Drug interactions
Acetylsalicylic acid + Lithium
Severity: Minor
Acetylsalicylic acid and Lithium: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Unlike other NSAIDs, aspirin generally does not raise serum lithium concentrations to a meaningful degree. Occasional reports suggest a small effect at high doses, but clinically important lithium toxicity is not typical.
What this interaction means in plain words
Acetylsalicylic acid and Lithium have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Acetylsalicylic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Aspirin does not appreciably reduce renal lithium clearance, in contrast to other NSAIDs that lower renal prostaglandin-dependent excretion.
What to do
No routine dose change is needed; check lithium levels if high-dose aspirin is started or stopped, or if signs of lithium toxicity appear.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Acetylsalicylic acid and Lithium, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acemetacin + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acetazolamide + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Alteplase Major
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Acetylsalicylic acid with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Acetylsalicylic acid and Lithium have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Unlike other NSAIDs, aspirin generally does not raise serum lithium concentrations to a meaningful degree. Occasional reports suggest a small effect at high doses, but clinically important lithium toxicity is not typical.
How serious is the interaction between Acetylsalicylic acid and Lithium?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change is needed; check lithium levels if high-dose aspirin is started or stopped, or if signs of lithium toxicity appear.
What other medicines interact with Acetylsalicylic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Abciximab. The full list is on the Acetylsalicylic acid page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
