Drug interactions
Meloxicam + Salsalate
Severity: Moderate
Meloxicam 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
Salsalate is a salicylate that is metabolized to salicylic acid, so it adds NSAID-like toxicity to meloxicam. This raises the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding and of renal impairment without an added analgesic benefit.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meloxicam 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 prostaglandin synthesis inhibition affecting gastric mucosa, platelet function and renal blood flow.
What to do
Avoid using the two together and select a single NSAID. If unavoidable, monitor renal function and for signs of GI bleeding, with gastroprotection.
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 Meloxicam
- Ketorolac intranasal + Meloxicam Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Meloxicam Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Meloxicam Major
- Acemetacin + Meloxicam Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Meloxicam Major
- Alteplase + Meloxicam Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meloxicam with Salsalate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meloxicam 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. Salsalate is a salicylate that is metabolized to salicylic acid, so it adds NSAID-like toxicity to meloxicam. This raises the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding and of renal impairment without an added analgesic benefit.
How serious is the interaction between Meloxicam 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 the two together and select a single NSAID. If unavoidable, monitor renal function and for signs of GI bleeding, with gastroprotection.
What other medicines interact with Meloxicam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Meloxicam with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Meloxicam page.
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