Pharmacists Warn 81-mg Aspirin Can Trigger Bleeding With Blood Thinners, NSAIDs and Supplements
Updated
Updated · AOL · Aug 14
Pharmacists Warn 81-mg Aspirin Can Trigger Bleeding With Blood Thinners, NSAIDs and Supplements
3 articles · Updated · AOL · Aug 14
Summary
Even 81-mg aspirin can raise the risk of stomach bleeding, ulcers and—more rarely—brain bleeding, pharmacists said, challenging the idea that the over-the-counter drug is harmless.
Aspirin’s platelet-blocking effect acts like a blood thinner, making combinations especially risky with warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, clopidogrel, ticagrelor and prasugrel.
Ibuprofen, naproxen, prednisone and methylprednisolone can further irritate the stomach or increase bleeding risk, while some antidepressants may also elevate that risk and warrant a doctor’s review.
Ginkgo biloba, garlic supplements, high-dose fish oil, vitamin E and alcohol were also flagged, along with OTC products such as Excedrin and Alka-Seltzer that may already contain aspirin or another NSAID.
Adults over 60 face higher bleeding risk, and pharmacists urged patients to tell all providers—including dentists—about aspirin use before starting, stopping or combining it with other medicines.