Drug interactions
Diflunisal + Salsalate
Severity: Moderate
Diflunisal and Salsalate: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs are salicylates, so combining them duplicates therapy and increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, renal impairment and salicylate toxicity such as tinnitus. There is no added analgesic advantage.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diflunisal and Salsalate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive cyclooxygenase inhibition and overlapping salicylate toxicity.
What to do
Avoid using both together and select a single agent. If this cannot be avoided, monitor renal function and for signs of GI bleeding or salicylism.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Diflunisal
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Diflunisal Major
- Acetazolamide + Diflunisal Major
- Alteplase + Diflunisal Major
- Amiloride + Diflunisal Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diflunisal with Salsalate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diflunisal and Salsalate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs are salicylates, so combining them duplicates therapy and increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, renal impairment and salicylate toxicity such as tinnitus. There is no added analgesic advantage.
How serious is the interaction between Diflunisal and Salsalate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using both together and select a single agent. If this cannot be avoided, monitor renal function and for signs of GI bleeding or salicylism.
What other medicines interact with Diflunisal?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diflunisal with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Diflunisal page.
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