Drug interactions
Diflunisal + Heparin
Severity: Major
Diflunisal and Heparin: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: EMA SmPC
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
Diflunisal impairs platelet function and can injure the gastric mucosa, so combining it with heparin increases the risk of clinically significant bleeding. The risk is highest with prolonged use or therapeutic heparin doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diflunisal and Heparin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Diflunisal belongs to Musculoskeletal; Heparin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive hemostatic impairment: NSAID platelet inhibition and mucosal injury plus heparin-mediated anticoagulation.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use where possible and prefer paracetamol for analgesia. If combined, monitor for bleeding, hemoglobin and aPTT or anti-Xa as appropriate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Diflunisal and Heparin, 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.
References
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 Heparin
- Defibrotide + Heparin Contraindicated
- Heparin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Heparin + Oritavancin Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Heparin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Heparin Major
- Alteplase + Heparin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diflunisal with Heparin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Diflunisal and Heparin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Diflunisal impairs platelet function and can injure the gastric mucosa, so combining it with heparin increases the risk of clinically significant bleeding. The risk is highest with prolonged use or therapeutic heparin doses.
How serious is the interaction between Diflunisal and Heparin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use where possible and prefer paracetamol for analgesia. If combined, monitor for bleeding, hemoglobin and aPTT or anti-Xa as appropriate.
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.
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.
