• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

FHE Health - Addiction & Mental Health Care Homepage

Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Treatment

ContactCareers

Call for Immediate Help (833) 596-3502

MENUMENU
  • About
        • About FHE Rehab
          • About FHE Health
          • Our Staff
          • Locations We Serve
          • Testimonials
        • Our Campus
          • Gallery
          • Our Videos
          • The Health and Wellness Center at FHE Health
        • Our Locations
          • Alcohol Rehab
          • Detox Center
          • Drug Rehab
          • Mental Health Center
          • Outpatient Rehab
        • Careers at FHE Health
          • Employment Opportunities
        • Our Expertise
          • Accreditations
          • Educational Opportunities
          • Community Impact Award
          • First Responder Families Podcast
          • First Responder Paws
          • Education Scholarship
  • Addiction
        • Treatment Programs
          • Treatment Program Overview
          • Alcohol Addiction
          • Drug Addiction Treatment
          • Behavioral Addiction
        • Levels of Care
          • Continuum of Care
          • Addiction Detox
          • Inpatient Addiction Treatment
          • Outpatient Addiction Treatment
        • What We Treat
          • Alcoholism
          • Amphetamines
          • Benzodiazepines
          • Cocaine
          • Heroin
          • Opioids
          • Sedative
  • Mental Health
        • Mental Health Rehab
          • Mental Health Rehab
          • Onsite Psychiatric Care
          • Dual Diagnosis
        • Levels of Care
          • Residential Mental Health Care
          • Outpatient Mental Health Care
        • What We Treat
          • ADD & ADHD
          • Anxiety Disorders
          • Bipolar Disorder
          • Depression
          • Eating Disorders
          • Personality Disorders
          • PTSD
          • Schizophrenia
          • Substance Use Disorder
          • Trauma
  • Programs
        • FHE Programs
          • Specialty Program Overview
          • Restore (Mental Health)
          • Empower! (Women's Program)
          • Shatterproof FHE Health(First Responders)
          • Compass Program
        • Support Programs
          • Alumni
          • Family Support
        • Therapies
          • Acupuncture
          • Breathwork Therapy
          • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
          • DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)
          • EMDR Therapy
          • Expressive Arts Therapy
          • Individual Therapy
          • Group Therapy
          • Gambling Therapy
          • Massage
        • Medical Care
          • Medical Integration
          • Ketamine Infusion
          • IV Vitamin
          • Fitness & Nutrition
          • Medication-Assisted Treatment
          • Medication Management
        • NeuroRehab Services
          • Neuro Rehabilitation
          • Neurofeedback Training
          • Neurostimulation Therapy
          • EEG Brain Mapping
          • Insomnia Treatment for PTSD
  • Resources
        • FHE Guides
          • Understanding Drug Abuse
          • Signs of Addiction
          • The Disease of Addiction
          • Confronting Addiction
          • Staging an Intervention
          • Rehab Success Rate – Does It Really Work?
          • Withdrawal Timelines
          • Life After Rehab
          • LGBTQ+ Community Resources
          • Veteran Resources
          • FHE Podcasts
          • Remote Resources Toolkit
        • Learning Center
          • Help for You
          • Help For Loved Ones
          • Help For Alcoholism
          • Help With Substance Abuse
          • Behavioral & Mental Health
          • Life in Recovery
          • Rehab Explained
          • Addiction Statistics
          • Our Research Articles
          • View All Articles
        • The Experience Blog
          • Addiction News
          • Alumni
          • Community Events
          • Expert Opinions
          • FHE Commentary
          • FHE News
          • Treatment Legislation
          • View All Articles
  • Admissions
        • Insurance
          • Blue Cross Insurance
          • Beacon Health / Value Options Insurance
          • Cigna Insurance
          • Humana Insurance
          • TRICARE Insurance
        • Admissions
          • Steps to Addiction Help
          • Will Insurance Cover Behavioral Treatment?
          • Self-Pay Rehab
        • FAQ
          • Keeping Your Job in Rehab
          • Example Day in Rehab
        • Contact Admissions
          • Contact Us
          • Secure Payment Form
  • Contact
  •  
Home > Featured for Drug Addiction > The Dangers of Combining Aspirin with NSAIDs

March 1, 2021 By Kristina Robb-Dover

The Dangers of Combining Aspirin with NSAIDs

Combining NSAIDs and aspirin

It isn’t unusual to hear of someone taking low-dose aspirin to lower heart attack risk alongside ibuprofen for arthritis. However, even though these two over-the-counter drugs have little risk of side effects on their own, together, they can pose more of a problem. To keep yourself protected, it’s best to arm yourself with the information you need to use these medications safely.

So, can you take aspirin and ibuprofen together? To find out, learn more about these drugs, how they work, and the specific dangers they can pose. For more information on substance abuse and related topics, see our website or reach out.  Dr. Beau A. Nelson, DBH, LCSW, FHE Health’s Chief Clinical Officer, shared, “Medications available over the counter, or supplements, or any drug store remedies can still pose a risk and need to be taken with consideration for your personal health.  Consult with your physician or with a pharmacist (a great free resource) before taking medications, especially if you are not sure of the dose or interactions with other things you are taking.”

What Are NSAIDs?

NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are commonly prescribed for painful conditions like arthritis. While NSAIDs come in a variety of forms, some over-the-counter and others prescription, the most common ones are aspirin and ibuprofen.

Pain relief is one of the most common uses of NSAIDs, although they’re also effective anti-inflammatory agents and are good at fighting fevers. They also carry the effect of preventing blood from clotting, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on the situation.

Other side effects of NSAIDs include being more susceptible to bruising, nausea, and ulcers. Females who are pregnant should avoid them, as well as those with high blood pressure, asthma, or a history of liver or kidney disease.

Is Aspirin an NSAID?

Aspirin is an NSAID and is one of the best when taken as a blood thinner, which is why many people use it to protect against heart disease. However, because aspirin has many of the same properties as other NSAIDs, combining it with another can be dangerous.

Why Some People Take Aspirin and Ibuprofen Together

One of the most common uses of aspirin is as a daily low-dose treatment for heart disease. Since many people use the drug daily, they form the impression that it carries very little risk of side effects. This is true in most cases; however, some make the mistake of taking ibuprofen for a headache or arthritis pain too soon after taking their daily heart medication.

The Uses of Aspirin

As mentioned, aspirin offers an array of main benefits that include:

  • Pain relief (especially minor aches)
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Blood thinner
  • Fever reducer

Aspirin is, effectively, among the very first nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to be discovered. Salicylate, a compound in aspirin, has been used for more than 4,000 years for its medicinal qualities. Salicylate is a compound found in various plants like myrtle and willow trees. The ancient “Father of Modern Medicine,” Hippocrates, prescribed willow bark to reduce fevers and pain. Many cultures still rely on willow bark to treat minor pains and headaches.

Today, medical practitioners rely on aspirin to treat many different health issues in addition to those mentioned above. It’s not uncommon for doctors to prescribe aspirin to reduce symptoms associated with:

  • Cold and flu
  • Headaches
  • Menstrual cramping
  • Sprains and strains
  • Tooth pain
  • Arthritis pain
  • Migraines

Physicians may also prescribe aspirin for patients who are at increased risk for cardiovascular events. Aspirin can help prevent blood clots, which are more likely to form in those suffering from:

  • Diabetes
  • Reduced blood flow to brain
  • Heart disease
  • Blood vessel problems
  • Inflammation of heart
  • Retinopathy
  • High ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol
  • Hypertension
  • Swelling

Doctors may also recommend that smokers take an aspirin a day to reduce blood clot risks. Aspirin dosing, of course, depends on the doctor’s recommendations, or people may take it as directed by product instructions.

The Uses of Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Inflammation
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Menstrual pain
  • Toothaches
  • Sprains and strains
  • Arthritis pain
  • Back pain
  • Aches associated with the common cold

In fact, ibuprofen and aspirin are also used to treat many of the same conditions. Many prescription drugs, such as Oxycontin, include ibuprofen in their composition.

Some people may experience side effects after taking ibuprofen. These may include:

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling anxious
  • Bloating
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting

Severe side effects are not common, but they may include fluid retention, skin rash, tinnitus, and dizziness. It’s important to report side effects to your doctor or healthcare provider. At that point, they are likely to recommend a different medication. People with gastrointestinal problems may also want to choose an alternative to ibuprofen.

Dangers of Aspirin and NSAID Combinations

Since aspirin is also an NSAID, it has the same mechanism of action as drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. This means that doubling up on these drugs results in getting double the effects and double the side effects.

Among the most serious of these side effects is gastrointestinal problems. This includes an increased risk of bleeding and peptic ulcers. Generally, the risk of these side effects increases as the dosage of either medication increases.

Other Common Side Effects

Combining aspirin and ibuprofen can lead to a range of different side effects, all ranging in severity and duration. If you notice any of the following, be sure to consult your doctor:

  • Blistered, peeling, red skin
  • Swollen hands and feet
  • Pain in the joints of the hands or feet
  • Yellow eyes or skin, signs of liver problems
  • Blood in urine or coughing up blood

Who’s Most at Risk?

While anybody can suffer from the side effects of combining aspirin and ibuprofen, some people are more at risk than others. Be sure to take extra caution if any of the following describes you:

  • Older than 65
  • Smoke or drink heavily
  • Taking blood thinners
  • Already experience gastrointestinal bleeding
  • On corticosteroid medications

How Long After Taking Aspirin Can You Take Ibuprofen?

The Food and Drug Administration recommends that you wait at least 8 hours after taking ibuprofen to take an immediate-relief aspirin or that you wait 30 minutes after taking aspirin to take ibuprofen. They also recommend consulting your doctor for more personalized information on how drugs can affect you.

What if I Accidentally Combine the Two Drugs?

If you do happen to accidentally combine aspirin and ibuprofen, don’t panic. In most cases, a single incident won’t lead to long-term side effects. However, to stay safe, monitor yourself closely for side effects. If you notice anything concerning, be sure to consult your doctor without hesitation.

How Can I Take Aspirin and Advil Together?

While taking Aspirin and Advil together isn’t recommended for most people, there are ways to lower the risk for those who feel they need the effects of both drugs.

Choose the Right NSAID

Some NSAIDs are less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects than others, and understanding the difference is a good way to stay protected. Drugs such as low-dose Celebrex (celecoxib), Disalcid (salsalate), Voltaren (diclofenac), and Mobic (meloxicam) are all good options.

Use Non-NSAID Alternatives and Therapies

Depending on the cause of your pain, there are plenty of other alternatives that can help you avoid mixing NSAIDs. Tylenol can be a good option for pain relief, though it doesn’t have anti-inflammatory effects.

Non-oral drug therapies can be another good choice, as they won’t cause gastrointestinal problems. Analgesic creams are a good way to provide topical relief for rashes and burns. Subdermal patches can be another option to consider.

Talk to Your Doctor

In any case, those wondering, “How can you mix aspirin with ibuprofen?” should consult their doctor first. While not everyone is sensitive to the gastrointestinal side effects these combinations can cause, mixing drugs of any kind can often come with unexpected consequences.

Staying Safe With NSAIDs

In most cases, common NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen pose very little risk to those who use them. However, they can be a good example of how important it is to remain mindful of the drugs we use regularly. As long as you’re aware of the effects of the medications you’re using and take them as prescribed, you have little to fear.

If you’re looking for more information on the effects of NSAIDs or other topics relating to substance abuse, get in touch. FHE Health has over 15 years of experience working with the medical aspect of addiction. With a talented multidisciplinary team, we provide our patients with top-level care and attention.

Filed Under: Featured for Drug Addiction, Drug Addiction

About Kristina Robb-Dover

Kristina Robb-Dover is a content manager and writer with extensive editing and writing experience... read more

Primary Sidebar

Expert Nelson

Expert Review By

Dr. Beau Nelson, DBH, LCSW
Dr. Beau Nelson

Chief Clinical Officer,
at FHE Health

As chief Clinical Officer at FHE Health, a nationally recognized behavioral health treatment provider, he ensures quality, innovation, and comprehensive treatment for patients.

Dr. Nelson has worked in the behavioral health field for more than 22 years. He has served as a clinical director, clinician, and supervisor for mental health pro- grams in acute, sub-acute, and outpatient facilities, and in primary care.

Read More

Learning Center

  • Help for You
  • Help For Loved Ones
  • Help For Alcoholism
  • Help With Substance Abuse
  • Behavioral & Mental Health
  • Life in Recovery
  • Rehab Explained
  • All Articles

Sign up for the Blog

Our Facilities

Take a look at our state of the art treatment center.

View Our Gallery

The Experience Blog

  • Addiction News
  • Alumni
  • Community Events
  • Expert Columns
  • FHE Commentary
  • FHE News
  • Treatment Legislation
  • All Articles

Footer

FHE Health

© 2025 FHE Health

505 S Federal Hwy #2,
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
1-833-596-3502
youtube facebook instagram linkedin twitter
  • Contact
  • Careers at FHE Health
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
A+ BBB and Top Places to Work - Sun Sentinel

Copyright © 2025 · FHE Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}

The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.

If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at marketing@fhehealth.com.

833-596-3502

Text/Call Me