Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

Other drug names:  A-Am  An-Az  B  C-Ch  Ci-Cz  D-Dh  Di-Dz  E  F  G  H  I-J  K-L  M-Mh  Mi-Mz  N-Nh  Ni-Nz  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q-R  S-Sn  So-Sz  T-To  Tp-Tz  U-V  W-Z  0-9

Salicylates  (Systemic)

Printer-friendly versionE-mail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Acuprin 811
  • Amigesic8
  • Anacin Caplets2
  • Anacin Maximum Strength2
  • Anacin Tablets2
  • Anaflex 7508
  • Arthritis Pain Ascriptin3
  • Arthritis Pain Formula3
  • Arthritis Strength Bufferin3
  • Arthropan5
  • Aspergum1
  • Aspirin Regimen Bayer Adult Low Dose1
  • Aspirin Regimen Bayer Regular Strength Caplets1
  • Aspir-Low1
  • Aspirtab1
  • Aspirtab-Max1
  • Backache Caplets7
  • Bayer Children's Aspirin1
  • Bayer Select Maximum Strength Backache Pain Relief Formula7
  • Bufferin Caplets3
  • Bufferin Tablets3
  • Buffex3
  • Buffinol3
  • Buffinol Extra3
  • Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever3
  • CMT6
  • Cope4
  • Disalcid8
  • Doan's Regular Strength Tablets7
  • Easprin1
  • Ecotrin Caplets1
  • Ecotrin Tablets1
  • Empirin1
  • Extended-release Bayer 8-Hour1
  • Extra Strength Bayer Arthritis Pain Formula Caplets 1
  • Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin Caplets1
  • Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin Tablets1
  • Extra Strength Bayer Plus Caplets3
  • Gensan2
  • Genuine Bayer Aspirin Caplets1
  • Genuine Bayer Aspirin Tablets1
  • Halfprin1
  • Healthprin Adult Low Strength1
  • Healthprin Full Strength1
  • Healthprin Half-Dose1
  • Magan7
  • Magnaprin3
  • Marthritic8
  • Maximum Strength Arthritis Foundation Safety Coated Aspirin1
  • Maximum Strength Ascriptin3
  • Maximum Strength Doan's Analgesic Caplets7
  • Mobidin7
  • Mono-Gesic8
  • Norwich Aspirin1
  • P-A-C Revised Formula2
  • Regular Strength Ascriptin3
  • Salflex8
  • Salsitab8
  • Sloprin1
  • St. Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin1
  • Tricosal6
  • Trilisate6
  • ZORprin1

In Canada—

  • Anacin2
  • Anacin Extra Strength2
  • Antidol2
  • Apo-Asa1
  • Apo-ASEN1
  • Arco Pain Tablet2
  • Arthrisin1
  • Artria S.R1
  • Aspergum1
  • Aspirin Caplets1
  • Aspirin Children's Tablets1
  • Aspirin, Coated1
  • Aspirin Plus Stomach Guard Extra Strength3
  • Aspirin Plus Stomach Guard Regular Strength3
  • Aspirin Tablets1
  • Astone2
  • Astrin1
  • Bufferin Caplets3
  • Bufferin Extra Strength Caplets3
  • Calmine2
  • C22
  • C2 Buffered4
  • Coryphen1
  • Disalcid8
  • Doan's Backache Pills7
  • Dodd's Extra Strength9
  • Dodd's Pills9
  • Dolomine2
  • Entrophen Caplets1
  • Entrophen Extra Strength1
  • Entrophen 15 Maximum Strength Tablets1
  • Entrophen 10 Super Strength Caplets1
  • Entrophen Tablets1
  • Gin Pain Pills9
  • Headache Tablet1
  • Herbopyrine2
  • Instantine2
  • Kalmex2
  • Nervine2
  • Novasen1
  • Novasen Sp.C1
  • Pain Aid2
  • PMS-ASA1
  • Sero-Gesic7
  • 217 Strong2
  • 2172
  • Tri-Buffered ASA3
  • Trilisate6

Note:

For quick reference, the following salicylates are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

Other commonly used names are: acetylsalicylic acid ASA# choline magnesium trisalicylate salicylsalicylic acid

This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Aspirin # (AS-pir-in)
2.  Aspirin and Caffeine (AS-pir-in and KAF-een)
3.  Buffered Aspirin # **
4.  Buffered Aspirin and Caffeine #
5.  Choline Salicylate (KOE-leen sa-LI-si-late)
6.  Choline and Magnesium Salicylates (KOE-leen and mag-NEE-zhum sa-LI-si-lates)
7.  Magnesium Salicylate (mag-NEE-zhum sa-LI-si-late)
8.  Salsalate (SAL-sa-late)
9.  Sodium Salicylate (SOE-dee-um sa-LI-si-late)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada
#  Aspirin is a brand name in Canada; acetylsalicylic acid is the generic name. ASA, a commonly used designation for aspirin (or acetylsalicylic acid) in both the U.S. and Canada, is the term used in Canadian product labeling.
**  Some of the buffered aspirin products may be identified on the label as Aspirin (ASA), Alumina, and Magnesia or as Aspirin, Alumina, and Magnesium Oxide.

Category


Description

Salicylates are used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Most salicylates are also used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis (rheumatism), such as swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. However, they do not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take them.

Aspirin may also be used to lessen the chance of heart attack, stroke, or other problems that may occur when a blood vessel is blocked by blood clots. Aspirin helps prevent dangerous blood clots from forming. However, this effect of aspirin may increase the chance of serious bleeding in some people. Therefore, aspirin should be used for this purpose only when your doctor decides, after studying your medical condition and history, that the danger of blood clots is greater than the risk of bleeding. Do not take aspirin to prevent blood clots or a heart attack unless it has been ordered by your doctor.

Salicylates may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

The caffeine present in some of these products may provide additional relief of headache pain or faster pain relief.

Some salicylates are available only with your medical doctor's or dentist's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your medical doctor or dentist may have special instructions on the proper dose of these medicines for your medical condition.

These medicines are available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For salicylates, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin or other salicylates, including methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), or to any of the following medicines:

Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet—Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium diet. Regular use of large amounts of sodium salicylate (as for arthritis) can add a large amount of sodium to your diet. Sodium salicylate contains 46 mg of sodium in each 325-mg tablet and 92 mg of sodium in each 650-mg tablet.

Pregnancy—Salicylates have not been shown to cause birth defects in humans. Studies on birth defects in humans have been done with aspirin but not with other salicylates. However, salicylates caused birth defects in animal studies.

Some reports have suggested that too much use of aspirin late in pregnancy may cause a decrease in the newborn's weight and possible death of the fetus or newborn infant. However, the mothers in these reports had been taking much larger amounts of aspirin than are usually recommended. Studies of mothers taking aspirin in the doses that are usually recommended did not show these unwanted effects. However, there is a chance that regular use of salicylates late in pregnancy may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow in the fetus or in the newborn infant.

Use of salicylates, especially aspirin, during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the fetus before or during delivery or in the newborn infant. Also, too much use of salicylates during the last 3 months of pregnancy may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor, cause other problems during delivery, or cause severe bleeding in the mother before, during, or after delivery. Do not take aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless it has been ordered by your doctor.

Studies in humans have not shown that caffeine (present in some aspirin products) causes birth defects. However, studies in animals have shown that caffeine causes birth defects when given in very large doses (amounts equal to those present in 12 to 24 cups of coffee a day).

Breast-feeding—Salicylates pass into the breast milk. Although salicylates have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies, it is possible that problems may occur if large amounts are taken regularly, as for arthritis (rheumatism).

Caffeine passes into the breast milk in small amounts.

Children—Do not give aspirin or other salicylates to a child or a teenager with a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing its use with your child's doctor. This is very important because salicylates may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers with fever caused by a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox.

Some children may need to take aspirin or another salicylate regularly (as for arthritis). However, your child's doctor may want to stop the medicine for a while if a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection occur. Discuss this with your child's doctor, so that you will know ahead of time what to do if your child gets sick.

Children who do not have a virus infection may also be more sensitive to the effects of salicylates, especially if they have a fever or have lost large amounts of body fluid because of vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Older adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of salicylates. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking a salicylate, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of salicylates. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine after meals or with food (except for enteric-coated capsules or tablets and aspirin suppositories) to lessen stomach irritation.

Take tablet or capsule forms of this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Also, do not lie down for about 15 to 30 minutes after swallowing the medicine. This helps to prevent irritation that may lead to trouble in swallowing.

For patients taking aspirin (including buffered aspirin and/or products containing caffeine):

To use aspirin suppositories:

To take choline and magnesium salicylates (e.g., Trilisate) oral solution:

To take enteric-coated sodium salicylate tablets:

Unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist:

When used for arthritis (rheumatism), this medicine must be taken regularly as ordered by your doctor in order for it to help you. Up to 2 to 3 weeks or longer may pass before you feel the full effects of this medicine.

Dosing—

The dose of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on whether you are taking a long-acting or a short-acting form of the medicine and the medical problem for which you are taking the salicylate.

Missed dose—

If your medical doctor or dentist has ordered you to take this medicine according to a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

Check the labels of all nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) and prescription medicines you now take. If any contain aspirin or other salicylates (including bismuth subsalicylate [e.g., Pepto-Bismol] or any shampoo or skin medicine that contains salicylic acid or any other salicylate), check with your health care professional. Taking or using them together with this medicine may cause an overdose.

If you will be taking salicylates for a long time (more than 5 days in a row for children or 10 days in a row for adults) or in large amounts, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.

Check with your medical doctor or dentist:

For patients taking aspirin to lessen the chance of heart attack, stroke, or other problems caused by blood clots:

Taking certain other medicines together with a salicylate may increase the chance of unwanted effects. The risk will depend on how much of each medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the medicines together. If your doctor directs you to take these medicines together on a regular basis, follow his or her directions carefully. However, do not take any of the following medicines together with a salicylate for more than a few days, unless your doctor has directed you to do so and is following your progress:

For diabetic patients:

Do not take aspirin for 5 days before any surgery, including dental surgery, unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist. Taking aspirin during this time may cause bleeding problems.

For patients taking buffered aspirin, choline and magnesium salicylates (e.g., Trilisate), or magnesium salicylate (e.g., Doan's) :

If you are taking a laxative containing cellulose, take the salicylate at least 2 hours before or after you take the laxative. Taking these medicines too close together may lessen the effects of the salicylate.

For patients taking this medicine by mouth:

For patients using aspirin suppositories:

Salicylates may interfere with the results of some medical tests. Before you have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge if you have taken any of these medicines within the past week. If possible, it is best to check with the doctor first, to find out whether the medicine may be taken during the week before the test.

For patients taking one of the products that contain caffeine:

If you think that you or anyone else may have taken an overdose, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of these medicines may cause unconsciousness or death. Signs of overdose include convulsions (seizures), hearing loss, confusion, ringing or buzzing in the ears, severe drowsiness or tiredness, severe excitement or nervousness, and fast or deep breathing.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. When this medicine is used for short periods of time at low doses, side effects usually are rare. Although not all of the following side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:


Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Revised: 07/25/1995

Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer

Copyright© 2003 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.