Drug interactions
Acetylsalicylic acid + Valproic acid
Severity: Moderate
Acetylsalicylic acid and Valproic acid: moderate 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
Aspirin can raise the free fraction of valproic acid and may reduce its clearance, increasing the risk of valproate toxicity. Both drugs can also impair platelet function, adding to bleeding risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Acetylsalicylic acid and Valproic acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Acetylsalicylic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal; Valproic acid belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Salicylate displaces valproate from albumin and inhibits its metabolism, raising free concentrations.
What to do
Monitor free valproate levels and for toxicity (sedation, tremor, hyperammonemia) when regular aspirin is added, and reduce the valproate dose if needed. Avoid salicylates in children on valproate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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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 Valproic acid
- Ertapenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem / vaborbactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Valproic acid Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Acetylsalicylic acid with Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Acetylsalicylic acid and Valproic acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Aspirin can raise the free fraction of valproic acid and may reduce its clearance, increasing the risk of valproate toxicity. Both drugs can also impair platelet function, adding to bleeding risk.
How serious is the interaction between Acetylsalicylic acid and Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor free valproate levels and for toxicity (sedation, tremor, hyperammonemia) when regular aspirin is added, and reduce the valproate dose if needed. Avoid salicylates in children on valproate.
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.
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