Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Alternative Medicine
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Also indexed as:

Dalfon, Diflunisal, Dolobid, Fenoprofen, Meclofenamate, Meclomen, Mefenamic Acid, Meloxicam, Mobic, NSAIDs, Ponstel, Tolectin, Tolmetin

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a family of medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, mild-to-moderate pain, menstrual cramps, bursitis, gout, and migraine headaches, as well as other conditions. Ophthalmic formulations of certain NSAIDs are used during or after eye surgery. NSAIDs are divided into two categories, based on their action within the body: COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors.

Interactions involving oral NSAIDs in general are described on this page. For interactions involving specific NSAIDs, refer to the highlighted drugs listed below.

Herbs

Summary of Interactions for NSAIDs

Depletion or interference	None known
Adverse interaction	Lithium White willow
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known
Interactions common to many, if not all, NSAIDs are described in this article. Interactions reported for only one or several drugs in this class may not be listed in this article. Some drugs listed in this article are linked to articles specific to that respective drug; please refer to those individual drug articles. The information in this article may not necessarily apply to drugs in this class for which no separate article exists. If you are taking an NSAID for which no separate article exists, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Supplements

Lithium

Lithium is a mineral that may be present in some supplements and is also used in large amounts to treat mood disorders such as manic-depression (bipolar disorder). Most NSAIDs inhibit the excretion of lithium from the body, resulting in higher blood levels of the mineral, though sulindac may have an opposite effect.¹ Since major changes in lithium blood levels can produce unwanted side effects or interfere with its efficacy, NSAIDs should be used with caution, and only under medical supervision, in people taking lithium supplements.

Interactions with Herbs

White willow bark (Salix alba)

White willow bark contains salicin, which is related to aspirin. Both salicin and aspirin produce anti-inflammatory effects after they have been converted to salicylic acid in the body. The administration of salicylates like aspirin to individuals taking oral NSAIDs may result in reduced blood levels of NSAIDs.² Though no studies have investigated interactions between white willow bark and NSAIDs, people taking NSAIDs should avoid the herb until more information is available.

References

Olin BR, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Analgesics and Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents, In Drug Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1993, 1172-90.
Olin BR, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Analgesics and Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents, In Drug Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1993, 1172-90.

Last Review: 09-01-2007

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2008.

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