Arthritis pain relief while taking warfarin
Ask the doctor
I take warfarin for my atrial fibrillation. I know it can increase the risk of bleeding. Is it okay for me to take ibuprofen for my arthritis?Ibuprofen and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, generics) belong to the class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These drugs can irritate and erode the protective lining of the stomach, which can increase the likelihood of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. And via a different mechanism than with warfarin, these NSAIDs also make the blood less likely to form clots, which raises the risk of bleeding anywhere in the body. This can show up as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or black, tarry stools, for example.
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