Abstract
Diflunisal, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, is not metabolized to the free salicylate moiety, but yields serum salicylate levels. We describe 2 patients who unexpectedly had toxic range serum salicylate levels while taking diflunisal and aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis. Diflunisal is measured by standard salicylate assays, a fact not widely appreciated. Serum salicylate levels by these assays cannot be used to determine salicylate toxicity when a patient is taking both aspirin and diflunisal. High pressure liquid chromatography can be used to distinguish true salicylate toxicity from interference with diflunisal.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 522-523 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Journal of Rheumatology |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1991 |
Keywords
- Diflunisal
- Misleading salicylate levels
- Salicylate assays
- Salicylate toxicity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rheumatology
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology