Drug interactions
Ibuprofen + Valsartan
Severity: Moderate
Ibuprofen and Valsartan: 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
Ibuprofen can weaken the blood pressure lowering effect of valsartan and, together with an angiotensin receptor blocker, may impair kidney function, especially in elderly or volume-depleted patients. Potassium may also rise.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ibuprofen and Valsartan 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.
Ibuprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal; Valsartan belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
NSAIDs reduce vasodilatory prostaglandins and afferent arteriolar flow, while ARBs dilate the efferent arteriole, lowering glomerular filtration and also reducing potassium excretion.
What to do
Ensure adequate hydration and monitor blood pressure, serum creatinine and potassium after starting or changing ibuprofen. Avoid regular NSAID use in high-risk patients, especially with a diuretic.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Ibuprofen and Valsartan, 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 Ibuprofen
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Ibuprofen Major
- Alteplase + Ibuprofen Major
- Amiloride + Ibuprofen Major
- Apixaban + Ibuprofen Major
Other interactions of Valsartan
- Aliskiren + Valsartan Contraindicated
- Sparsentan + Valsartan Contraindicated
- Aldesleukin + Valsartan Major
- Amifostine + Valsartan Major
- Amiloride + Valsartan Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Valsartan Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ibuprofen with Valsartan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ibuprofen and Valsartan 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. Ibuprofen can weaken the blood pressure lowering effect of valsartan and, together with an angiotensin receptor blocker, may impair kidney function, especially in elderly or volume-depleted patients. Potassium may also rise.
How serious is the interaction between Ibuprofen and Valsartan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Ensure adequate hydration and monitor blood pressure, serum creatinine and potassium after starting or changing ibuprofen. Avoid regular NSAID use in high-risk patients, especially with a diuretic.
What other medicines interact with Ibuprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ibuprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Ibuprofen 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.
