GENERIC NAME: salsalate

BRAND NAMES: Disalcid, Salflex

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Salsalate is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. Salsalate is chemically closely related to aspirin. As a group, NSAIDs are non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including injury, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Since the response to different NSAIDs varies from patient to patient, it is not unusual for a doctor to try different NSAIDs for any given condition.

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PREPARATIONS: capsule: 500mg; tablets: 500mg, 750mg

STORAGE: Store at room temperature, sealed container, avoid moisture.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Salsalate is used for the rapid relief of mild to moderate pain and fever. Salsalate is also used for the treatment of inflammation and pain of soft tissue injuries, tendinitis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other related arthritis conditions.

DOSING: Should be taken with food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Salsalate should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or poor kidney function, since this medication can aggravate both conditions. Salsalate, like aspirin, contains salicylate. Therefore, adding aspirin to salsalate can cause salicylate toxicity. Reye's disease is a rare but serious illness leading to liver failure and coma, usually in children with chicken pox, influenza and other viral infections. Salsalate, like aspirin, is avoided in children having these viral infections because of the possible association between Reyes's disease and the use of salicylate containing drugs. Salsalate can increase the blood uric acid level and is avoided in patients with hyperuricemia and gout. Salsalate is not habit forming. Salsalate can increase the effect of oral medicines used to treat diabetes mellitus, resulting in abnormally low blood sugars if not monitored.

PREGNANCY: Salsalate is generally avoided during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: Salsalate is generally avoided in nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: Most patients benefit from salsalate and other NSAIDs with few side effects. However, serious side effects can occur, and generally tend to be dose related. Therefore, it is advisable to use the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. The most common side effects of salsalate involve the gastrointestinal system and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). It can cause ulcerations, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding and liver toxicity. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and bleeding can occur without any abdominal pain. Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing may be the only signs of internal bleeding. Patients who develop tinnitus may need to reduce the dose of salsalate. Rash, kidney impairment, vertigo, and lightheadedness can also occur.

Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997

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