Taking NSAIDs like Ibruprofen with other drugs

[Jajarunner]

I've injured my hip and wanted to take some anti-inflammatories such as ibruprofen. I vaguely rememberred I was told not to take them at one poiints but thought it was because I was on betablockers. But amiadarone being such a 'fierce' drug I thought I had better double check.

Anyway, I contacted my (marvellous) afib nurses and was told that I cannot take them becaue of being on APIXABAN! Which had never even occurred to me.

So I thought I'd share this with everyone, like me, who wasnt aware of this contraindication to taking a common drug - Paracetamol is fine, but not an anti-inflammatory.

Keep safe everyone

[Jalia]

Apart from the contraindication with Apixaban, those suffering from arrhythmias should not take Ibuprofen nor any NSAIDs as these are known to actually promote such arrhythmias.

[Peony4575 in reply to Jalia]

Indeed Celebrex increases your chance of AF by 70% and caused my first episode

[BobD Volunteer]

NSAIDS like ibuprofen must never be taken if you have AF as it has been shown to be a cause of AF.

[Jajarunner in reply to BobD]

What about people who no longer have afib ie are not currently IN afib? Is it still contraindicated.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Jajarunner]

Yes. As I said it has been shown to be a CAUSE of AF.

[Jajarunner in reply to BobD]

Oops, sorry, yes you did say so.

[Bawdy in reply to BobD]

It's a vicious circle, I was taking ibuprofen for psoriatic arthritis when I developed pulmonary embolism , my rheumatologist suggested it may be my arrythmias which created the blood clots, I am staying afloat quite well with taking one ibuprofen morning, anticoagulant at night, this was suggested by my hematologist and the cardiologist says OK. Sure, I would like to take more ibuprofen to make my life more comfortable but am getting by. It's about quality of life.

[Finvola]

Thanks Jajarunner - Ibuprofen is such a common drug that we are inclined to feel it is safe, so it is good to have a reminder that it can enhance the anticoagulation effects of Apixaban.

I blame my AF on years of taking high-dose Ibuprofen for back pain.

[davebakerpurton in reply to Finvola]

High doses of Ibuprofen prescribed by a doctor were what brought my afib on in the first place.

[Finvola in reply to davebakerpurton]

Yes, my GP told me to keep taking them to keep down inflammation from damaged discs. Took the blasted things for years and years.

[RxMe in reply to Finvola]

Same here, although my dose was never ultra high, just pretty regular for back pain. My Primary Care doc later assured me that one would have to have taken copious amounts of ibuprofen for a long time for that to happen. If you just pop a few pills several times a week it should not cause arrhythmia. I’m not su sure....

[Finvola in reply to RxMe]

I'm not so sure of that either. There were studies done in Holland and Denmark on the effects of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac and it was found that both drugs initiated AF in a percentage of subjects. Can't remember the details but the University of Aarhus was involved, I think. One of the recommendations was that antiflammatories should only be prescribed with care in patients over 55.

[Finvola in reply to RxMe]

This was the original study I think, in 2011 and there have been more since then, some with different findings.

bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d3450

[RxMe in reply to Finvola]

Thank you! Ah, more research to digest....what a rabbit hole this AF is!

[Bluesometimes]

I was aware that I couldn't take anti inflammatories as I am on Riveroxaban, However last week during a flare of Rheumatoid Arthritis in my wrists , my GP agreed to my using an ibuprofen gel for pain relief short term and prescribed a 5% gel. I was delighted as it took the edge off the pain. A phone medication review with the pharmacist agreed with this also.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Bluesometimes]

My GP told me years ago that gels in small quantities are fine as so little is absorbed into the blood stream.

[Jaws66]

From the NHS :

nhs.uk/news/medication/risk....

[Ppiman]

I read in one study that drugs like ibuprofen (NSAIDs) - even after a single dose - cause changes in the walls of the intestines that increase the chances of internal blood loss and, sometimes, to a full haemorrhage.

Steve

[RoyMacDonald]

Only last week my Dentist told me Paracetamol was an anti inflammatory. An online search confirms this. Paracetamol has analgesic efficacy equivalent to aspirin, but in therapeutic doses it has only weak anti-inflammatory effects, a functional separation that reflects its differential inhibition of enzymes responsible for prostaglandin synthesis.

[Jajarunner]

Great to know, thanks x

[Roto]

FWIW...I injured my back in Early

March..5 discs !

Spent 3 months ( Corona lockdown period )on my back ate ibuprofen like smarties my GP said take paracetamol..which was absolutely usless...I survived to tell the tale...

[momist]

I already knew this, but there's no harm in being reminded! Thanks for that reminder.

[Ducky2003]

It was one of the first things I was told when I was put on anticoagulants. When my AF first started, I had achilles tendonitis and had been on Ibruprofen for about 2 months so wonder now if that may have been a contributory factor in my AF starting.

Worrying thing was last week, I had a blood vessel pop in my calf and had 2 doctors, one over the phone and one at a walk in centre tell me to take Ibruprofen, after I had just told them I was on Apixaban. When I told them it was contraindicated, they stammered and said yes, that's right, sorry, dont take it. One did suggest the Ibruprofen gel, as its not as readily absorbed but by that point, I didnt trust him so did without 😁.