*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature O: Orthodontics.

Taking Aspirin With Other Medicines And Herbal Supplements

NHS medicines information on how some medicines, herbal remedies or herbal supplements can affect taking aspirin for pain relief.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines affect the way aspirin works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start taking aspirin:

medicines to prevent blood clots such as clopidogrel, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin - taking them with aspirin might cause bleeding problems
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline, to treat depression
medicines for pain and swelling (inflammation) such as ibuprofen and prednisolone
medicines to prevent organ rejection after transplant such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus
medicines to treat high blood pressure such as furosemide and ramipril
digoxin, a medicine for heart problems
lithium, a medicine for mental health problems
acetazolamide, for glaucoma
methotrexate, a medicine used to stop the immune system overreacting and sometimes to treat some types of cancer
diabetes medicines, such as insulin and gliclazide

Taking aspirin and other painkillers

It's safe to take aspirin as a painkiller with paracetamol or codeine.

But do not take aspirin with ibuprofen or naproxen without talking to a doctor. Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you take them together, aspirin and ibuprofen or naproxen may increase the chance of you getting side effects like stomach ache.

Speak to a pharmacist if you're unsure about dosages and timings when taking aspirin with other painkillers.

Mixing aspirin with herbal remedies or supplements

Aspirin may not mix well with complementary and herbal medicines. It could change the way they work and increase your chance of side effects.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature O: Orthodontics. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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