Salicylates as a Treatment for Arthritis

Salicylates are a group of chemicals made from salicylic acid, and they're found in aspirin and some other painkillers, as well as naturally occurring in certain foods, food preservatives, toothpaste, and other synthetic products. Some people take salicylate drugs for arthritis pain and it is quite common in acne medication.

Senior woman taking salicylates.
iloveimages/Juice Images/Getty Images

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the gold standard for arthritis. The three categories of NSAIDs include:

  • Salicylates
  • Traditional NSAIDs
  • COX-2 inhibitors

Salicylates are further divided into two groups—acetylated and nonacetylated. (Aspirin, chemically known as acetylsalicylic acid, is in the first category.) Which NSAID works for you depends on several factors.

Salicylates have been largely replaced by the other NSAIDs for treating arthritis pain, but may still be the best choice for some patients, depending on their specific health issues and overall health profile.

Types of NSAIDs

NSAIDs work by blocking your body's production of prostaglandin, a substance that causes inflammation. Aspirin is the only acetylated salicylate used to treat arthritis pain. Examples of nonacetylated salicylates used in the treatment of arthritis include:

  • Disalcid (salsalate)—prescription
  • Dolobid (sodium salicylate)—prescription
  • Trilisate (choline magnesium trisalicylate)—prescription
  • Doans Pills (magnesium salicylate)—over-the-counter

Salicylates are also naturally present in several foods, including fruits, vegetables, honey, and nuts; as well as in food preservatives, mouthwashes, and toothpaste.

The traditional NSAIDs, available in OTC and prescription strengths, include:

  • Ibuprofen
  • Naproxen sodium

The COX-2 inhibitors include Celebrex (celecoxib).

Aspirin vs. Other NSAIDs

Both aspirin and nonacetylated salicylates are used to treat arthritis pain. They differ, however, in how they can affect the cardiovascular (heart) and gastrointestinal (digestive) systems. Aspirin temporarily relieves arthritis pain, for example, but it's also known to have cardioprotective effects, making it unique among the salicylates and a good option for patients at risk for heart disease. Aspirin prevents blood from clotting in the vessels leading to the heart and brain, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Nonacetylated salicylates, along with the other NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, can potentially increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

On the flip side, aspirin's anti-clotting effects can make you more prone to ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding; they must also be stopped if you have surgery, to limit excessive bleeding.

Unlike aspirin, which inhibits platelet aggregation (clotting) and consequently increases the risk of bleeding, nonacetylated compounds have much less of an effect on platelets. As a result, they are less likely to cause bleeding or bleeding ulcers at doses necessary to decrease the inflammation and pain of arthritis.

Contraindications

While appropriate for many, the use of salicylates is not advised for people with:

  • Asthma
  • Liver impairment
  • Vitamin K deficiency
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Gout
  • A known allergy to salicylates

In addition, people taking an anticoagulant, such as Coumadin (warfarin), should not take certain salicylates, and children under 16 with a viral infection should not take aspirin due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. Finally, elderly people, in general, are more likely to have a toxic response to salicylates than other populations.

Side Effects

As with all medications, salicylates can cause side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:

  • Severe stomach pain
  • Vomiting with blood
  • Bloody or black, tarry stools
  • Bloody or cloudy urine
  • Unexplained bruising or bleeding
  • Wheezing or breathing troubles
  • Swelling in the face or around the eyes
  • Severe rash or red, itchy skin
  • Ringing in the ears or hearing loss

Sensitivity and Toxicity

Consuming excessive amounts of salicylates can result in a toxic reaction in anyone, but some people have a sensitivity to the compound that can cause side effects when even a small amount is consumed. Symptoms of salicylate sensitivity include:

  • Asthma-like symptoms, such as trouble breathing and wheezing
  • Headaches
  • Nasal congestion
  • Changes in skin color
  • Itching, skin rash, or hives
  • Swelling of the hands, feet, and face
  • Stomach pain

If consumed in large doses—greater than what is prescribed for a therapeutic effect—salicylates can be toxic. However, the dose required to produce a toxic reaction varies from person to person.

Symptoms of a toxic reaction include:

  • Agitation, fever, convulsions, confusion, coma
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Rapid breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bleeding
  • Hallucinations
  • Drowsiness

A Word From Verywell

While traditional NSAIDs and the COX-2 inhibitors are considered to be more effective than salicylates at treating the pain and inflammation of arthritis, acetylated salicylates remain an option. Talk to your healthcare provider about which medication is best for you, based on your medical history and risk factors.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. MedlinePlus. Salicylates level.

  2. Ricciotti E, FitzGerald GA. Prostaglandins and inflammationArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011;31(5):986-1000. doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.207449

  3. UW Medicine. Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Aspirin and related drugs.

  4. R van Rensburg, H Reuter. An overview of analgesics: NSAIDs, paracetamol, and topical analgesics. Part 1. South African Family Practice. 2019;61:sup1 S4-S10. doi:10.1080/20786190.2019.1610228

Additional Reading

By Carol Eustice
Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.