Magnesium Salicylate

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and fever. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile forms of arthritis, gout, dysmenorrhea, muscular pains, and dental pain are some areas where this medicine might be used.

How does it work?

• Magnesium salicylate reduces inflammation and pain by blocking production and release of chemicals that produce it. It controls fever by regulating the body's thermostat in the brain.
• This medicine does not cure or change the disease being treated.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. There should be an interval of at least 6-8 hours between doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, you may be more sensitive to this medicine.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases in stomach irritation.
• If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased shortness of breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists, surgeons and other healthcare providers about this medicine.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, and vitamin E while taking. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine, especially aspirin, or have asthma. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, diarrhea, or gas.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Stomach bleeding or ulceration. Watch stools for dark, tarry black color. Talk with healthcare provider.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider if you have been taking this medicine longer than 3 days for fever or longer than 10 days for pain.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood or coughing up blood.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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