Tricosal

Choline magnesium trisalicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that contains a combination of choline salicylate and magnesium salicylate.

Choline magnesium trisalicylate is used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis. This medication is also used to treat fever in adults.

Choline magnesium trisalicylate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

In the U.S.

• Amigesic
• Azulfidine
• Azulfidine Entabs
• Bayer
• Canasa
• Colazal
• Dipentum
• Doan's Extra Strength
• Doan's Regular
• Dolobid
• Ecotrin
• Giazo
• Kaopectate
• Pentasa
• Pepto Bismol
• Salflex
• Tricosal
• Trilisate

In Canada

• Arthropan
• Asacol 800
• Bismuth Extra Strength
• Bismuth Original Formula
• Compliments Bismuth - Regular Strength
• GoodSense Bismuth - Regular Strength
• Mesasal
• Pepto-Bismol
• Pms-Asa Suppository Adult
• Pms-Asa Suppository Children
• Salazopyrin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Enteric Coated
• Tablet, Extended Release
• Suppository
• Tablet
• Capsule
• Tablet, Chewable
• Capsule, Extended Release, 24 HR
• Tablet, Effervescent
• Capsule, Delayed Release
• Gum
• Enema
• Liquid
• Solution
• Tablet, Delayed Release
• Capsule, Extended Release
• Suspension

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Do not give aspirin or other salicylates to a child or a teenager with a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing its use with your child's doctor. This is very important because salicylates may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers with fever caused by a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox.

Some children may need to take aspirin or another salicylate regularly (as for arthritis). However, your child's doctor may want to stop the medicine for a while if a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection occur. Discuss this with your child's doctor, so that you will know ahead of time what to do if your child gets sick.

Children who do not have a virus infection may also be more sensitive to the effects of salicylates, especially if they have a fever or have lost large amounts of body fluid because of vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Geriatric

Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of salicylates. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Pregnancy

Salicylates have not been shown to cause birth defects in humans. Studies on birth defects in humans have been done with aspirin but not with other salicylates. However, salicylates caused birth defects in animal studies.

Some reports have suggested that too much use of aspirin late in pregnancy may cause a decrease in the newborn's weight and possible death of the fetus or newborn infant. However, the mothers in these reports had been taking much larger amounts of aspirin than are usually recommended. Studies of mothers taking aspirin in the doses that are usually recommended did not show these unwanted effects. However, there is a chance that regular use of salicylates late in pregnancy may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow in the fetus or in the newborn infant.

Use of salicylates, especially aspirin, during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the fetus before or during delivery or in the newborn infant. Also, too much use of salicylates during the last 3 months of pregnancy may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor, cause other problems during delivery, or cause severe bleeding in the mother before, during, or after delivery. Do not take aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless it has been ordered by your doctor.

Studies in humans have not shown that caffeine (present in some aspirin products) causes birth defects. However, studies in animals have shown that caffeine causes birth defects when given in very large doses (amounts equal to those present in 12 to 24 cups of coffee a day).

Breast Feeding

Salicylates pass into the breast milk. Although salicylates have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies, it is possible that problems may occur if large amounts are taken regularly, as for arthritis (rheumatism).

Caffeine passes into the breast milk in small amounts.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Defibrotide
• Dichlorphenamide
• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
• Ketorolac
• Methenamine

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abciximab
• Acarbose
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acenocoumarol
• Alipogene Tiparvovec
• Alteplase, Recombinant
• Amiloride
• Amineptine
• Amitriptyline
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Amoxapine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anagrelide
• Anisindione
• Apixaban
• Ardeparin
• Argatroban
• Aspirin
• Azathioprine
• Bemiparin
• Bendroflumethiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Betamethasone
• Betrixaban
• Bivalirudin
• Bromfenac
• Budesonide
• Bufexamac
• Bumetanide
• Cangrelor
• Celecoxib
• Certoparin
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorpropamide
• Chlorthalidone
• Choline Salicylate
• Cilostazol
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clonixin
• Clopamide
• Clopidogrel
• Cortisone
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Cyclosporine
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Deflazacort
• Desipramine
• Desirudin
• Desmopressin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexamethasone
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diazoxide
• Dibenzepin
• Diclofenac
• Dicumarol
• Diflunisal
• Digoxin
• Dipyridamole
• Dipyrone
• Dothiepin
• Doxepin
• Droxicam
• Duloxetine
• Edoxaban
• Enoxaparin
• Eplerenone
• Epoprostenol
• Eptifibatide
• Escitalopram
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Feverfew
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Fluocortolone
• Fluoxetine
• Flurbiprofen
• Fluvoxamine
• Fondaparinux
• Furosemide
• Ginkgo
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Glyburide
• Gossypol
• Heparin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydrocortisone
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Ibuprofen
• Iloprost
• Imipramine
• Indapamide
• Indomethacin
• Ketoprofen
• Lepirudin
• Levomilnacipran
• Lithium
• Lofepramine
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meadowsweet
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Melitracen
• Meloxicam
• Mercaptopurine
• Metformin
• Methotrexate
• Methyclothiazide
• Methylprednisolone
• Metolazone
• Milnacipran
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Nadroparin
• Naproxen
• Nateglinide
• Nefazodone
• Nepafenac
• Nicorandil
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Nortriptyline
• Opipramol
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Paramethasone
• Parecoxib
• Parnaparin
• Paroxetine
• Pemetrexed
• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piracetam
• Piroxicam
• Polythiazide
• Pralatrexate
• Pranoprofen
• Prasugrel
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Protein C
• Protriptyline
• Reboxetine
• Repaglinide
• Reteplase, Recombinant
• Reviparin
• Riluzole
• Rivaroxaban
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Sodium Salicylate
• Spironolactone
• Sulindac
• Tacrolimus
• Tenoxicam
• Tianeptine
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tinzaparin
• Tirofiban
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Torsemide
• Treprostinil
• Triamterene
• Trichlormethiazide
• Trimipramine
• Valdecoxib
• Varicella Virus Vaccine
• Venlafaxine
• Vilazodone
• Vorapaxar
• Vortioxetine
• Warfarin
• Xipamide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of medicines in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia or
• Overactive thyroid or
• Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems—Salicylates may make your condition worse.

• Asthma, allergies, and nasal polyps (history of) or
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or
• High blood pressure (hypertension) or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—The chance of side effects may be increased.

• Gout—Salicylates can make this condition worse and can also lessen the effects of some medicines used to treat gout.

• Heart disease—The chance of some side effects may be increased. Also, the caffeine present in some aspirin products can make some kinds of heart disease worse.

• Hemophilia or other bleeding problems—The chance of bleeding may be increased, especially with aspirin.

Check the labels of all nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) and prescription medicines you now take. If any contain aspirin or other salicylates (including bismuth subsalicylate [e.g., Pepto-Bismol] or any shampoo or skin medicine that contains salicylic acid or any other salicylate), check with your health care professional. Taking or using them together with this medicine may cause an overdose.

If you will be taking salicylates for a long time (more than 5 days in a row for children or 10 days in a row for adults) or in large amounts, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.

Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this medicine. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without any warning. However, possible warning signs often occur, including swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain; and/or skin rash. Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur such as chest pain, tightness in chest, fast or irregular heartbeat, or unusual flushing or warmth of skin. Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Check with your medical doctor or dentist:

• If you are taking this medicine to relieve pain and the pain lasts for more than 10 days (5 days for children) or if the pain gets worse, if new symptoms occur, or if redness or swelling is present. These could be signs of a serious condition that needs medical or dental treatment.
• If you are taking this medicine to bring down a fever, and the fever lasts for more than 3 days or returns, if the fever gets worse, if new symptoms occur, or if redness or swelling is present. These could be signs of a serious condition that needs treatment.
• If you are taking this medicine for a sore throat, and the sore throat is very painful, lasts for more than 2 days, or occurs together with or is followed by fever, headache, skin rash, nausea, or vomiting.
• If you are taking this medicine regularly, as for arthritis (rheumatism), and you notice a ringing or buzzing in your ears or severe or continuing headaches. These are often the first signs that too much salicylate is being taken. Your doctor may want to change the amount of medicine you are taking every day.

For patients taking aspirin to lessen the chance of heart attack, stroke, or other problems caused by blood clots:

• Take only the amount of aspirin ordered by your doctor. If you need a medicine to relieve pain, a fever, or arthritis, your doctor may not want you to take extra aspirin. It is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor, so that you will know ahead of time what medicine to take.
• Do not stop taking this medicine for any reason without first checking with the doctor who directed you to take it.

Taking certain other medicines together with a salicylate may increase the chance of unwanted effects. The risk will depend on how much of each medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the medicines together. If your doctor directs you to take these medicines together on a regular basis, follow his or her directions carefully. However, do not take any of the following medicines together with a salicylate for more than a few days, unless your doctor has directed you to do so and is following your progress:

• Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol)
• Diclofenac (e.g., Voltaren)
• Diflunisal (e.g., Dolobid)
• Etodolac (e.g., Lodine)
• Fenoprofen (e.g., Nalfon)
• Floctafenine (e.g., Idarac)
• Flurbiprofen, oral (e.g., Ansaid)
• Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin)
• Indomethacin (e.g., Indocin)
• Ketoprofen (e.g., Orudis)
• Ketorolac (e.g., Toradol)
• Meclofenamate (e.g., Meclomen)
• Mefenamic acid (e.g., Ponstel)
• Nabumetone (e.g., Relafen)
• Naproxen (e.g., Naprosyn)
• Oxaprozin (e.g., Daypro)
• Phenylbutazone (e.g., Butazolidin)
• Piroxicam (e.g., Feldene)
• Sulindac (e.g., Clinoril)
• Tenoxicam (e.g., Mobiflex)
• Tiaprofenic acid (e.g., Surgam)
• Tolmetin (e.g., Tolectin)

For diabetic patients:

• False urine sugar test results may occur if you are regularly taking large amounts of salicylates, such as:
  • Aspirin: 8 or more 325-mg (5-grain), or 4 or more 500-mg or 650-mg (10-grain), or 3 or more 800-mg (or higher strength), doses a day.
  • Buffered aspirin or
  • Sodium salicylate: 8 or more 325-mg (5-grain), or 4 or more 500-mg or 650-mg (10-grain), doses a day.
  • Choline salicylate: 4 or more teaspoonfuls (each teaspoonful containing 870 mg) a day.
  • Choline and magnesium salicylates: 5 or more 500-mg tablets or teaspoonfuls, 4 or more 750-mg tablets, or 2 or more 1000-mg tablets, a day.
  • Magnesium salicylate: 7 or more regular-strength, or 4 or more extra-strength, tablets a day.
  • Salsalate: 4 or more 500-mg doses, or 3 or more 750-mg doses, a day.
• Smaller doses or occasional use of salicylates usually will not affect urine sugar tests. However, check with your health care professional (especially if your diabetes is not well-controlled) if:
  • you are not sure how much salicylate you are taking every day.
  • you notice any change in your urine sugar test results.
  • you have any other questions about this possible problem.

Do not take aspirin for 5 days before any surgery, including dental surgery, unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist. Taking aspirin during this time may cause bleeding problems.

For patients taking buffered aspirin, choline and magnesium salicylates (e.g., Trilisate), or magnesium salicylate (e.g., Doan's):

• Buffered aspirin, choline and magnesium salicylates, or magnesium salicylate can keep many other medicines, especially some medicines used to treat infections, from working properly. This problem can be prevented by not taking the 2 medicines too close together. Ask your health care professional how long you should wait between taking a medicine for infection and taking buffered aspirin, choline and magnesium salicylates, or magnesium salicylate.

If you are taking a laxative containing cellulose, take the salicylate at least 2 hours before or after you take the laxative. Taking these medicines too close together may lessen the effects of the salicylate.

For patients taking this medicine by mouth:

• Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink alcoholic beverages while being treated with this medicine, especially if you are taking it in high doses or for a long time. Check with your doctor if you have any questions about this.

For patients using aspirin suppositories:

• Aspirin suppositories may cause irritation of the rectum. Check with your doctor if this occurs.

Salicylates may interfere with the results of some medical tests. Before you have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge if you have taken any of these medicines within the past week. If possible, it is best to check with the doctor first, to find out whether the medicine may be taken during the week before the test.

For patients taking one of the products that contain caffeine:

• Caffeine may interfere with the result of a test that uses adenosine (e.g., Adenocard) or dipyridamole (e.g., Persantine) to help find out how well your blood is flowing through certain blood vessels. Therefore, you should not have any caffeine for at least 8 to 12 hours before the test.

If you think that you or anyone else may have taken an overdose, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of these medicines may cause unconsciousness or death. Signs of overdose include convulsions (seizures), hearing loss, confusion, ringing or buzzing in the ears, severe drowsiness or tiredness, severe excitement or nervousness, and fast or deep breathing.

For all patients taking Tricosal (choline magnesium trisalicylate tablets):

• If you have an allergy to choline magnesium trisalicylate or any other part of this medicine.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have bleeding problems.
• If you are more than 24 weeks pregnant.

Children:

• If your child has or is getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Tricosal.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Tricosal. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• If you are taking warfarin, talk with your doctor. You may need to have your blood work checked more closely while you are taking it with this medicine.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Tricosal.
• Do not give to children and teenagers who have or are getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections due to the chance of Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome causes very bad problems to the brain and liver.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Tricosal while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Tricosal or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Tricosal. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017