Millions of people take baby aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack. If you are one of them and use ibuprofen for pain relief, you may be blocking aspirin's heart benefits, according to Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.
A study in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine looked at the interactions between aspirin and other common painkillers. The study found that when one dose of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) was taken before aspirin, it reduced aspirin's ability to keep platelets from clumping, thought to help prevent heart attacks.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), rofecoxib (Vioxx) and diclofenac sodium didn't appear to effect aspirin's effectiveness.
Researchers believe that taking an occasional ibuprofen tablet won't hinder aspirin's overall effects, especially if it's taken several hours after the aspirin. But those who take ibuprofen regularly for weeks or months at a time should talk to their physician about switching to a different painkiller.