What is Salsalate: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Salsalate overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Disalcid

Generic Names:

  • Salsalate

Uses:

  • Treats pain and arthritis. This medicine is an NSAID.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Analgesic, Antipyretic, Antirheumatic

Forms:

  • Capsule, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Salsalate used for?

Salsalate is a member of the salicylates drug group and is used to treat arthritis symptoms including swelling, joint stiffness, and pain. It targets the substance in the body that causes fever, inflammation, and pain.

What form(s) does Salsalate come in

  • Capsule

  • Tablet

What are common Salsalate doses?

  • Tablet 500MG

  • Tablet 750MG

Common Salsalate prescriptions

  • Salsalate
    500mg tablet

  • Salsalate
    750mg tablet

How to take Salsalate

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Use this medicine for the shortest time possible and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Use this medicine for the shortest time possible and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Salsalate

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Salsalate contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to salsalate, aspirin, or other pain and arthritis medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Vioxx®. You should not use this medicine if you have asthma problems. Do not use this medicine right before or right after having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a type of heart surgery.

Salsalate warnings

  • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Sudden or severe headache.

  • This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.

  • This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner).

  • This medicine can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome. It occurs mostly in children and teenagers, but can affect someone at any age. Do not give this medicine to anyone who has chicken pox or symptoms of a virus or the flu, unless your doctor has told you to. If a child has behavior changes along with nausea and vomiting while using this medicine, call the doctor right away.

  • Flu-like symptoms.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Rapid weight gain.

  • Ringing in your ears.

  • Severe stomach pain.

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Skin rash or blisters with fever.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of ulcers or other stomach problems. Tell your doctor if you have bleeding problems, liver disease, or kidney disease. Make sure your doctor knows if you have high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), or other heart or circulation problems.

Salsalate interactions

  • This medicine can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome. It occurs mostly in children and teenagers, but can affect someone at any age. Do not give this medicine to anyone who has chicken pox or symptoms of a virus or the flu, unless your doctor has told you to. If a child has behavior changes along with nausea and vomiting while using this medicine, call the doctor right away.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or a steroid such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Orapred®. Tell your doctor if you are using methotrexate (Trexall®), or a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®.

  • Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using penicillin, phenytoin (Dilantin®), thyroid medicine (Synthroid®, Unithroid®), gout medicine (sulfinpyrazone, Anturane®), or a diabetes medicine such as glyburide, metformin, or Glucotrol®.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Salsalate side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Ringing in your ears.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Sudden or severe headache.

  • Flu-like symptoms.

  • Severe stomach pain.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.

  • Skin rash or blisters with fever.

  • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Rapid weight gain.

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Bloody or black, tarry stools.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Mild nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain.

  • Dizziness.