Choline Salicylate oral solution

What is choline salicylate oral solution?

CHOLINE SALICYLATE (Arthropan®) relieves the mild to moderate pain caused by a variety of conditions including arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, headaches, menstrual cramps or pain, minor injuries, or others. Choline salicylate reduces fever, pain, and inflammation (swelling and redness). Generic choline salicylate oral solutions are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I take choline salicylate?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia

• bleeding or clotting problems

• drink more than 3 alcohol-containing beverages a day

• gout

• heart disease, including heart failure

• high blood pressure

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• smoke tobacco

• stomach ulcers, or other stomach problems

• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

• ulcerative colitis

• vitamin K deficiency

• an unusual or allergic reaction to salicylates, aspirin, other medicines, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take choline salicylate oral solution by mouth with a large glass of water. Choline salicylate may be mixed with fruit juice, a carbonated beverage or water just before taking the medicine. You may take the solution with food to help decrease stomach upset. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you are taking choline salicylate on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with choline salicylate?

• alcohol

• antacids (in large doses)

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)

• hormones such as prednisone or cortisone

• medicines used to treat or prevent blood clots

• medicines for diabetes that are taken by mouth

• medicines for gout

• methotrexate

• seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking choline salicylate?

Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you are treating yourself for a pain that does not go away after 10 days; for a fever that does not go away after 3 days; or a sore throat that does not go away after 2 days. Many non-prescription medicines contain aspirin as an ingredient. To prevent accidental overdose, read labels carefully and do not combine choline salicylate with aspirin or other medicines unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to do so.

If you are taking choline salicylate for arthritis, it can take up to 3 weeks to get the maximum effect. Do not stop taking without asking your prescriber or health care professional.

If you are taking oral medicines to decrease your blood sugar, large doses of choline salicylate may increase the levels of these drugs. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Choline salicylate can irritate your stomach. Limit smoking of cigarettes or drinking of alcohol; these increase irritation in your stomach and may cause ulcers or bleeding problems. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking choline salicylate to prevent irritation to your throat.

What side effects may I notice from taking choline salicylate?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• signs or symptoms of bleeding from the stomach or intestine such as black, tarry stools, stomach pain, vomiting up blood, or what looks like coffee grounds

• confusion

• difficulty breathing, wheezing

• ringing in the ears or changes in hearing

• skin rash, hives

• unusual bleeding or bruising, red or purple spots on the skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea or constipation

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach gas, heartburn

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Even small doses of choline salicylate can be dangerous to small children and pets.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.