Flurbiprofen and Sibutramine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Sibutramine
No brand names on recordFlurbiprofen
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
An increased risk of bleeding
Interaction Deep Dive
Use caution when coadministering NSAIDs and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) as this may cause an increased risk of bleeding34. During clinical trials, concomitant use of NSAIDs and antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and MAOIs, resulted in an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage within 30 days of concomitant use compared with antidepressant use alone 2. When NSAIDs and SNRIs are given concurrently, monitor the patient for signs of increased bleeding 14.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive effects on hemostasis
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) Concomitant use of NSAIDs and antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and MAOIs, resulted in an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage within 30 days of concomitant use compared with antidepressant use alone. There was no significant difference between the antidepressant drug classes and the increased risk; however, there was an increased risk associated with male patients compared with female patients 2.
b) Case reports and epidemiological studies (case-control and cohort studies) have demonstrated an association between the use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding. Based on data from published observational studies, exposure to SSRIs such as milnacipran, particularly in the month before delivery, has been associated with a less than 2-fold increase in the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Bleeding events related to SSRIs and SNRIs have ranged from ecchymosis, hematoma, epistaxis, and petechiae to life-threatening hemorrhages 4.
Common questions
Can I take Flurbiprofen and Sibutramine together?
An increased risk of bleeding Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Flurbiprofen and Sibutramine 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 "established". Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Flurbiprofen or Sibutramine 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 (4)
- Product Information: COMBOGESIC(R) oral tablets, acetaminophen ibuprofen oral tablets. AFT Pharmaceuticals Inc (per FDA), Highland, MD, 2023. DailyMed
- Shin JY, Park MJ, Lee SH, et al: Risk of intracranial haemorrhage in antidepressant users with concurrent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: nationwide propensity score matched study. BMJ 2015; 351:h3517. PubMed
- Product Information: PRISTIQ(R) oral extended-release tablets, desvenlafaxine oral extended-release tablets. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc (per FDA), Philadelphia, PA, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: SAVELLA(R) oral tablets, milnacipran HCl oral tablets. Allergan USA Inc. (per FDA), Madison, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
Keep reading about Sibutramine
Keep reading about Flurbiprofen
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Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
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