Skip to main content

What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Aspirin and menthol/methyl salicylate

Menthol/methyl salicylate's FDA label of March 14, 2025 names aspirin in its warnings section; the aspirin label PlainMeds reads does not name menthol/methyl salicylate. The menthol/methyl salicylate label: “… thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug take other drugs containing an NSAID [aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others] have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product take more or for a longer time …”

Check it at the source: the aspirin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025); the menthol/methyl salicylate FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 14, 2025, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.).

What does the aspirin label say about menthol/methyl salicylate?

Aspirin's label (effective September 9, 2025) does not name menthol/methyl salicylate in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.

Source: FDA drug label (Medique Products Aspirin), Unifirst First Aid Corporation, effective September 9, 2025 (SPL set 9b28fed0-a993-ca72-e053-2995a90ac7fd), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

What does the menthol/methyl salicylate label say about aspirin?

Menthol/methyl salicylate label, warnings

The chance is small but higher if you: are age 60 or older have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems take a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug take other drugs containing an NSAID [aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others] have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product take more or for a longer time than directed Do not use on the face or rashes on wouds or damaged skin if allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs with a heating pad when sweating (such as from exercise or heat) any patch from a pouch that has been open for 14 or more days right before or after heart surgery Ask a doctor before use if you are allergic to topical products the stomach bleeding …

Source: FDA drug label (Salonpas Pain Relief), Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., effective March 14, 2025 (SPL set acd7ba91-221a-485a-ad1f-dd41ed155656), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.

Both medicines on the record

0Aspirin generic labelers
0Menthol/methyl salicylate generic labelers
AspirinMenthol/methyl salicylate
Labeled forPain, Cough and cold, FeverPain
Boxed warningNoNo
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)$0.0142 per tablet 81 mg tablet$0.0365 per gram 15%-10% cream
Shortage nowA presentation being discontinuedNo current entry

Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

What next?