Monograph: |
Sodium Salicylate
Colourless small crystals, shiny flakes, or white or faintly
pink amorphous or microcrystalline powder, odourless or
with a faint characteristic odour.
Sodium salicylate I g is approximately equivalent to 1.1 g of
aspirin.
Freely soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol: freely
soluble in glycerol; very soluble in boiling water and in boil-
ing alcohol: practically insoluble in ether. Concentrated aque-
ous solutions are liable to deposit crystals of the hexahydrate
on standing. A freshly prepared 10% solution in water is neu-
tral or acid to litmus. Store in airtight containers. Protect
from
light.
Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions
As for Aspirin.
When sodium salicylate is used in the treatment of rheumatic
fever its high sodium content may cause problems in patients
with cardiac complications.
The use of aspirin and other acetylated salicylates is generally
not recommended for children under the age of 12 years be-
cause of the risk of Reye's syndrome, unless specifically indi-
cated. Some authorities also extend this precaution to non-
acetylated salicylates such as sodium salicylate.
Effects on the eyes. Retinal haemorrhages were reported in
a 60-year-old woman taking sodium salicylate 6 g daily by
mouth for 2 months and in a 10-year-old girl taking sodium
salicylate, 4 g daily by mouth, for 40 days. In both cases the
haemorrhages were gradually resolved after the treatment
was stopped.
Interactions
For interactions associated with salicylates, see Aspirin.
Uses and Administration
Sodium salicylate is a salicylic acid derivative that has
analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic actions similar
to those of aspirin . It is used in the treatment of pain.
fever, and in rheumatic disorders such as osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis. The usual oral dose of sodium salicylate
for pain or fever is 325 to 650 mg every four hours as re-
quired, The oral dose for rheumatic disorders is 3.6 to 5.4 g
daily in divided doses. Sodium salicylate has also been used
in the symptomatic treatment of rheumatic fever but its high
sodium content may cause problems in patients with cardiac
complications.
Sodium salicylate has also been given by intravenous infu-
sion.
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