Salsalate

Generic Name : Salsalate

TradeName : Salamide, Biospirin, Alphapyrine,

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Salsalate is used to treat the pain and inflammation of arthritis. It is chemically related to aspirin and other salicylates.

When it is to be taken : Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Salsalate will be effective only if you follow the schedule prescribed by your doctor.

How it should be taken : Salsalate comes in the form of tablets and capsules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not take more medication than is recommended unless directed to do so by your doctor. Salsalate should be taken with food or a full gl

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor so your response can be evaluated.
2. Taking large doses of salsalate, aspirin, or other salicylates, or taking them over a long time, can cause dizziness or mental confusion, rapid breathing, continuous ringing or buzzing in the ears, and headache.
3. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor if any of these symptoms occurs.
4. To prevent an overdose of salicylates, read the labels before taking other pain relievers and cold products to be sure that they do not contain aspirin.
5. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, omit the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain. Take the drug with food or a full glass of milk or water.
2. Ringing in the ears, loss of hearing, bloody or black stools, wheezing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath. Stop taking salsalate and contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Alcoholic beverages may increase the stomach problems that can be caused by this drug.
2. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors.
3. Salsalate, aspirin, and other salicylates should not be taken within three months of delivery or while breast-feeding.
4. Before taking salsalate, tell your doctor if you have had a bad reaction to aspirin or other medication for arthritis
or pain.
5. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
6. Tell your doctor if you have anemia, diabetes, gout, hemophilia or other bleeding problems, Hodgkin's disease, kidney disease, liver disease, heat disease and ulcers or other stomach problems.
7. Regular use of salsalate may cause inaccurate results of urine tests. Diabetics should ask their doctors how to test for urine sugar.

Storage Conditions :
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.