{"id":814214,"date":"2026-08-15T06:56:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T06:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/814214\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T06:56:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T06:56:18","slug":"pharmacists-warn-you-should-never-take-aspirin-if-youre-on-this-supplement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/814214\/","title":{"rendered":"Pharmacists Warn You Should Never Take Aspirin if You\u2019re on This Supplement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aspirin is one of those drugs you probably consider innocuous, and most of us keep a bottle of it on hand for aches and pains. But this over-the-counter medicine is more potent than you think. \u201cMany people assume aspirin is harmless because it can be purchased without a prescription, but that is not entirely true,\u201d says Cavan O\u2019Kane, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP, CTTS, a clinical pharmacy specialist at the Medication Management Clinic at Cooper University Health Care<\/a>. \u201cEven low doses of aspirin (81 mg) can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers and bleeding in the brain, which is rare, but serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why is aspirin risky to mix with?<\/p>\n

Aspirin belongs to the family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). \u201cThink of ibuprofen or naproxen; these are also NSAIDs,\u201d says Mark Karasin, DNP, APN, RN, AGACNP-BC, CNOR(E), an assistant professor and specialty director for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs at the Rutgers School of Nursing<\/a>. \u201cThese medications work on cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes to produce the desired effect. What makes aspirin stand out from its cousins is its effect on platelets, disk-shaped blood cells that stick together like a mesh to form clots when you get a cut. Aspirin deactivates this clumping property, and so, as clinicians, we often think of aspirin as a blood thinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

These blood-thinning properties are what can be problematic when aspirin is mixed with certain other drugs and substances. \u201cThe risk of bleeding increases as individuals get older, especially after the age of 60,\u201d says O\u2019Kane. \u201cBecause of these risks, aspirin is not recommended for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is why it\u2019s important to discuss aspirin use with your doctor. \u201cWe often miss this critical step of having an open conversation with our healthcare provider about the important details of all prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements,\u201d says Karasin. \u201cAspirin feels familiar because it has been around for generations. However, being common and not requiring a prescription does not make it harmless. Aspirin is still a powerful medication that can cause real harm if used improperly.\u201d<\/p>\n

What to avoid when using aspirin<\/p>\n

Because many of us take both prescription and over-the-counter drugs or supplements, here\u2019s what you shouldn\u2019t mix with aspirin:<\/p>\n

Blood Thinners<\/p>\n

Drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa), clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta), and prasugrel (Effient) should not be mixed with aspirin use. \u201cTaking aspirin with these medications can significantly increase the risk of dangerous or serious bleeding,\u201d says O\u2019Kane. \u201cSometimes these combinations are necessary but should be used under medical supervision because the bleeding risk is much higher.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other NSAIDs<\/p>\n

Taking other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) with aspirin carries an increased risk of irritating the stomach lining. \u201cStacking it with ibuprofen or naproxen may exacerbate conditions like peptic ulcer disease or reflux and lead to oozing from the stomach,\u201d says Karasin. \u201cA good rule is to always question taking two types of medications from the same category.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antidepressants<\/p>\n

Some antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) and to a much lower extent, escitalopram (Lexapro) or citalopram (Celexa), can elevate the risk of bleeding. They typically do not have to be avoided, but there should always be a discussion with your doctor about aspirin usage with these medications, says Karasin.<\/p>\n

Steroids <\/p>\n

Unfortunately, medications such as prednisone and methylprednisolone may increase the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding when taken with aspirin, says O\u2019Kane.<\/p>\n

Over-the-counter supplements <\/p>\n

Some supplements can also increase bleeding risk such as ginkgo biloba, garlic supplements, fish oil (especially higher doses), and vitamin E, so they\u2019re not recommended for use in combination with aspirin, says O\u2019Kane.<\/p>\n

Other OTC medicationsfor headaches, colds, allergies, and heartburn <\/p>\n

It may sound surprising, but it\u2019s smart to look at the contents of specific over-the-counter products that are used for headaches (such as Excedrin), cold and flu (such as Alka-Seltzer), allergies, congestion, heartburn, and upset stomach as they may be co-formulated with aspirin or an NSAID, says O\u2019Kane.<\/p>\n

Alcohol<\/p>\n

Although most foods are fine with aspirin (including grapefruit!), one major dietary precaution stands above the rest: alcohol. It can irritate the stomach and increase the risk of stomach bleeding.<\/p>\n

\"things<\/a><\/p>\n

Hill Street Studios – Getty Images<\/p>\n

The bottom line<\/p>\n

Combining aspirin with some common prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause dangerous interactions, namely, bleeding issues. \u201cThis is why it is critical to discuss the use of aspirin with your healthcare provider, especially before starting or stopping it,\u201d says Karasin.<\/p>\n

You also should tell all your providers that you use aspirin\u2014including your dentist\u2014so they\u2019re aware of any potential risks to you during treatment. \u201cAspirin can be very helpful for some people, but it isn’t risk-free,\u201d says O\u2019Kane.<\/p>\n

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