Drug interactions
Heparin + Ketoprofen
Severity: Major
Heparin and Ketoprofen: major 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
Using ketoprofen with heparin raises the risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, because platelet function is impaired in addition to anticoagulation. This is particularly relevant at therapeutic heparin doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Heparin and Ketoprofen 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.
Heparin belongs to Cardiovascular; Ketoprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive hemostatic impairment from antithrombin-mediated anticoagulation and NSAID platelet inhibition with mucosal injury.
What to do
Avoid NSAIDs with therapeutic heparin where possible and use paracetamol; if combined, monitor aPTT or anti-Xa as indicated and watch for bleeding.
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 Heparin and Ketoprofen, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Ketoprofen
- Ketoprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Ketoprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Ketoprofen Major
- Acemetacin + Ketoprofen Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketoprofen Major
- Alteplase + Ketoprofen 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 Heparin with Ketoprofen?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Heparin and Ketoprofen 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. Using ketoprofen with heparin raises the risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, because platelet function is impaired in addition to anticoagulation. This is particularly relevant at therapeutic heparin doses.
How serious is the interaction between Heparin and Ketoprofen?
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 NSAIDs with therapeutic heparin where possible and use paracetamol; if combined, monitor aPTT or anti-Xa as indicated and watch for bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Ketoprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Ketoprofen 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.
