Frequently Asked Questions
When should Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE NOT be used?
The product should not be used on the face or rashes, on wounds or damaged skin, with a heating pad, when sweating (such as from exercise or heat), if allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs, with any patch from a pouch that has been open for 14 or more days, or right before or after heart surgery. Do not use during the last 3 months of pregnancy because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery. If you are under 18 years of age, do not use this product. It has not been shown to work in children.
Is Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE Safe?
The original Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch had a proven clinical effectiveness and safety profile. The patch had been tested in clinical trials involving over 800 patients.
What is an NSAID?
An NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) is indicated for symptomatic relief of conditions where pain is present.
What are the active ingredients in Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE?
The active ingredients in this patch are Menthol and Methyl Salicylate.
Methyl salicylate is hydrolyzed to salicylic acid in the skin. Its pharmacological actions are considered to be those of salicylic acid, and its mechanism of action is reported to be due to an inhibitory effect on prostaglandin biosynthesis. Methyl salicylate is also considered to have a counterirritant effect (Futami et al., 1984).
Menthol acts as a counterirritant, and has been reported to have analgesic effects, including local anesthetic actions, secondary to the activation of endogenous opioid receptors (Taniguchi et al., 1994). It has also been reported that l-menthol significantly suppresses the production of inflammatory mediators (LTB4, PGE2, and IL-1 beta) by monocytes in vitro (Juergens et al., 1998).
Can Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE be taken along with oral pain relief products?
Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product. The chance of a stomach bleed is small but higher if you take other drugs containing an NSAID (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others). Consult a doctor is you are taking a diuretic. Only one patch may be used at a time.
What are the benefits of applying Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE instead of taking a pill?
Using a patch allows for direct delivery of the active ingredient to the site of the pain and provides the option of discontinuing medication use. While many oral non-prescription pain relief medications require a dose every 4-6 hours, the effectiveness of Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE lasts up to 12 hours.
Can children use Salonpas® products?
All Salonpas® products, except Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE, can be used for children 12 years old and over. The Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE is only approved for usage for adults aged 18+. Parents should speak with a pediatrician before applying Salonpas® to a child.
What is the shelf-life/expiration date of Salonpas®?
The shelf-life of Salonpas® products are 2 to 3 years from the production date. The expiration date is on the box of each product.
Is there an odorless or odor-free Salonpas®?
There are number of unscented Salonpas® products. The Salonpas® LIDOCAINE PLUS Cream and Liquid, Salonpas® LIDOCAINE Pain Relieving Gel-Patch, and Salonpas® HOT are all unscented.
What will happen if I use Salonpas® products with other external analgesic patch, gel, and/or cream at the same time?
It is not recommended to use Salonpas® products with other external analgesic (patches, gels, creams, etc.) at the same time.
How soon should I expect relief?
Pain relief generally occurs within one hour of application, but in some individuals, pain relief may take shorter and some longer. Some individuals may not experience pain relief until several hours after applying.
Is it harmful to use an expired Salonpas®?
Active ingredients in expired products may have lost effectiveness due to evaporation. Expired patches may not have adequate adhesiveness. Salonpas® does not recommend using expired products.
What will happen if I use Salonpas® which is open for more than 14 days?
14 days after a package of Salonpas® patches is opened, the active ingredients of Salonpas® may have evaporated and lost effectiveness. Salonpas® does not recommend using patches that have been opened for more than 14 days.
How often can I use Salonpas® per day?
Please refer to the individual Drug Facts contained in the Products section for specific directions.
Why can’t I use Salonpas® for more than 7 days?
Salonpas® temporarily relieves minor pains and aches. If your symptom persists beyond 7 days, a physician should be consulted as stated on the label. Salonpas® and other OTC external analgesics should not be used on a continuous basis without consulting a physician.
Why remove patches after 8/12 hours? Is it harmful to leaved it applied for more than 8/12 hours?
Please follow the directions on the drug label for each Salonpas® product. All products except the Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE are labeled to be applied for up to 8 hours. The Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE is labeled to be applied for up to 12 hours.
Can I engage in physical activity while wearing Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE?
Yes. The patch conforms to the unique contours of each individual’s body and will accommodate strenuous and high-impact activities. Salonpas®provides effective pain relief while allowing you to maintain your active lifestyle. However, do not use the patch when sweating (such as from exercise or heat).
Is Salonpas® reusable?
No, Salonpas® patches are designed for one-time use. They cannot be used more than once.
How many patches can I apply at a time?
For Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE, HOT, LIDOCAINE Pain Relieving Gel-Patch, and Pain Relieving Gel-Patch HOT, please use only 1 patch at a time.
For Salonpas® Pain Relieving Patch, up to 6 patches can be used at a time.
For Salonpas® Pain Relieving Patch LARGE, up to 2 patches can be used at a time.
Can I cut Salonpas® patches?
Salonpas® patches can be cut, but the effectiveness could change.
Is there an easy way to remove the patch?
If you have a hard time removing a Salonpas® patch, soak the area in warm water while taking a bath for shower until the patch becomes easier to peel off.
Why do I have to wash hands after applying or removing a patch?
If you touch a mucous membrane such as eyes or the inside of your mouth with the residue of these ingredients on your hands, it is possible that you may experience a stinging sensation or irritation. Please wash your hands thoroughly.
Why does the Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE label discuss stomach bleeds?
This product carries the standard warning that is required for FDA-approved NSAIDs. The original product (Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch) has been proven to be safe and effective in a well-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. No serious NSAID-related events were reported in the clinical trial program, which evaluated over 800 patients.
I have a latex allergy. Does Salonpas® contain rubber?
The only Salonpas® patch that contains rubber is the Salonpas® HOT patch.
The other Salonpas® patches are not made with latex.
I have an aspirin allergy. Can I use Salonpas®?
If you are allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs, please do not use Salonpas®.
Can I keep wearing a Salonpas® patch during an MRI scan?
In some circumstances, a medicated patch can overheat during an MRI scan and could cause skin burns in the immediate area of the patch. It is recommended that the patch be removed and disposed before having an MRI scan and replaced with a fresh patch after the procedure.
Does Salonpas® make your blood pressure higher?
There is no evidence to suggest that Salonpas® may cause high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease, please ask a doctor before using this product.
Can I take Salonpas® if I have diabetes?
Please consult your doctor before using Salonpas® if you have diabetes.
Does Salonpas® work for cramps?
Salonpas® temporarily relieves aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with arthritis, simple backache, strains, bruises and sprains.
Can I use Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE if pregnant?
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use methyl salicylate at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.
Can I use Salonpas® while breast feeding?
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use methyl salicylate at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.
How many days should I be concerned before or after heart surgery? And if there is any specific type of heart surgery or disease make a difference?
The description follows the NSAID warning for a systemic dose: At least during hospitalization prior to, and following surgery, please do not use the Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch LARGE. As for the periods before and after hospitalization, please consult your doctor. The risk regarding heart surgery, heart disease, age difference, etc. is not clear.