Taking low-dose aspirin with other medicines and herbal supplements

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines affect the way aspirin works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start taking aspirin:

• medicines to prevent blood clots such as clopidogrel and warfarin – taking them with aspirin might cause bleeding problems
• medicines for pain and swelling (inflammation) such as ibuprofen and prednisolone
• medicines to prevent organ rejection after transplant such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus
• medicines to treat high blood pressure such as furosemide and ramipril
• digoxin, a medicine for heart problems
• lithium, a medicine for mental health problems
• acetazolamide, for glaucoma
• methotrexate, a medicine used to stop the immune system overreacting and sometimes to treat some types of cancer
• diabetes medicines, such as insulin and gliclazide

Taking low-dose aspirin with painkillers

It's safe to take low-dose aspirin with paracetamol.

However, do not take aspirin with similar drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen without talking to your doctor.

Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen all belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you take them together, aspirin plus ibuprofen or naproxen may increase your chances of side effects like stomach irritation.

Mixing aspirin with herbal remedies or supplements

Low-dose aspirin may not mix well with a lot of complementary and herbal medicines. It could change the way they, or the aspirin, works and increase your chances of side effects. Some herbal products, such as turmeric, can potentially increase your risk of bleeding.