Topical analgesic (oral mucosa)

Choline salicylate

Brand names: Bonjela

Choline salicylate is a salicylate used topically as an oral gel for the symptomatic relief of pain from minor mouth lesions such as mouth ulcers.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

Applied topically to the oral mucosa it provides local analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects through its salicylate action.

Prescribing in practice

Because it is a salicylate, it should not be used in children and adolescents owing to the theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome, and frequency of application should not be exceeded to avoid local irritation or salicylate effects.
It is intended for short-term symptomatic relief of mouth ulcers and minor oral lesions, not for prolonged use.
Use with caution in patients with salicylate hypersensitivity.

Monitoring

No laboratory monitoring is required; review if oral lesions persist or fail to heal so that other causes can be excluded.

Counselling the patient

Apply a small amount to the sore area and avoid using it more often than directed.
It is not suitable for children or teenagers.
See your dentist or doctor if a mouth ulcer lasts longer than expected.

Evidence & guidelines

Topical salicylate oral gels are an established option for symptomatic relief of minor oral lesions described in current prescribing references.

Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways