Salsalate

Generic name: Salsalate
Dosage form: oral tablet (500 mg; 750 mg)
Drug class: Salicylates

Usage of Salsalate

Salsalate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates).

Salsalate is used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatic disorder.

Salsalate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Salsalate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Salsalate may cause serious side effects. Stop using salsalate and call your doctor at once if you have:

swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;

severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

pale skin, unusual tiredness, cold hands and feet;

liver problems--nausea, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or

signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech, balance problems.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from salsalate.

Common side effects of salsalate may include:

nausea;

hearing problems;

a spinning sensation;

rash; or

abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Salsalate

Salsalate can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don't have any risk factors. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Salsalate may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using salsalate, especially in older adults.

You should not use salsalate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

severe kidney disease; or

a history of severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin, an NSAID, or other salicylates.

Do not take this medicine if you have a fever, flu symptoms, or chickenpox. Salicylates can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition, if you have any of these conditions.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure;

a stroke or heart attack;

swelling or fluid retention;

a stomach ulcer;

bleeding in your stomach or intestines;

liver or kidney disease;

asthma; or

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.

If you are pregnant, you should not take salsalate unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Salsalate

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

3000 mg orally per day in 2 or 3 divided dosesComments:-Lower doses may be necessary to achieve therapeutic blood concentration and to avoid more common side effects (e.g., auditory effects).-Alleviation of symptoms is gradual and full benefit may not be achieved for 3 to 4 days.Uses: For the relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and related rheumatic disorder

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Warnings

You should not use salsalate if you have severe kidney disease, or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin, an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), or other salicylates.

Salsalate can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). Salsalate may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal.

What other drugs will affect Salsalate

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect salsalate, especially:

lithium;

methotrexate;

Naproxen;

phenytoin;

penicillin;

a diuretic or "water pill";

oral diabetes medicine;

heart or blood pressure medication--Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril;

a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

steroid medicine--prednisone, Dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect salsalate. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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