Taking some medicines together can cause problems. This is called a medicine or drug interaction.
A common interaction happens when you take anti-inflammatories while you are taking some blood pressure medicines. ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and diuretics are often used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Taking these medicines together is safe, but it is not safe to take them with an anti-inflammatory as well. This can damage your kidneys. Read more about acute kidney injury.
Although using NSAIDs with blood pressure medicines such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers may be less harmful to your kidneys, NSAIDs must still be used very cautiously by people taking these medicines.
For more information, see NSAIDs learning activity.
Studies have shown that all NSAIDs, except aspirin in low doses, can increase the chance of heart attack or stroke.
- The risk may be greater if you have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
- However, the risk of heart attack or stroke may also be increased in people who do not have heart disease or those risk factors.
- Heart problems caused by NSAIDs can happen within the first weeks of use.
- Heart problems may occur more often with higher doses or with long-term use.
- NSAIDs should not be used right before or after heart bypass surgery.
Read more about the risks associated with taking NSAIDs.
