The Truth About Mixing Aspirin and Ibuprofen

Aspirin and ibuprofen are not the same medication. You should know how each medication works before taking aspirin and ibuprofen together. 

This article will go over whether it is safe to take aspirin and ibuprofen at the same time, how to safely take these medications, and what you can take besides aspirin and ibuprofen to manage your symptoms. 

Is It Safe to Take Aspirin and Ibuprofen Together?

Aspirin is a blood thinner. Your healthcare provider may want you to take it to help with conditions that involve blood clots (which happen when the blood clumps together). For example, taking aspirin may help protect some people against heart attacks and strokes.

Ibuprofen (sold under the brand names Motrin and Advil) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps with pain.

However, ibuprofen can change the blood-thinning (or anti-clotting) effect of low-dose aspirin.

Here are a few key points to know about taking aspirin and ibuprofen at the same time. 

• If you take ibuprofen occasionally, there's not much risk that it will interfere with the effect of low-dose aspirin.
• If you need just one dose of ibuprofen, take it 8 hours before or 30 minutes after taking a regular, non-coated, and not extended-release, low-dose aspirin.
• If you need to take ibuprofen more often, talk to your provider about medication alternatives.

FDA Recommendations for Mixing Ibuprofen and Aspirin

In general, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you wait at least 8 hours after you take ibuprofen to take aspirin. If you take aspirin first, wait at least 30 minutes before you take a dose of ibuprofen.

It’s important to know that the FDA recommendations for mixing ibuprofen and aspirin only focus on low-dose aspirin.

Ibuprofen's ability to affect the blood-thinning effects of coated aspirin or larger doses of aspirin is not known.

To be on the safe side, always talk to your provider or a pharmacist before taking any OTC pain medications if you're already taking aspirin.

What Happens if You Take Aspirin Daily?

Healthcare providers may recommend a daily low dose of aspirin to help reduce the risk of certain heart conditions. However, aspirin can cause side effects like stomach upset and bleeding in the body that can be serious.

Daily aspirin is sometimes recommended for people who are between the ages of 40 and 70 years old who:

• Do not currently have heart conditions
• Are at risk for developing a heart condition in the next 10 years
• Are not at risk for bleeding

What Can I Take Besides Ibuprofen and Aspirin?

There are other OTC painkillers you might be able to take besides ibuprofen and/or aspirin. One of the most common is acetaminophen, which is sold under the brand name Tylenol. 

You should ask your provider what they recommend as an alternative, as well as find out what dose and dosing schedule they recommend to treat your symptoms. 

If you need more pain control than you can get from OTC products, talk to your provider. They might be able to offer a specific recommendation or prescribe something stronger.

Summary

Your provider may want you to take aspirin every day to prevent certain conditions related to your blood clotting. However, keep in mind that if you take ibuprofen at the same time, it can affect aspirin’s ability to do its job to protect you from blood clotting problems.

Ask your provider or pharmacist about alternative medications. For example, you might be able to take Tylenol with ibuprofen to manage your symptoms.