Drug class·NSAIDs·Reviewed June 9, 2026
NSAIDs and supplements: the bleeding-risk overlap.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs already carry GI and bleeding risk; supplements with antiplatelet effects (fish oil, ginkgo, high-dose vitamin E) add to it. The documented pairings for each NSAID are below.
NSAIDs at a glance.
A quick, data-grounded summary. The per-drug tables are below.
Across the 4 NSAIDs in the NutriStack database (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen, and Meloxicam), 11 substances have a documented interaction. Interactions are documented per drug, and members of a class do not all behave the same, so check your exact medication below. None of this replaces your prescriber's advice.
The NSAIDs we track.
Open any medication for its own full interaction and depletion guide.
Substances that interact with NSAIDs.
Merged across the class, highest severity first. The 'Documented for' column shows which members carry the interaction record; an absent drug means no documented record, not proven safety.
| Substance | Interaction | Documented for | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Caution | All 4 NSAIDs | Ibuprofen: Alcohol increases the chance of stomach bleeding while taking ibuprofen. The combination is most concerning with repeated ibuprofen... |
| Fish Oil | Caution | All 4 NSAIDs | Ibuprofen: Both ibuprofen and fish oil have antiplatelet effects. Combined use may modestly increase GI bleeding risk. However, the interaction is... |
| Ginkgo Biloba | Caution | All 4 NSAIDs | Ibuprofen: Ginkgo biloba may add antiplatelet effects to ibuprofen and has a published case of fatal intracerebral bleeding with ibuprofen. Ibuprofen... |
| Nattokinase | Caution | All 4 NSAIDs | Ibuprofen: Nattokinase has fibrinolytic and anticoagulant effects that may add to ibuprofen-related bleeding risk. Ibuprofen can irritate the GI... |
| Potassium | Caution | All 4 NSAIDs | Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen can reduce kidney potassium excretion, and potassium supplements can push serum potassium higher. This is most important if you... |
| Turmeric/Curcumin | Caution | All 4 NSAIDs | Ibuprofen: Concentrated turmeric/curcumin may add antiplatelet effects to ibuprofen's bleeding risk. Ibuprofen also increases upper GI injury risk,... |
| Garlic Extract | Caution | Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen | Ibuprofen: Concentrated garlic extract may add antiplatelet activity to ibuprofen's bleeding risk. This is most relevant with high-dose garlic... |
| Methotrexate | Caution | Ibuprofen, Naproxen | Ibuprofen: NSAIDs reduce renal clearance of methotrexate, potentially leading to toxic methotrexate accumulation. This can cause severe bone marrow... |
| Apixaban | Caution | Ibuprofen | NSAIDs increase the bleeding risk when combined with DOACs through antiplatelet effects and GI mucosal irritation. While DOACs have fewer... |
| Curcumin Phytosome | Caution | Diclofenac | Curcumin phytosome may add antiplatelet effects to diclofenac's NSAID bleeding risk. Phytosome formulations are intended to improve... |
| Warfarin | Caution | Ibuprofen | NSAIDs increase bleeding risk with warfarin through dual mechanisms: antiplatelet effects and GI mucosal damage. Ibuprofen also inhibits... |
Common NSAIDs questions.
Quick answers drawn from the tables above.
Do all NSAIDs interact with supplements the same way?
No. Interactions are documented per drug, and the 4 NSAIDs in the database differ in how they are absorbed and cleared. The class table above shows which members carry each record; a drug without a record is undocumented, not proven safe.
Is it safe to take Alcohol with NSAIDs?
NutriStack classifies the Alcohol and Ibuprofen pairing as caution: Alcohol increases the chance of stomach bleeding while taking ibuprofen. The combination is most concerning with repeated ibuprofen dosing, binge drinking, older age,... The interaction is documented for 4 of the 4 NSAIDs, and severity differs by drug. Always confirm with your prescriber.
Check your whole stack
See how your medication fits your supplements.
NutriStack screens your full routine for interactions and depletions, and updates the moment you change it.