EVE Painkillers in Japan: Compare 5 Types and Doses

Product information checked: 17 September 2026

Someone asks you to bring back EVE, but the Japanese shelf has white, pink, blue and gold boxes — plus one with a big 3. Compare ingredients and the sedating ingredient first, then match the dose and package. This guide explains five Japanese EVE products so you can choose more clearly and avoid mixing up their directions.

Choose in 3 minutes: what matters to you?

The letters A, EX and DX are not enough to choose. Start with your needs, then check the formula and dose interval. All five are for ages 15+.

Keep this in mind: A, A EX, QUICK and QUICK DX contain a sedating ingredient: do not drive after taking them. THREE SHOT omits it but is not suitable for everyone. Use restrictions and dose intervals matter more than a higher number on the box.

Match the box: read the words after EVE

Save this box comparison before your drugstore visit. At the shelf, match the full Japanese name, then check the form and pack size. Photos are not to scale; image size does not show pack size.

A is white, A EX pink, QUICK dark blue, and QUICK DX has gold and red DX lettering. THREE SHOT has a large 3. Layouts can change with pack size, so the full Japanese name is your final check. The photos show different tablet counts, not equivalent pack sizes.

Product photos: SSP. Photos are not shown to scale; sources are at the end.

Ingredient comparison: every amount here is per dose

Product	Pain-relieving ingredients	Sedating ingredient	Magnesium oxide	Caffeine
A	Ibuprofen 150 mg	60 mg	—	80 mg
QUICK	Ibuprofen 150 mg	60 mg	100 mg	80 mg
A EX	Ibuprofen 200 mg	60 mg	—	80 mg
QUICK DX	Ibuprofen 200 mg	60 mg	100 mg	80 mg
THREE SHOT	Ibuprofen 195 mg Acetaminophen 195 mg	None	70 mg	65 mg

The first four amounts are for two tablets; THREE SHOT is for three. The sedating ingredient is allylisopropylacetylurea (アリルイソプロピルアセチル尿素). Adding the milligrams of two different painkillers does not create a meaningful strength ranking.

A vs QUICK, EX vs DX: why magnesium oxide matters

QUICK and DX use magnesium oxide to protect the stomach lining and support ibuprofen dissolution. That does not remove stomach risks or make taking them on an empty stomach a good idea. A history of ulcers still requires advice before use.

THREE SHOT: two painkillers, still a choice to assess

This formula provides 195 mg each of ibuprofen and acetaminophen per dose, without the sedating ingredient in the other four. That is a useful difference if you want to compare formulas without it. It still has restrictions and must not be stacked with acetaminophen products, other painkillers or cold medicines.

Driving or riding on your trip? Read this first

Do not drive or operate machinery after taking A, QUICK, A EX or QUICK DX, because sleepiness may occur. THREE SHOT has no equivalent driving prohibition in its leaflet and does not contain that sedating ingredient. This is not a guarantee against dizziness or other symptoms; do not drive if unwell.

Dose and interval: save the row for your product

Ages 15+	Tablets per dose	Maximum per day	Minimum interval
A / QUICK	2 tablets	3 doses	4 hours
A EX / QUICK DX	2 tablets	2 doses	6 hours
THREE SHOT	3 tablets	2 doses	6 hours

Use when needed for pain or fever, avoiding an empty stomach as far as possible, with water or warm water. These are limits, not targets to take every day or after symptoms have resolved. None of the five is for children under 15.

Stop and seek advice if there is no improvement after 5–6 doses of A or QUICK, or 3–4 doses of A EX, DX or THREE SHOT. These are doses, not days; worsening symptoms or side effects need attention sooner.

Before use: check the restrictions that matter

• Do not use: under age 15, with an allergy to the product or its ingredients, a history of asthma caused by pain/fever or cold medicines, or during the final 12 weeks before the expected delivery date.
• Seek advice first: medical treatment, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, breastfeeding, older age, medicine allergies; heart, kidney or liver disease, SLE, mixed connective tissue disease, or a history of stomach/duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Read the full leaflet as well.
• No stacking or alcohol: do not combine any of these five with other pain/fever medicines, cold medicines or sedatives. Do not drink alcohol before or after taking them. The first four also prohibit motion-sickness medicines. Do not use continuously for a long period.
• Stop for suspected side effects: rash, itching, nausea or stomach pain need advice. Breathing difficulty, a severe allergic reaction, vomiting blood or bloody stools require immediate medical care.

Your last check, for yourself or a family request

• Match the requested box: A and A EX differ, as do QUICK and DX. “EVE” alone is not enough to choose a replacement.
• Think about driving before use: the restriction on four products can affect a road-trip plan.
• Check dose and pack size: THREE SHOT uses three tablets per dose, the other four use two. Compare prices for the same product and pack size.

Questions before you buy or use it

Sources and photo credits

Product facts and directions refer to the Japanese products. Official photographs support the comparisons and package identification in this guide; the package artwork has not been redrawn. Match the full Japanese name and the leaflet supplied with your pack, as designs and sizes can change.

• SSP: EVE products, ingredients and package photographs
• SSP: Japanese and translated package inserts