salsalate Health Article

Generic name(s):

salsalate

Brand name(s):

Disalcid, Salsitab

What is the most important information I should know about salsalate?

Take salsalate with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset, unless you are taking any enteric coated tablet. Do not break, chew, or crush the enteric-coated tablets. Swallow them whole.

Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in your vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to the stomach.

Avoid alcohol during treatment with salsalate. Together, alcohol and salsalate may increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach.

What is salsalate?

Salsalate is in a class of drugs called salicylates. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

Salsalate is used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and related rheumatic conditions.

Salsalate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking salsalate?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,

• have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach,

• drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,

• have liver or kidney disease,

• have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,

• have congestive heart failure,

• have fluid retention,

• have heart disease, or

• have high blood pressure.

You may not be able to take salsalate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Salsalate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether salsalate will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether salsalate passes into breast milk. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use salsalate to treat a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox without first talking to a doctor. In children younger than 18 years of age, salsalate may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but often fatal condition.

How should I take salsalate?

Take salsalate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take salsalate with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.

Do not take salsalate more often than every 4 hours, and do not take more than is recommended. If your condition does not improve within 3 to 4 days, seek medical attention.

Be aware of the salicylate (aspirin) content of other over-the-counter and prescription products. Care should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended amount of salicylate per dose or per day.

Store salsalate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember and do not take another dose for at least 4 hours. Do not take a double dose of the medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an salsalate overdose include ringing in the ears, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, seizures, rapid breathing, and fever.