Anti-inflammatory medications - salicylates

Salicylates include:

Aspirin (Anacin [OTC], Arthritis Foundation Pain Reliever [OTC], Ascriptin [OTC], Aspergum [OTC], Asprimox [OTC], Bayer Aspirin [OTC], Bayer Buffered Aspirin [OTC], Bayer Low Adult Strength [OTC], BC Headache [OTC], Bufferin [OTC], Buffex [OTC], Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever [OTC], Easprin, Ecotrin Low Adult Strength [OTC], Ecotrin [OTC], Empirin [OTC], Excedrin [OTC], Excedrin Migraine [OTC], Extra Strength Adprin-B [OTC}, Extra Strength Bayer Enteric 500 Aspirin [OTC], Extra Strength Bayer Plus [OTC], Goody's Headache Powders [OTC], Halfprin® 81 [OTC], Heartline [OTC], Regular Strength Bayer Enteric 500 Aspirin [OTC], St Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin [OTC], and ZORprin)
Magnesium salicylate
Salsalate
Diflunisal

Depletions

Potassium

Taking salicylates may deplete potassium.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency include:

Nausea and vomiting
Tiredness
Drowsiness
Feeling of apprehension
Weakness
Muscle pain and weakness (mostly in the legs)
Muscle cramps
Strong, rapid or irregular heartbeat

Editorial Note

The information presented here covers some of the nutrients that may be affected when you take certain medicines. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, it does not always mean you have low levels of these nutrients.

Factors that affect the level of nutrients are:

Your medical history
Diet
Lifestyle
How long you have been taking the medicine

Please talk to your health care provider. They can best address your health care needs and see if you are at risk for low levels of any nutrients.

Supporting Research

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Aspirin, 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-44. Accessed July 8, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Diflunisal, 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-188. Accessed July 14, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Magnesium salicylate, 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-1416. Accessed July 8, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Salsalate, 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-555. Accessed July 14, 2016.

Osborn MB. Potassium. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 165.

The Basics

Advanced Study

Review Date: 9/19/2016

Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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