How Salicylates work on Arthritis:
Salicylates are naturally occuring compounds that can be found on the bark and leaves of the Willow plant. It has a long history of medicinal usage dating back to the Roman times where it is used for easing the symptoms of fever and headache. Pharmaceautical companies have concentrated the salicylates from the willow bark and offers it in two forms. The first form is non-acetylated and the second one is acetylated or chemically combined with acetic acid. Aspirin is an example of the acetylated version of salicylic acid while Magnesium Salicylate and Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate are the non-acetylated versions. Salicylates work by reducing the production of prostaglandins inside your body. Prostaglandins are substances inside the body which are responsible for pain and inflammation.
Forms, Dosage and Brandnames:
Salicylates occur in tablet or capsule form and should be taken with food to avoid stomach irritation. Drugs in this class include aspirin (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin) and salsalate (Mono-Gesic, Salgesic).
Adults: 350 to 500mg once a day.
Pregnant Women: Avoid salicylates if you are pregnant.
Children: Consult your doctor for proper dosing.
References about Salicylates and Arthritis:
Boardman PL, Hart FD. Clinical measurement of the anti-inflammatory effects of salicylates in rheumatoid arthritis. Br Med J. 1967 Nov 4;4(5574):264–268.
Bochner F, Graham GG, Cham BE, Imhoff DM, Haavisto TM. Salicylate metabolite kinetics after several salicylates. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1981 Aug;30(2):266–275.
Borgå O, Cederlöf IO, Ringberger VA, Norlin A. Protein binding of salicylate in uremic and normal plasma. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1976 Oct;20(4):464–475.
Cham BE, Ross-Lee L, Bochner F, Imhoff DM. Measurement and pharmacokinetics of acetylsalicylic acid by a novel high performance liquid chromatographic assay. Ther Drug Monit. 1980;2(4):365–372.
Day RO, Shen DD, Azarnoff DL. Induction of salicyluric acid formation in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with salicylates. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1983 8(3):263–271.May–Jun;
Mason L, Moore RA, Edwards JE, et al. Systematic review of efficacy of topical rubefacients containing salicylates for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. BMJ 2004 Apr 24; 328(7446):995
Mason L, Moore RA, Derry S, Edwards JE, McQuay HJ. Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain. BMJ 2004 Apr 24; 328(7446):991
Tramer MR. It’s not just about rubbing–topical capsaicin and topical salicylates may be useful as adjuvants to conventional pain treatment. BMJ 2004 Apr 24; 328(7446):998
Page last updated: May 02, 2009
