What should I avoid while taking aspirin (oral)?
Do not use any other over-the-counter medication without first asking your doctor or
pharmacist. Aspirin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain
products together you may accidentally take too much aspirin. Read the label of any other medicine
you are using to see if it contains aspirin.
Avoid taking an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) while you are taking aspirin.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac
(Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol),
mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn),
piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin. Alcohol may increase your risk of
stomach bleeding.
Avoid taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if you are taking aspirin to prevent stroke or heart
attack. Ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you
must use both medications, take the ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the
aspirin (non-enteric coated form).
What other drugs will affect aspirin (oral)?
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine
(Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox),
paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with aspirin
may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking aspirin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
another salicylate such as choline salicylate and/or
magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin,
Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
aspirin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.