Drug
Salsalate
Common brand names:
Amigesic, Disalcid, Salflex, SalsitabSalsalate is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and is in a class of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Negative Interactions
1- Potential Negative Interaction
Salsalate
White Willow
Willow bark contains salicin, which is related to aspirin. Salsalate, salicin, and aspirin produce anti-inflammatory effects after they have been converted to salicylic acid in the body. Taking aspirin at the same time as other salicylate drugs can result in adverse effects, such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, headache, confusion, and diarrhea. Though there are no studies specifically investigating an interaction between willow bark and salsalate, people taking salsalate should probably avoid using the herb until more information is available.
White WillowSalsalate- Sifton DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 1661-2.
Supportive Interactions
3- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Salsalate
Folic Acid
Salsalate and aspirin produce anti-inflammatory effects after they are converted in the body to salicylic acid. Studies have shown that aspirin can reduce the amount of folic acid in the blood, though it is not known whether this change is significant. Controlled studies are needed to determine whether people taking salsalate are at risk for folic acid deficiency.
Folic AcidSalsalate- Alter HJ, Zvaifler MJ, Rath CE. Interrelationship of rheumatoid arthritis, folic acid and aspirin. Blood 1971;38:405-16.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Salsalate
Potassium
Salsalate and aspirin are rapidly converted in the body to salicylic acid. Taking large amounts of aspirin can result in lower than normal blood levels of potassium, though it is not known whether this change is significant. Controlled studies are needed to determine whether people taking salsalate are at risk for potassium deficiency.
PotassiumSalsalate- Smith MJH, Smith PK, eds. The Salicylates: A Critical Bibliographic Review. New York: Interscience, 1966.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Salsalate
Vitamin C
Salsalate and aspirin are rapidly converted in the body to salicylic acid. Controlled studies show that taking aspirin increases the elimination of vitamin C from the body and lowers blood levels. Further controlled research is needed to determine whether salsalate specifically reduces vitamin C levels and whether people taking the drug are at risk for vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin CSalsalate- Loh HS, Watters K, Wilson CWM. The effects of aspirin on the metabolic availability of ascorbic acid in human beings. J Clin Pharmacol 1974;13:480.