Drug interactions
Diflunisal + Fluoxetine
Severity: Moderate
Diflunisal and Fluoxetine: 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
Fluoxetine with an NSAID increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding beyond either agent alone. Older patients and those with ulcer history are most exposed.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diflunisal and Fluoxetine 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.
Diflunisal belongs to Musculoskeletal; Fluoxetine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
SSRI-induced platelet serotonin depletion impairs aggregation, adding to NSAID platelet inhibition and mucosal injury.
What to do
Avoid if possible, or add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Advise patients to report melena or hematemesis.
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
Other interactions of Fluoxetine
- Fluoxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diflunisal with Fluoxetine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diflunisal and Fluoxetine 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. Fluoxetine with an NSAID increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding beyond either agent alone. Older patients and those with ulcer history are most exposed.
How serious is the interaction between Diflunisal and Fluoxetine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid if possible, or add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Advise patients to report melena or hematemesis.
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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