Hi, I’m Irene, a Taiwanese pharmacist working in Japan.
You came to buy the familiar round patches for someone at home, but the shelf also has “Cool,” “Large” and “Loxoprofen.” Start with the formula, then choose the size. Here’s how to tell them apart and actually apply them.
Think of these six Roihi patches as three families: warm circles, cool circles and warm loxoprofen rectangles. Each family has a standard and a large size. The larger version has the same active-ingredient concentrations within its family; size alone does not make it an “extra-strength” formula. There is no simple weakest-to-strongest ranking across all six.
Read the full Japanese name: three formulas, two sizes each
This guide covers the six patches currently listed in the Japanese official range. Roihi cream is a separate product; older felbinac patches marked discontinued by the manufacturer are not included as current options. Products sold locally in Taiwan, Korea or elsewhere may have different labeling: follow the pack you actually have.
1. Warm circles: ロイヒつぼ膏 / ロイヒつぼ膏 大判
These have a warming sensation. Alongside methyl salicylate, menthol and other ingredients, they contain nonivamide (ノニル酸ワニリルアミド), which produces the warming stimulus. Japanese labeled uses include stiff shoulders, low-back pain, bruises, sprains, joint and muscle pain, muscle fatigue and chilblains. If you want the familiar warm circles, check that the name does not say クール.
2. Cool circles: ロイヒつぼ膏 クール / クール大判
クール means cool. These contain methyl salicylate, menthol and camphor in a different formula from the warm circles. Labeled uses include stiff shoulders, low-back pain, bruises, sprains, joint and muscle pain, and muscle fatigue; chilblains are not listed. Nichiban’s FAQ says the warm/cool choice can be based on which feels comfortable. A cooling sensation is not ice treatment, and the word “Cool” cannot tell you how an acute injury should be managed.
3. Warm loxoprofen rectangles: ロイヒ膏 ロキソプロフェン / 大判
These contain loxoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). They are rectangular, and their Japanese name does not include つぼ. Both sizes are warm-feeling, odorless patches containing 8.1 g of loxoprofen sodium hydrate per 100 g of medicated adhesive, equivalent to 7.14 g anhydrous loxoprofen sodium.
Labeled uses include low-back pain, shoulder pain associated with stiffness, joint and muscle pain, tenosynovitis-related hand or wrist pain, elbow pain, bruises and sprains. This family has its own restrictions: age 15 and over, once daily, with daily patch limits and a ban on combining it with other topical anti-inflammatory pain medicines. Do not use it like a handful of coin patches.
Ingredient check: amounts per 100 g of medicated adhesive
- Warm circles: methyl salicylate 7.17 g, l-menthol 3.25 g, peppermint oil 0.35 g, dl-camphor 2.51 g, thymol 0.05 g and nonivamide 0.03 g.
- Cool circles: methyl salicylate 6.7 g, l-menthol 6.7 g and dl-camphor 3.3 g.
- Loxoprofen rectangles: loxoprofen sodium hydrate 8.1 g, equivalent to 7.14 g anhydrous. The warming ingredient is listed among the additives.
Percentages of different medicines are not directly comparable measures of pain relief. The circles are Japanese Class 3 OTC medicines; loxoprofen is Class 2. These categories are not an efficacy ranking.
Is “Large” stronger? Choose coverage first
- Standard circles, 2.8 cm: convenient for a small sore area; more patches per pack.
- Large circles, 3.9 cm: roughly twice the surface area, useful for a broader sore area and easier to handle.
- Loxoprofen standard versus large: 70 versus 140 cm². The large patch covers twice the area, but its daily limit is two rather than four patches.
A larger area does not mean a higher concentration or guaranteed double pain relief. When buying for someone else, bring a photograph of their full box rather than relying on the portrait logo or the round shape.
How to apply Roihi coin patches: find the sore area, then peel
You do not need to memorize acupuncture points. The circle-patch instructions say to gently press with a finger and identify the area that feels sore or stiff, then apply to intact skin there. The dots in the official examples are illustrative positions, not a prescription to use every dot. Do not press hard to hunt for a “correct” point.
- Check your skin. Do not apply over broken skin, eczema, irritation or redness from an earlier patch. Wipe away sweat and clean the area.
- Bend the backing film gently. This lifts the edge of the circle. Lift it from that edge instead of picking at its center and folding the adhesive onto itself.
- Place it flat over the sore area. The official shoulder and lower-back examples below apply to the round patches; they do not establish a required number of patches.
- Watch your skin and comfort. Remove and stop using the product if stinging, itching, redness, swelling or a rash occurs. Do not wait for a scheduled change.
Two practical examples: shoulder and lower back
- A sore shoulder after sitting: identify the small sore area on intact skin and position a standard circle there. A large circle may suit a broader area. You do not have to mirror the placement on both sides.
- Localized lower-back soreness: choose a symptomatic area where the patch can lie flat. A large circle offers broader coverage; there is no need to line patches along your entire spine.
- If loxoprofen has been checked as suitable: remove the film and place the rectangle over the affected area. Use one patch per site per day. Do not translate the illustrated circle dots into a loxoprofen patch count.
Irene’s tip: Leave time to observe your skin on first use. If you are about to bathe, visit an onsen or exercise and sweat, do not rush to apply a warm patch. Putting up with increasing irritation does not make the treatment work better.
How long to wear them and how many to use
| Formula | Timing | Age and quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Warm circles, both sizes | The Japanese leaflet says to remove the backing and apply to the affected area; it does not give a fixed hourly replacement schedule. The FAQ’s approximate 5–12 hours of perceived effect is not a guaranteed duration or a prescribed wear time. | The checked Japanese leaflets do not state a numerical minimum age or daily patch maximum. Children require parental supervision. Unspecified numbers do not mean suitable for every age or unlimited use. |
| Cool circles, both sizes | The leaflet says to apply several times a day, without a fixed hourly interval. Do not borrow the loxoprofen “24 hours” instruction. | No numerical minimum age or daily patch maximum is given in the checked Japanese leaflets; children require parental supervision. Ask a pharmacist before use on a child or over many areas. |
| Loxoprofen, both sizes | Once daily, one patch per site per day. Up to 24 hours of wear; fading warmth is not a reason to add another. Do not use continuously for two weeks or longer. | Age 15+. At most four standard patches OR two large patches daily. When mixing sizes, the maximum combination is two standard plus one large, not the sum of both separate limits. |
All three families have a review point: if symptoms have not improved after 5–6 days, stop and consult a doctor, pharmacist or registered OTC seller with the packaging or leaflet. Seek advice sooner if things worsen.
Bathing, heat and sensitive skin
- Warm circles: remove about 30 minutes to one hour before bathing; never bathe wearing them. Avoid applying immediately after bathing. Heat packs, electric blankets and other heat sources may increase irritation.
- Cool circles: the checked Japanese leaflets do not specify a fixed number of minutes before or after bathing. Check the directions on your own pack rather than using the warm-patch timing. Apply to clean, dry skin; check your own pack or ask a pharmacist about bathing or onsen use.
- Loxoprofen: remove at least 30 minutes before bathing and wait at least 30 minutes afterward before applying. Do not bathe wearing it. External heat can also intensify irritation.
For sensitive skin, the leaflets recommend a test piece on the inner arm for at least half a day: approximately 1 cm square for the circles, or 1–2 cm square for loxoprofen. Check for rash, redness, itching or dermatitis before fuller use. Remove immediately if the test causes symptoms; do not force yourself to complete the test time. Avoid repeatedly applying to exactly the same spot when your skin is sensitive, and inspect the skin before the next application.
Before buying for family: checks that matter more than size
- All four circles: seek advice first if you or your family have an allergic tendency, or if medicines have caused allergic symptoms. Warm circles contain natural rubber; check the ingredients if you have a relevant allergy.
- Do not use loxoprofen: under age 15; with a previous allergy to this product or its ingredients; or if fever/pain medicines, cold medicines or topical pain medicines have triggered asthma.
- Ask before loxoprofen: if receiving medical treatment, you have a medicine-allergy history or asthma, are pregnant or possibly pregnant, or are older. The manufacturer’s FAQ defines the older group as 65+. If pregnant or breastfeeding, have a clinician or pharmacist check your Roihi choice before use.
- Do not stack pain treatments: while using loxoprofen patches, do not use other topical anti-inflammatory pain medicines, including the circles or pain-relief creams. Ask a pharmacist about oral pain medicines; if receiving medical treatment, ask your doctor.
- Avoid unsuitable skin: no application near the eyes, on mucous membranes, eczema, irritated skin or wounds. Loxoprofen also excludes areas with fungal infection such as athlete’s foot or ringworm, or pus.
Stop and seek advice for rash, itching, swelling, peeling or skin pain. Loxoprofen can also cause blisters, bruising, pigmentation, stomach discomfort, upper-abdominal pain or edema; persistent or worsening diarrhea or loose stools also require stopping and consultation. Trouble breathing, hoarseness, hives with systemic symptoms or altered consciousness require urgent medical care.
These patches provide temporary symptom relief. Marked or worsening pain or swelling after injury, or difficulty moving normally, needs prompt medical assessment. Numbness or tingling in an injured area, or back pain with symptoms in both legs, altered sensation around the genitals or anus, or bladder or bowel changes, needs immediate medical care. Do not keep switching to bigger patches.
Frequently asked questions
Is the large patch an extra-strength version?
Within each family, the standard and large sizes have the same active-ingredient concentrations. Large circles cover roughly twice the area. Large loxoprofen patches also cover twice the area but have a lower daily patch limit; double coverage does not guarantee double pain relief.
Are cool patches gentler or less likely to cause an allergy?
That cannot be guaranteed. Warm and cool circles have different active and adhesive formulas, and both can cause skin reactions. Cooling does not mean hypoallergenic or replace ice treatment.
Do I have to find an acupuncture point?
No specific acupuncture point is required. The official circle-patch instructions describe gently locating a sore or stiff area and applying to intact skin there. The illustrated dots are examples rather than a prescription everyone must copy.
Can I add a loxoprofen patch when the warmth fades?
Do not add one just because the warm sensation fades. Use once daily, one patch per site per day. Sensation and medicine action are different; wear can be up to 24 hours, but the bathing removal rule still applies.
Can loxoprofen be combined with coin patches or pain creams?
Do not use other topical anti-inflammatory pain medicines while using loxoprofen patches. Ask a pharmacist about oral pain medicines; if receiving medical treatment, ask your doctor.
Does the absence of a numerical age limit make the circles suitable for toddlers?
No. The checked Japanese leaflets require parental supervision for children but give no numerical minimum age. Ask a pharmacist before use on a young child. Loxoprofen explicitly must not be used under age 15.
Three final checks at the shelf
- Warm circles, クール circles, or ロキソプロフェン rectangles?
- Which size fits the sore area? “Large” is a coverage choice.
- Have you checked age, allergies, asthma history, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and other pain medicines?
For external use only; never swallow a patch. Keep the outer box and leaflet after opening. Reseal as directed, store away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry place out of children’s reach, and do not use after the expiry date.
Sources and official leaflets
Official Nichiban product sources and NHS clinical guidance, accessed October 9, 2026. Read the complete leaflet supplied with your product. This guide helps with identification and directions; it does not replace individual assessment.
- Warm circles: product information
- Large warm circles: product information
- Cool circles: product information
- Large cool circles: product information
- Loxoprofen: both sizes, directions and precautions
- Nichiban shoulder and back-pain medicine FAQ
- Roihi brand FAQ: choosing warm or cool
- Warm circles: peeling steps and placement examples
- Cool circles: application instructions
- Current Roihi product range
- NHS: sprains and strains, when to seek help
- NHS: back pain, when to seek help
- Standard warm-circle leaflet
- Standard cool-circle leaflet
- Standard loxoprofen leaflet
- Large loxoprofen leaflet
- Large warm-circle leaflet
- Large cool-circle leaflet
