The effect of salicylates and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on the production of Staphylococcus epidermidis extracellular slime was studied. A dose-related decrease in slime production was observed with increasing concentrations of salicylic acid. S. epidermidis grown in 5 mM salicylic acid were less likely to adhere to Silastic, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and Teflon catheters (P < .006); strains grown in 2 mM salicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, or phenylbutazone were less adherent to Silastic catheters (P < .001). Similar results were obtained with polyurethane catheters. S. epidermidis strains were less likely to adhere (43%–82% inhibition) to polyurethane catheters treated with 500 mM salicylic acid diluted in ethanol (P < .0001). Similar differences were not observed with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or acetylsalicylic acid. Adherence of radiolabeled S. epidermidis to salicylic acid-treated Silastic catheters demonstrated a dose-related reduction. The use of salicylic acid to coat medical devices may decrease the incidence of device-related infection.