Salsalate
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
Salsalate is used to relieve mild pain, to reduce fever, and to reduce
the pain and inflammation (swelling) caused by arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should Salsalate be used?
Salsalate comes as a tablet and capsule to take by mouth. Follow the
directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to
explain any part you do not understand. Take salsalate exactly as directed. Do not take
more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Children should not take salsalate for fevers associated with flu or
chickenpox because such use may result in a serious illness known as Reye's syndrome.
Before taking salsalate,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to salsalate, aspirin or other
medications for arthritis or pain, or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially acetazolamide (Diamox); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as
warfarin (Coumadin); corticosteroids such as cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone
(Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), prednisone (Deltasone); medications for diabetes,
gout, or high blood pressure; methotrexate; nizatidine (Azid); valproic acid (Depakene,
Depakote); and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia, diabetes, hemophilia or other
bleeding problems, ulcers, asthma, kidney or liver disease, gout, Hodgkin's disease, or
nasal polyps.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking salsalate, call your doctor. Salsalate, aspirin, and
other salicylates should not be taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy or while
breast-feeding.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking salsalate. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking salsalate 1 week before
surgery.
- remember that you should not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from salsalate are not common, they can occur.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- stomach pain
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- ringing in the ears
- loss of hearing
- bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
- dizziness
- mental confusion
- drowsiness
- skin rash
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