Aspirin and Vancomycin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Jul 11, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Vancomycin
Aspirin
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased aspirin exposure and an increased risk of nephrotoxicity
Interaction Deep Dive
Use aspirin with caution if used concomitantly with drugs associated with nephrotoxicity (eg, vancomycin). Concomitant use with aspirin may lead to additive nephrotoxicity due to the inhibition of renal prostaglandins by aspirin. Also, the plasma concentration of aspirin is increased by conditions that reduce the glomerular filtration rate or tubular secretion. Closely monitor the renal function of patients1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Reduction of glomerular filtration rate or tubular secretion; additive nephrotoxicity due to the inhibition of renal prostaglandins by aspirin
Common questions
Can I take Aspirin and Vancomycin together?
Increased aspirin exposure and an increased risk of nephrotoxicity Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Aspirin and Vancomycin interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Aspirin or Vancomycin need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: CARISOPRODOL, ASPIRIN, CODEINE PHOSPHATE oral tablets, carisoprodol, aspirin, codeine phosphate oral tablets. Ingenus Pharmaceuticals LLC (per DailyMed), Orlando, FL, 2021. DailyMed
Keep reading about Vancomycin
Keep reading about Aspirin
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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