone.
Check age and dose
Save the box photos and dose table, then check them against your actual pack. Remember the driving restriction when planning your day.
Questions before you buy or use it
Is Premium always more effective?
No universal ranking follows from the label. The formula changes differ; NX Premium has the same daily ibuprofen amount as standard NX. Suitability depends on symptoms, age and restrictions, not simply the word Premium.
Can I take Lulu with EVE or another cold medicine?
Do not combine them yourself. All seven labels prohibit other cold medicines, pain/fever medicines, sedatives, cough/expectorant products and oral antihistamines during use.
Which can a 12-year-old take?
Among these seven, only FXa has a labelled dose for ages 7–14: one tablet three times daily, preferably within 30 minutes after meals, under adult supervision. The other six must not be used under age 15.
Can I drive after caffeine-free EX?
No. Standard EX has no caffeine, but other ingredients can still cause drowsiness or related effects. Its leaflet prohibits driving and operating machinery after taking it.
Can I take it before I get a cold?
These products are for relief of cold symptoms. They are not preventive medicines and do not guarantee a shorter illness.
Sources and photo credits
Based on Japanese manufacturer information. English names help you read this guide; match the full Japanese name when shopping. Official photos retain the original packaging artwork. Read the current leaflet supplied with your pack before use.
- Manufacturer product, packaging and leaflet: ルルアタックEX
- Manufacturer product, packaging and leaflet: ルルアタックNX
- Manufacturer product, packaging and leaflet: ルルアタックCX
- Manufacturer product, packaging and leaflet: ルルアタックFXa
- Manufacturer product, packaging and leaflet: ルルアタックEXプレミアム
- Manufacturer product, packaging and leaflet: ルルアタックNXプレミアム
- Manufacturer product, packaging and leaflet: ルルアタックCXプレミアム
