When two or more medicines are taken at the same time, the effects of one of the medicines can be altered by the other (drug-drug interaction). Aspirin can interact with other medicines.
Some of the more common interactions are listed below. However, this is not a complete list.
If you want to check your medicines are safe to take with aspirin, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers
Aspirin should not be taken with anti-inflammatory painkillers such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, indometacin or naproxen, as this increases the risk of bleeding in the stomach.
Read more information on these medicines on our anti-inflammatory painkillers medicines info page.
Methotrexate
Aspirin can reduce the body’s ability to remove methotrexate, and can therefore increase your risk of serious side effects from this drug.
SSRI antidepressants
Taking aspirin with SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline or venlafaxine may increase your risk of bleeding.
Read more information on these medicines on our SSRI antidepressants medicines info page.
Warfarin
Warfarin is an anticoagulant medicine that prevents your blood from clotting. Aspirin taken with warfarin can increase your risk of bleeding. However, there are some situations where you may be advised by your doctor to take aspirin and warfarin together.
Interactions with food and alcohol
There are no known interactions between aspirin and food.
However, it is a good idea to take aspirin with or after food, to help reduce irritation to the stomach.
It may be safe to drink alcohol with some painkillers that can be bought over the counter (OTC), as long as you:
- check the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine
- take the correct dose of your medicine
- do not drink more than the maximum recommended daily limits of alcohol
Taking more than the recommended dose of aspirin or ibuprofen increases the risk of irritation to your stomach lining. This risk is increased further if you drink more than the recommended daily limits and may lead to bleeding from the stomach.
nteractions with other medicines
