Brand Names: Disalcid, Salsitab

Generic Name: salsalate (Pronunciation: SAL sa late)

• What is salsalate (Disalcid)?
• What are the possible side effects of salsalate (Disalcid)?
• What is the most important information I should know about salsalate (Disalcid)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking salsalate (Disalcid)?
• How should I take salsalate (Disalcid)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Disalcid)?
• What happens if I overdose (Disalcid)?
• What should I avoid while taking salsalate (Disalcid)?
• What other drugs will affect salsalate (Disalcid)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is salsalate (Disalcid)?

Salsalate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). This medicine works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.

Salsalate is used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis.

Salsalate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of salsalate (Disalcid)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• chest pain, severe dizziness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• hearing problems, ringing in your ears;
• swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• easy bruising or bleeding, fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms;
• urinating more or less than usual;
• severe stomach pain, ongoing nausea or vomiting;
• dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, heartburn; or
• mild dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about salsalate (Disalcid)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin or to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

Before taking salsalate, tell your doctor if you have asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach or intestinal bleeding, diabetes, anemia, a bleeding disorder, liver or kidney disease, nasal polyps, a genetic enzyme deficiency, or if you are dehydrated.

Salsalate may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use salsalate just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, severe dizziness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking salsalate, especially in older adults.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This medication should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Salicylates can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.