Drug interactions
Duloxetine + Flurbiprofen
Severity: Moderate
Duloxetine and Flurbiprofen: 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
Duloxetine reduces platelet serotonin uptake and impairs platelet aggregation, and flurbiprofen adds antiplatelet activity and gastric mucosal injury. The combination increases the risk of upper GI and other bleeding.
What this interaction means in plain words
Duloxetine and Flurbiprofen 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.
Duloxetine belongs to Central Nervous System; Flurbiprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive platelet dysfunction (serotonin reuptake inhibition plus COX-1 inhibition) with NSAID mucosal toxicity.
What to do
Consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients at higher GI risk and use the lowest effective NSAID dose for the shortest duration. Counsel patients to report melena, hematemesis or easy bruising.
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 Flurbiprofen
- Flurbiprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Flurbiprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Flurbiprofen Major
- Acemetacin + Flurbiprofen Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Flurbiprofen Major
- Alteplase + Flurbiprofen Major
Other interactions of Duloxetine
- Duloxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Duloxetine with Flurbiprofen?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Duloxetine and Flurbiprofen 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. Duloxetine reduces platelet serotonin uptake and impairs platelet aggregation, and flurbiprofen adds antiplatelet activity and gastric mucosal injury. The combination increases the risk of upper GI and other bleeding.
How serious is the interaction between Duloxetine and Flurbiprofen?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients at higher GI risk and use the lowest effective NSAID dose for the shortest duration. Counsel patients to report melena, hematemesis or easy bruising.
What other medicines interact with Flurbiprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Flurbiprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Flurbiprofen page.
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