Salsalate tablets or capsules

What are salsalate tablets or capsules?

SALSALATE (Amigesic®, Argesic-SA®, Disalcid®, Marthritic®, Mono-Gesic®, Salflex®, Salsitab®) relieves the mild to moderate pain caused by a variety of conditions including arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, headaches, menstrual cramps or pain, minor injuries, and others. Salsalate reduces fever, pain, and inflammation (swelling and redness). Generic salsalate tablets are available.

What should my health care professional know before I take salsalate?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia

• bleeding or clotting problems

• drink more than 3 alcohol-containing beverages a day

• gout

• heart disease, including heart failure

• high blood pressure

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• smoke tobacco

• stomach ulcers, or other stomach problems

• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

• ulcerative colitis

• vitamin K deficiency

• an unusual or allergic reaction to salsalate, other salicylates, tartrazine dye, other medicines, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take tablets or capsules of salsalate by mouth with a large glass of water. You may take the tablets with food to help decrease stomach upset. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you are taking salsalate on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with salsalate?

• alcohol

• antacids (in large doses)

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)

• hormones such as prednisone or cortisone

• medicines used to treat or prevent blood clots

• medicines for diabetes that are taken by mouth

• medicines for gout

• methotrexate

• seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking salsalate?

Many non-prescription medicines contain aspirin as an ingredient. To prevent accidental overdose, read labels carefully and do not combine salsalate with aspirin or other medicines unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to.

If you are taking salsalate for arthritis or other types of pain, it can take up to 3 weeks to get the maximum effect. Do not stop taking without asking your prescriber or health care professional.

If you are taking oral medicines to decrease your blood sugar, large doses of magnesium salicylate may increase the levels of these drugs. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Choline salicylate can irritate your stomach. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol; these increase irritation in your stomach and may cause ulcers or bleeding problems. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking choline salicylate to prevent irritation to your throat.

What side effects may I notice from taking salsalate?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• signs or symptoms of bleeding from the stomach or intestine such as black, tarry stools, stomach pain, vomiting up blood or what looks like coffee grounds

• confusion

• difficulty breathing, wheezing

• ringing in the ears or changes in hearing

• skin rash, hives

• unusual bleeding or bruising, red or purple spots on the skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea or constipation

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach gas, heartburn

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.