Magnesium salicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). This medicine works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.

Magnesium salicylate is used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis.

Magnesium salicylate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin or to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), or if you have recently used cidofovir (Vistide) or ketorolac (Toradol).

Before taking magnesium salicylate, tell your doctor if you have asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach or intestinal bleeding, diabetes, anemia, a bleeding disorder, liver or kidney disease, nasal polyps, a genetic enzyme deficiency, or if you are dehydrated.

This medicine may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use magnesium salicylate just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking magnesium salicylate, especially in older adults.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This medication should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Salicylates can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.

Do not use magnesium salicylate just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin or to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), or if you have recently used:

• cidofovir (Vistide); or

• ketorolac (Toradol).

Magnesium salicylate may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term.

Magnesium salicylate may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking this medicine, especially in older adults.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:

• kidney disease;

• asthma;

• heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure;

• a history of stroke or heart attack;

• a stomach ulcer or intestinal bleeding;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• diabetes;

• swelling or fluid retention;

• anemia (a lack of red blood cells);

• liver disease;

• an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD);

• nasal polyps; or

• if you are dehydrated.

FDA pregnancy category C. Magnesium salicylate may be harmful to an unborn baby if the mother takes the medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Magnesium salicylate can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medication should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Salicylates can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from magnesium salicylate.