NutriStack
Fish Oil and Ibuprofen, a caution.
Both ibuprofen and fish oil have antiplatelet effects. Combined use may modestly increase GI bleeding risk. However, the interaction is generally mild at moderate fish oil doses.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 6 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. Both ibuprofen and fish oil have antiplatelet effects. Combined use may modestly increase GI bleeding risk. However, the interaction is generally mild at moderate fish oil doses.
Mechanism. Ibuprofen inhibits COX-1/2, reducing protective GI prostaglandins and inhibiting platelet TXA2. Fish oil EPA competes with arachidonic acid, further reducing TXA2. Dual antiplatelet + GI effects.
Recommendation. Low-to-moderate fish oil (1-2g/day) is generally safe with occasional ibuprofen. Monitor for GI symptoms with chronic use of both.
Sources (6)
- Bays HE. Safety considerations with omega-3 fatty acid therapy. Am J Cardiol. 2007;99(6A):35C-43C. PMID 17368277
- Tan E, Braithwaite I, McKinlay CJD et al.. Comparison of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) With Ibuprofen for Treatment of Fever or Pain in Children Younger Than 2 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.. JAMA Network Open. 2020. PMID 33125495
- Miroshnychenko A, Ibrahim S, Azab M et al.. Acute Postoperative Pain Due to Dental Extraction in the Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.. Journal of Dental Research. 2023. PMID 36631957
- Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H et al.. Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis.. Translational Psychiatry. 2019. PMID 31383846
- Wei BZ, Li L, Dong CW et al.. The Relationship of Omega-3 Fatty Acids with Dementia and Cognitive Decline: Evidence from Prospective Cohort Studies of Supplementation, Dietary Intake, and Blood Markers.. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2023. PMID 37028557
- Uchida Y, Tsuji K, Ochi E. Effects of Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation and resistance training on skeletal muscle.. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. 2024. PMID 38777432
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Fish Oil and Ibuprofen are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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