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Drug interactions

Prednisone + Salsalate

Severity: Moderate

Prednisone 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 NSAID, and with prednisone the risk of peptic ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding is increased. Corticosteroids may also lower salicylate levels by enhancing its clearance.

What this interaction means in plain words

Prednisone 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive gastrointestinal mucosal injury, plus corticosteroid-enhanced renal salicylate clearance.

What to do

Consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients with additional GI risk factors, and keep doses and duration minimal. Report melena, hematemesis or persistent dyspepsia promptly.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Prednisone with Salsalate?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Prednisone 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 NSAID, and with prednisone the risk of peptic ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding is increased. Corticosteroids may also lower salicylate levels by enhancing its clearance.

How serious is the interaction between Prednisone 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: Consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients with additional GI risk factors, and keep doses and duration minimal. Report melena, hematemesis or persistent dyspepsia promptly.

What other medicines interact with Prednisone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.

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