Ibroprufen Gel with Apixaban

[Kirton]

Can you use ibuprofen gel whilst taking Apixaban?

[BobD Volunteer]

Sparingly is the critical term. My doctors told me that when gel is used sparingly little enters the blood stream. By the way, it is not so much contra indication , rather that ibuprofen promotes AF.

[Kirton in reply to BobD]

Thank you

[etheral in reply to BobD]

So it's not just the increased possibility of GI bleed from irratation of stomach and being on apixaban? Any sources for Ibuprofen promoting AFib? Thanks ..

[Suebo2 in reply to etheral]

It’s fine taking gel, as it’s not ingested and then upsetting your stomach.

[Hidden in reply to etheral]

bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d3450

Any research seems potentially undone by poor methodology and dubious statistical analysis. The specifics here are beyond me.

[Suebo2 in reply to BobD]

I e never heard of Bruges promoting AF

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Suebo2]

A Danish study about five years ago found that long term use of ibuprofen actually caused and promoted AF which is why we recommend it is not used, over and above any other contra indications. There have been other such findings since.

[Suebo2 in reply to BobD]

Thank you. I’ll check it out.

[jeff1257 in reply to BobD]

Ibuprofen is a NSAID. NSAIDS increase bleeding risk with apixaban. I never heard it promotes Afib. What is your source?

[skibarb in reply to jeff1257]

AGREE

[Frankanonymously1]

I was told that ibuprofen was not to be used at all when on Apixaban.

Same with aspirin.

[Dodie117]

My GP told me last week it was ok to use it as very little enters the bloodstream. I did question her but she confirmed this. I have not used it but would do so if necessary-as Bob says, sparingly.

[jedimasterlincoln]

Topically very little enters the bloodstream compared with orally. As a result of not ingesting it, it doesn't really increase the risk of a GI bleed which is problematic on Apixaban but some studies have shown a link between NSAIDs like ibuprofen Diclofenac and Naproxen and an increase of episodes though I have read evidence to say that Naproxen at least is probably the "safest" of all of these three particularly when you've been on it longer than 12 weeks, whilst Ibuprofen itself is pretty bad orally for causing AF compared to the others.

[Offcut]

I have never been able to use Ibuprofen even sparingly! (I do have a lot going on! )