Magnesium Salicylate

INTRODUCTION

Indications

Inflammatory disorders, including Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis. Mild-to-moderate pain. Fever.

Action

Produce analgesia and reduce inflammation and fever by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. Therapeutic Effects: Analgesia. Reduction of inflammation. Reduction of fever.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

EENT: tinnitus. GI: GI BLEEDING, dyspepsia, epigastric distress, nausea, abdominal pain, anorexia, hepatotoxicity, vomiting. Misc: ALLERGIC REACTIONS, INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS AND LARYNGEAL EDEMA.

PHYSICAL THERAPY IMPLICATIONS

Examination and Evaluation

• Monitor signs of GI bleeding, including abdominal pain, vomiting blood, blood in stools, or black, tarry stools. Report these signs to the physician immediately.

• Monitor signs of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, including pulmonary symptoms (laryngeal edema, wheezing, cough, dyspnea) or skin reactions (rash, pruritus, urticaria). Notify physician immediately if these reactions occur. Allergic reactions are more common in people with asthma, nasal polyps, or aspirin-induced allergies.

• Be alert for signs of liver toxicity, including abdominal pain, severe nausea and vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, loss of appetite, skin rashes, flu-like symptoms, and muscle/joint pain. Report these signs to the physician immediately.

• Assess pain and other variables (range of motion, muscle strength) to document whether this drug is successful in helping manage the patient's pain and decrease impairments.

Interventions

• Implement appropriate manual therapy techniques, physical agents, and therapeutic exercises to reduce pain and decrease the need for salicylates and other NSAIDs.

• Help patient explore other nonpharmacologic methods to reduce chronic pain, such as relaxation techniques, exercise, counseling, and so forth.

Patient/Client-Related Instruction

• Advise patient that analgesics are usually more effective if given before pain becomes severe; emphasize that adequate pain control will allow better participation in physical therapy.

• Caution patient about the use of over-the-counter products that contain aspirin, other NSAIDs, or acetaminophen while taking high doses of salicylates. Use of multiple NSAIDs increases the risk of toxicity and overdose.

• Advise patient about the risks of gastric irritation. Instruct patient to notify physician of GI effects such as severe or prolonged nausea, heartburn, indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

• Advise patient to reduce alcohol intake because alcohol increases the risk of gastric toxicity.

• Inform patient that salicylates and other NSAIDs may impair bone and cartilage healing. Advise patient to consult physician about salicylate use, especially after fractures, spinal fusion, and other bone surgeries.

• Instruct patient to report excessive or prolonged headache or ringing/buzzing in the ears (tinnitus); these signs may indicate salicylate toxicity.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Rapidly and ...