Some people get away with NSAID use while on Coumadin, some do not. Some doctors even still prescribe them for their warfarin patients. It has to do with whether your stomach bleeds much from them. That can also be affected by how much, how often, and for how long you take the NSAIDs. NSAIDs include aspirin (acetosalycilic acid), ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, ketoprofen, and a melange of brand name arthritis drugs like Celebrex, Vioxx, etc.
Information is conflicting. Al Lodwick has said at least once that he believes Aleve (naproxen sodium) is probably safer than ibuprofens (e.g. Motrin). Chris Crawford found that Aleve raised his INR rather dramatically.
Aspirin affects your platelet production, which doesn't show up on your INR, but does make you take longer to clot. The others don't have that effect. However, Aleve may raise your INR, if Chris' experience holds true.
If you do decide to pursue NSAID use, please include your doctor in the program. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the only major over-the-counter pain reliever that doesn't carry the risk of gastric bleeding or affect INR. However, be careful with quantity if you're tempted to take extra, as acetaminophen is toxic at lower dosages than you might expect. Check with your pharmacist for more complete information.
An excellent source (many here would say
the source) for information about NSAIDs and other drug and Coumadin is Al Lodwick's website.
I wrote something on NSAIDs in that same thread about Motrin and Coumadin that Al and Chris posted to. This will get you to my post, and more importantly also link you to the thread:
http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?p=141946&highlight=NSAID#post141946
Best wishes,
