Looking at LOXONIN S, EX and warm patches in a Japanese drugstore? Check whether you can use them first, then choose the feel and sheet size. EX has a higher printed concentration, but a same-size patch contains the same amount of the main pain-relieving ingredient as S.
Product information checked: 12 October 2026. This guide covers Japanese-market over-the-counter products. Pack sizes and shop availability can vary.
I’m Irene, a Taiwan-born, Japan-licensed pharmacist working in a Japanese drugstore. Let’s separate the three details that make this shelf confusing: formula, patch size and how many you can use in a day.
Before choosing a patch
- Do not use these products under age 15, including mini.
- Do not use them if you have had an allergic reaction to the product or its ingredients, or an asthma attack triggered by a painkiller, fever medicine, cold medicine or topical pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medicine.
- If pregnant or possibly pregnant, consult your doctor first. Also get advice before use if you are receiving medical treatment, have a history of medicine allergies, are an older adult or have diagnosed bronchial asthma.
- Do not apply around the eyes, to mucous membranes, eczema, irritated or broken skin, fungal infections or areas with pus. Do not use another topical pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medicine while using these patches, including another medicated patch, gel or lotion.
In Japan, a pharmacist or registered OTC medicine seller can help with the label checks; pregnancy questions should go to your doctor.
A quick way to narrow the choice
These options are for eligible users seeking short-term relief of local pain. Their shared labelled uses include lower-back pain, shoulder pain associated with stiffness, muscle and joint pain, and pain from conditions such as sprains or bruises.
| What matters to you? | Start by comparing | Check the box for |
|---|---|---|
| A basic formula with one active ingredient | S Tape | Standard, mini or L size |
| Cooling sensation and a thinner patch | EX Tape | Standard or L; two added active ingredients |
| A warming feel for pain associated with stiffness | S Warm Tape | The word 温感 and bathing precautions |
Cooling and warmth do not rank pain-relieving strength. If pain is worsening or you suspect an injury that needs treatment, seek medical assessment rather than waiting for the stop-use deadline.
Match the box to the formula
S Tape: the basic formula
Look for ロキソニンSテープ. Its active ingredient is loxoprofen sodium hydrate, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. S Tape comes in standard, mini and L sizes, so you can compare coverage within the same formula.
One active ingredient does not mean there are no other ingredients or no allergy risk. The S patch also lists menthol among its additives.
EX Tape: added menthol and vitamin E, with a thinner design
Look for ロキソニンEXテープ. Alongside loxoprofen sodium hydrate, EX contains l-menthol and tocopherol acetate, a vitamin E ingredient. The menthol provides a cooling sensation and helps relieve pain; tocopherol acetate promotes circulation at the affected area.
The manufacturer describes EX as approximately 30% thinner than S. That can help you compare how the patch is designed to feel. It does not mean 30% more pain relief or guarantee that it will stay attached better for everyone.
S Warm Tape: check the bathing precautions
Look for ロキソニンS温感テープ. The added warming ingredient is nonivamide, listed in Japanese as ノナン酸バニリルアミド. Its warming action promotes circulation at the affected area and helps relieve pain.
If you prefer a warming sensation, compare this with S and EX. Do not heat the patched area with an electric blanket, heated table or similar heat source. If your trip includes frequent baths, the removal and reapplication timing below matters too.
Package images: Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare official product pages. These representative seven-patch packs are shown for identification. Check the full name and instructions on the pack you buy.
Why 8.10% EX does not mean 1.4 times the pain relief
The percentage tells you how much loxoprofen sodium hydrate is present in 100 g of medicated adhesive. You also need to know how much adhesive is on one patch.
For the same 7 × 10 cm sheet size:
| Detail | S Tape | EX Tape |
|---|---|---|
| Medicated adhesive per patch | 1 g | 0.7 g |
| Loxoprofen sodium hydrate concentration | 5.67% | 8.10% |
| Calculated amount of that ingredient per patch | 56.7 mg | 56.7 mg |
| Other active ingredients | None | l-Menthol and tocopherol acetate |
EX contains the same amount of the main pain-relieving ingredient in less adhesive, with two additional active ingredients. Dividing 8.10 by 5.67 does not establish that EX gives about 1.4 times the pain relief. Matching ingredient amounts does not establish identical clinical effectiveness either.
The same calculation applies to L: S uses 2 g of adhesive and EX uses 1.4 g, giving 113.4 mg of loxoprofen sodium hydrate in each. These calculations compare the same ingredient. Percentages of different medicines in other brands cannot be used to rank strength.
Sheet size changes the daily patch limit
Check the sheet dimensions marked サイズ. A large outer box or “7枚入” tells you about packaging or the number inside, not the area of each patch.
All the products below are for ages 15 and over, applied once daily. The maximum is for the whole body, not a separate allowance for each painful area.
| Product and sheet size | Maximum per day |
|---|---|
| S mini: 5 × 7 cm | 8 patches |
| Standard S, EX or S Warm: 7 × 10 cm | 4 patches |
| S L, EX L or S Warm L: 10 × 14 cm | 2 patches |
| S PAP cooling poultice: 10 × 14 cm | 2 patches |
These are limits, not target doses. Do not add the allowances from different rows together or combine varieties to use more patches.
Mini is a smaller patch, not a children’s version
S mini launched on 15 April 2026. The manufacturer lists packs of 20 and 40. Its 5 × 7 cm sheet can be useful for smaller areas such as a wrist or ankle, but the minimum age remains 15.
Separate the joined mini patches as shown, then remove the backing and use as directed. The pack count refers to the individual small patches.
L covers twice the area of a standard sheet
At 10 × 14 cm, L covers twice the area of the standard sheet. It is worth comparing for a larger affected area such as the lower back. The daily limit falls from four standard patches to two L patches. Check the instructions on your exact S L, EX L or Warm L pack.
What about S PAP, gels and lotions?
S PAP (ロキソニンSパップ) is a cooling poultice patch. It has more medicated base and a different feel from thin Tape products. Each sheet is 10 × 14 cm; apply once daily and use no more than two per day. Its lower printed concentration does not establish weaker pain relief, because the amount of base also differs.
The current catalogue also lists S Gel, S Hard Gel, S Lotion a, EX Gel and EX Lotion. These are applied directly to the skin, with their own directions and limits. Do not follow the patch schedule for them, and do not add another topical anti-inflammatory pain medicine while using these patches.
How to apply them, and when to stop
- Check that the skin is intact, dry off sweat or water, remove the backing and apply to the affected area. Use only when you have symptoms.
- Apply once daily and stay within the whole-body limit for your size. The maker’s FAQs allow S, EX and Warm Tape to be worn for 24 hours. Remove sooner if a reaction occurs; you do not need to endure discomfort to complete the time.
- For people with delicate skin, the labels instruct a trial with a small square, about 1–2 cm on each side, on the inner arm for at least half a day. Check for redness, rash, itching or irritation before normal use. This does not override a reason you must not use the medicine.
- Stop and seek advice if symptoms have not improved after 5–6 days. Do not continue uninterrupted use for two weeks or longer. Ongoing pain needs medical assessment.
- Reseal unused patches in their original foil pouch. Store somewhere cool, dry, away from sunlight and out of children’s reach. Use promptly after opening and do not use expired patches.
Bathing: Warm Tape needs a longer gap
- Standard S and EX Tape: remove before bathing and use a new patch afterwards. Continue the once-daily routine; there is no need for another change the following morning.
- S Warm Tape: remove one hour before bathing. Wait about 30 minutes after bathing before applying a new one. The maker says this can then remain until one hour before the next day’s bath; no extra morning change is needed. Keep external heat away from the patched area.
Bathing is not a reason to increase the daily frequency or patch allowance. If your schedule makes the timing awkward, ask a pharmacist to help you plan it.
Reactions you should not ignore
Stop and seek advice for rash, redness, itching, swelling, stinging, dermatitis, blisters, bruising, skin pigmentation changes, stomach discomfort, upper-abdominal pain or fluid retention. Skin pain is also a listed reaction for Warm Tape. Stop and seek advice if diarrhoea or loose stools persist or worsen.
Get urgent medical help for signs of a serious allergic reaction soon after use, such as hives, a hoarse voice, breathing difficulty, palpitations or confusion. A medicine applied to the skin can still cause whole-body side effects.
Common questions
Can I use a patch while taking oral LOXONIN?
Do not assume this is suitable just because the routes differ. Ask a doctor or pharmacist to check the exact oral medicine, patch and any other pain or cold medicines. The patch labels explicitly prohibit other topical pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medicines; adding an oral medicine needs a separate assessment. For the tablet range, see the six oral LOXONIN options.
What if I am breastfeeding?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist to check the exact product and your other medicines, and tell them you are breastfeeding. Neither skin application nor the absence of a separate breastfeeding entry in these patch labels is a guarantee of suitability for every person.
Can I use S on my shoulder and EX or another brand elsewhere?
The labels say not to use another topical pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medicine during use. Applying it somewhere else does not remove that instruction. Ask a pharmacist before switching products or treating several painful areas.
Can a 14-year-old use mini?
No. Mini refers to sheet size. It is still prohibited below age 15.
How do these compare with Salonpas or Roihi?
See the separate guides to Salonpas Standard, Ae, EX and Warm and Roihi patch types and application. Check each product’s ingredients and restrictions before comparing feel. Percentages across different drugs do not provide a strength ranking.
Before paying, check the full product name, sheet dimensions, the user’s age and their other medicines. That is more useful than choosing the biggest box or highest percentage alone.
Sources
Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, checked 12 October 2026. Follow the instructions supplied with the product you buy.
- S Tape and label, EX Tape and label, S Warm Tape and label
- S mini, S L, EX L, Warm L, S PAP
- Formula and patch-design comparison, external-medicine explanation PDF
- Bathing FAQs for S, EX and Warm
- Wear-time FAQs for S, EX and Warm
- Current catalogue, choice of external dosage forms
