Lack of platelet effect with the aspirin analog, salsalate

Platelet function as determined by platelet aggregation and the release reaction was found to be normal in 8 patients receiving a nonacetylated analog of aspirin, salsalate, while all 5 aspirin controls had abnormal platelet function. Mean bleeding time in patients taking salsalate was less than that in aspirin controls. This study demonstrates that salsalate, which has anti-inflammatory activity and reduces prostaglandin synthesis, does not interfere with normal platelet function.