Drug interactions
Diflunisal + Ethanol
Severity: Moderate
Diflunisal and Ethanol: 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
Alcohol irritates the gastric mucosa and diflunisal inhibits protective prostaglandins and platelet function. Together they increase the risk of gastric irritation, ulceration and GI bleeding, particularly with heavy or chronic drinking.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diflunisal and Ethanol 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.
Why it happens
Additive gastric mucosal injury from alcohol and NSAID-mediated prostaglandin inhibition plus impaired platelet function.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid or minimize alcohol while taking diflunisal, and consider gastroprotection in those at high GI risk.
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 Diflunisal
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diflunisal + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Diflunisal Major
- Acetazolamide + Diflunisal Major
- Alteplase + Diflunisal Major
- Amiloride + Diflunisal Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diflunisal with Ethanol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diflunisal and Ethanol 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. Alcohol irritates the gastric mucosa and diflunisal inhibits protective prostaglandins and platelet function. Together they increase the risk of gastric irritation, ulceration and GI bleeding, particularly with heavy or chronic drinking.
How serious is the interaction between Diflunisal and Ethanol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid or minimize alcohol while taking diflunisal, and consider gastroprotection in those at high GI risk.
What other medicines interact with Diflunisal?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diflunisal with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Diflunisal page.
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