Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 2, 2023.

Pronunciation

(KOE leen mag NEE zhum trye sa LIS i late)

Index Terms

• Tricosal
• Trilisate

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Liquid, Oral:

Generic: 500 mg/5 mL (240 mL)

Pharmacologic Category

• Salicylate

Pharmacology

Weakly inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes, which results in decreased formation of prostaglandin precursors; antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Other proposed mechanisms not fully elucidated (and possibly contributing to the anti-inflammatory effect to varying degrees) include inhibiting chemotaxis, altering lymphocyte activity, inhibiting neutrophil aggregation/activation, and decreasing proinflammatory cytokine levels.

Absorption

Liquid: Rapid from stomach and small intestine

Distribution

Readily distributes into most body fluids and tissues

Metabolism

Conjugated to glycine and glucuronide metabolites; the glycine conjugation pathway is rapidly saturated at higher doses.

Excretion

Urine (major route; primarily as metabolites; 10% excreted as unchanged drug); bile (minor route)

Time to Peak

Serum: Liquid: 1 to 2 hours

Half-Life Elimination

Dose dependent: Tablet: 9 to 17 hours

Protein Binding

90% to 95%

Use: Labeled Indications

Acute painful shoulder: Management of acute painful shoulder

Analgesia: Relief of mild to moderate pain

Antipyresis: Management of pyrexia

Arthritis: Relief of signs/symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other arthritis (long-term management and acute flares)

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Anti-inflammatory or analgesic management (in children) of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other appropriate conditions

Related/similar drugs

acetaminophen, prednisone, ibuprofen, aspirin, meloxicam, cyclobenzaprine, tramadol

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to choline magnesium trisalicylate, other nonacetylated salicylates, or any component of the formulation

Dosing: Adult

Note: Dosing is based on salicylate content. Individualize dose based on response; may require 2 to 3 weeks to achieve optimal effect.

Acute painful shoulder, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other severe arthritis: Oral: Initial: 1.5 g twice daily or 3 g once daily at bedtime

Analgesia (mild to moderate pain) or pyrexia: Oral: 2 to 3 g daily in 2 or 3 divided doses; adjust dose to obtain optimal therapeutic response.

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Dosing: Geriatric

Usual dose: 750 mg 3 times daily; adjust dose to obtain optimum therapeutic response.

Dosing: Pediatric

Note: Dosing is based on total salicylate content. Individualize dose based on response; may require 2 to 3 weeks to achieve optimal effect.

Inflammatory conditions (eg, juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and analgesia (mild to moderate pain): Children and Adolescents:

Manufacturer's labeling:

Weight-directed dosing: Patient weight ≤37 kg: Oral: 25 mg/kg/dose twice daily

Fixed-dosing (weight-band):

12 to 13 kg: 250 mg twice daily

14 to 17 kg: 375 mg twice daily

18 to 22 kg: 500 mg twice daily

23 to 27 kg: 625 mg twice daily

28 to 32 kg: 750 mg twice daily

33 to 37 kg: 875 mg twice daily

>37 kg: Oral: 1,125 mg twice daily

Alternate dosing: Limited data available (Kliegman 2016): Oral: 10 to 20 mg/kg/dose every 8 to 12 hours

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Administration

Oral: Administer with food or large volume of water or milk to minimize GI upset. Liquid may be mixed with fruit juice just before drinking.

Storage

Store between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).

Drug Interactions

Agents with Antiplatelet Properties (e.g., P2Y12 inhibitors, NSAIDs, SSRIs, etc.): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Salicylates. Increased risk of bleeding may result. Monitor therapy

Agents with Blood Glucose Lowering Effects: Salicylates may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with Blood Glucose Lowering Effects. Monitor therapy

Ajmaline: Salicylates may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Ajmaline. Specifically, the risk for cholestasis may be increased. Monitor therapy

Ammonium Chloride: May increase the serum concentration of Salicylates. Monitor therapy

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Salicylates may enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. Salicylates may diminish the therapeutic effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. Monitor therapy

Anticoagulants: Salicylates may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Anticoagulants. Monitor therapy

Benzbromarone: Salicylates may diminish the therapeutic effect of Benzbromarone. Monitor therapy

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Salicylates may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors. Salicylate toxicity might be enhanced by this same combination. Management: Avoid these combinations when possible.Dichlorphenamide use with high-dose aspirin as contraindicated. If another combination is used, monitor patients closely for adverse effects. Tachypnea, anorexia, lethargy, and coma have been reported. Consider therapy modification

Corticosteroids (Systemic): Salicylates may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Corticosteroids (Systemic). These specifically include gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. Corticosteroids (Systemic) may decrease the serum concentration of Salicylates. Withdrawal of corticosteroids may result in salicylate toxicity. Monitor therapy

Ginkgo Biloba: May enhance the anticoagulant effect of Salicylates. Management: Consider alternatives to this combination of agents. Monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding (especially intracranial bleeding) if salicylates are used in combination with ginkgo biloba. Consider therapy modification

Herbs (Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Properties) (eg, Alfalfa, Anise, Bilberry): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Salicylates. Bleeding may occur. Management: Avoid coadministration of herbs possessing anticoagulant/antiplatelet properties and salicylates. If coadministered, monitor for bleeding. Discontinue anticoagulant/antiplatelet herbs 2 weeks prior to surgical, dental or invasive procedures. Consider therapy modification

Hyaluronidase: Salicylates may diminish the therapeutic effect of Hyaluronidase. Monitor therapy

Influenza Virus Vaccine (Live/Attenuated): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Salicylates. Specifically, Reye's syndrome may develop. Avoid combination

Loop Diuretics: Salicylates may diminish the diuretic effect of Loop Diuretics. Loop Diuretics may increase the serum concentration of Salicylates. Monitor therapy

Methotrexate: Salicylates may increase the serum concentration of Methotrexate. Salicylate doses used for prophylaxis of cardiovascular events are not likely to be of concern. Management: Consider avoiding coadministration of methotrexate and salicylates. If coadministration cannot be avoided, monitor for increased toxic effects of methotrexate. Salicylate doses used for prophylaxis of cardiovascular events are not likely to be of concern. Consider therapy modification

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents (Topical): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Salicylates. Specifically, the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity is increased. Management: Coadministration of salicylates and topical NSAIDs is not recommended. If salicylates and topical NSAIDs are coadministered, ensure the benefits outweigh the risks and monitor for increased NSAID toxicities. Consider therapy modification

Potassium Phosphate: May increase the serum concentration of Salicylates. Monitor therapy

PRALAtrexate: Salicylates may increase the serum concentration of PRALAtrexate. Salicylate doses used for prophylaxis of cardiovascular events are unlikely to be of concern. Management: Consider avoiding concomitant use of salicylates and pralatrexate. If coadministered, monitor for increased pralatrexate adverse effects. Salicylate doses used for prophylaxis of cardiovascular events are not likely to be of concern. Consider therapy modification

Probenecid: Salicylates may diminish the therapeutic effect of Probenecid. Monitor therapy

Salicylates: May enhance the anticoagulant effect of other Salicylates. Monitor therapy

Sulfinpyrazone: Salicylates may decrease the serum concentration of Sulfinpyrazone. Avoid combination

Thrombolytic Agents: Salicylates may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Thrombolytic Agents. An increased risk of bleeding may occur. Monitor therapy

Valproate Products: Salicylates may increase the serum concentration of Valproate Products. Monitor therapy

Varicella Virus-Containing Vaccines: Salicylates may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Varicella Virus-Containing Vaccines. Specifically, the risk for Reye's syndrome may increase. Avoid combination

Vitamin K Antagonists (eg, warfarin): Salicylates may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K Antagonists. Management: Avoid as needed use of salicylates in patients taking vitamin K antagonists. Aspirin (80 to 325 mg/day) may be used with warfarin for prevention of cardiovascular events. If coadministering salicylates and vitamin K antagonists, monitor for bledding. Consider therapy modification

Test Interactions

False-negative results for glucose oxidase urinary glucose tests (Clinistix®); false-positives using the cupric sulfate method (Clinitest®); also, interferes with Gerhardt test (urinary ketone analysis), VMA determination; 5-HIAA, xylose tolerance test, and T₃ and T₄; increased PBI

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.

Frequency not defined.

<20%:

Gastrointestinal: Constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, epigastric pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting

Otic: Tinnitus

<2%:

Central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, lethargy

Otic: Auditory impairment

<1%, postmarketing, and/or case reports: Anorexia, asthma, bruise, confusion, duodenal ulcer, dysgeusia, edema, epistaxis, erythema multiforme, esophagitis, gastric ulcer, hallucination, hearing loss (irreversible), increased blood urea nitrogen, increased liver enzymes, increased serum creatinine, occult blood in stools, pruritus, skin rash, weight gain

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects: Nausea, vomiting, gastric upset, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and/or epigastric pain may occur frequently.

• Tinnitus: Tinnitus is a common adverse effect; may indicate toxicity; reduce dose until tinnitus resolves.

Disease-related concerns:

• Asthma: Use with caution in patients with asthma. Non-acetylated salicylate products are associated with cross reactivity in aspirin-sensitive patients, although choline magnesium trisalicylate has been demonstrated to be well tolerated (with respect to respiratory symptoms) in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma.

• Gastrointestinal disease: Use with caution in patients with gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. Avoid coadministration with ethanol; may enhance GI adverse effects, including GI bleeding.

• Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with acute or chronic hepatic impairment.

• Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with acute or chronic renal impairment.

Special populations:

• Elderly: Use lowest effective dose for shortest period possible in the elderly; they are a high-risk population for adverse effects from salicylates/NSAIDs. Tinnitus may be a difficult and unreliable indication of toxicity due to age-related hearing loss or eighth cranial nerve damage.

• Pediatric: Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chickenpox, influenza, or flu-like symptoms should not use salicylate products, including choline magnesium trisalicylate. Changes in behavior (along with nausea and vomiting) may be an early sign of Reye's syndrome; patients should be instructed to contact their healthcare provider if these occur.

Monitoring Parameters

Serum salicylate levels, renal function, hearing changes or tinnitus, abnormal bruising, and response (ie, pain)

Pregnancy Risk Factor C Pregnancy Considerations

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. Due to the known effects of other salicylates on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus), use during late pregnancy should be avoided.

Patient Education

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to ease pain and fever.

• It is used to treat arthritis.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Abdominal pain

• Heartburn

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Noise or ringing in the ears

• Hearing loss

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine 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 limited summary of general information about the medicine’s uses from the patient education leaflet and is not intended to be comprehensive. This limited summary does NOT include all information available about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. For a more detailed summary of information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine, please speak with your healthcare provider and review the entire patient education leaflet.

Further information

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