Drug & supplement interaction

Danshen + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide brand name: Ascriptin.

Major Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Major

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide falls into 2 drug categories that Danshen can interact with; the most serious is rated major. Theoretically, danshen may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityMajor
LikelihoodProbable
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Danshen and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Danshen interacts with whole categories of medication. Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Danshen in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Major).

Major

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

1 of 2

Why this applies to Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS — the group Danshen interacts with.

Theoretically, danshen may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Danshen has been reported to have antithrombotic effects. Animal research also suggests that taking a danshen combination formula with clopidogrel exhibits a synergistic increase in antiplatelet aggregation and prolongation of coagulation time when compared with either taken alone.
Severity Major Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

The product you're asking about (Ascriptin) combines aspirin with two antacids. The piece that matters here is the aspirin, which is an antiplatelet drug. It works by making your platelets less sticky so they don't clump and form clots as easily. Danshen appears to do something similar, thinning the blood and slowing clotting. Stacking the two together could push that effect too far.

What that might look like in real life: easier bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, dark or bloody stools, or cuts that take longer to stop. Keep in mind this warning is mostly theoretical and based on animal and anecdotal reports, not strong human trials, so don't panic. Still, because bleeding can be serious, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000;57:1221-7. DOI
  2. Yin QS, Chen L, Mi RH, Ai H, Yin JJ, Liu XJ, Wei XD. Efficacy and safety of danshen compound tablets in preventing thalidomide-associated thromboembolism in patients with multiple myeloma: a multicenter retrospective study. Med Sci Monit. 2016 Oct 20;22:3 PubMed
  3. Zheng D, Zhang W, Hou M, et al. Evaluation of herb-drug interactions between compound Danshen dripping pills and clopidogrel based on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in rats. Biomed Chromatogr. 2023;37(9):e5684. PubMed
Moderate

ASPIRIN

2 of 2

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide also falls under ASPIRIN.

Theoretically, danshen may increase the levels of aspirin and the risk of bleeding.
Research in healthy adult males shows that taking a combination of danshen and kudzu with aspirin increases plasma aspirin area under the curve by approximately 3.4-fold. Animal research also shows that taking a combination of danshen and kudzu (danshen-gegen formula) with aspirin increases maximal blood levels of aspirin and salicylic acid by approximately 4-fold and 3.7-fold, respectively, without impacting blood loss. Taking danshen increases the antiplatelet activity of aspirin and might increase the side effects of aspirin.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

This product (sold as Ascriptin) is plain aspirin buffered with antacids, so the part that matters here is the aspirin. Danshen seems to do two things when paired with aspirin: it can push aspirin blood levels higher, and it has its own mild blood-thinning effect. In one small study in healthy men, a danshen and kudzu combo raised aspirin exposure by roughly three to four times.

Put together, that means a stronger aspirin effect than you bargained for. The practical worry is bleeding: easy bruising, nosebleeds, stomach upset or stomach bleeding, and bleeding that is slow to stop. Much of this is theoretical or based on small and animal studies, so don't panic, but please don't start danshen with your aspirin without checking with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Zhou L, Wang S, Zhang Z, Lau BS, Fung KP, Leung PC, Zuo Z. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction of Danshen-Gegen extract with warfarin and aspirin. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Sep 28;143(2):648-55. PubMed
  2. Zhang Y, Yang M, Ho NJ, et al. Is it safe to take Radix Salvia Miltiorrhiza - Radix Pueraria Lobate product with warfarin and aspirin? A pilot study in healthy human subjects. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Nov 15;262:113151. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Danshen Also Interacts With Other Medications

Danshen has 122 major, 936 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 122 Moderate 936 No known interaction 1,772 (incl. Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Danshen

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Danshen. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Danshen or Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Danshen or Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide

This page covers Danshen only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide page lists 255 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Piracetam (major) and Siberian Cocklebur (major).

By severity: 7 major · 211 moderate · 37 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide page

“Ascriptin combines aspirin with two antacids, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, and the aspirin part already thins the blood on its own. That is why more than 200 of the 255 ingredients listed here can raise bleeding risk, and why this page deserves a careful read rather than a quick skim.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Danshen as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 18 real supplement products containing Danshen, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Danshen. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide too, on top of Danshen — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Danshen and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Danshen
Top half

#508 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide
Top 5%

#76 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Danshen

What is Danshen?

Danshen
  • Heart and circulation support
  • Angina (chest pain)
  • High blood pressure
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Liver health

Danshen is a root used in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly for heart and circulation problems. Some early research is promising, but the evidence is not strong enough to confirm it works for any condition, and it may affect blood clotting. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition.

Read the full Danshen monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Aspirin

What Is Aspirin Used For?

Brand name: Ascriptin

Aspirin is used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains from headaches, backaches, muscle aches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, the common cold, and minor arthritis pain. It also temporarily reduces fever.

Some coated aspirin tablet products note that, under a doctor's supervision, aspirin can help prevent another heart attack or stroke in adults who have already had one. Because of their delayed-release design, those coated products will not give fast relief for headaches or other symptoms needing quick relief.

See full Aspirin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Danshen

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Danshen — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

122Major
936Moderate
0Minor
1,771No known interaction
122 Major 936 Moderate 1,771 No interaction
Major

122 interactions

Showing 60 of 122 major interactions — see all 122 on the Danshen page.

Moderate

936 interactions

Showing 60 of 936 moderate interactions — see all 936 on the Danshen page.

No interaction 1,771 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Danshen against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,771 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Danshen list.

See the full Danshen interactions page
See every supplement checked against Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Danshen monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide, ranked by severity Aspirin drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Danshen and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Danshen with Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide?
This is rated a major interaction, so the combination is best avoided unless your doctor or pharmacist has specifically told you otherwise. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Danshen and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide?
Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide belongs to more than one drug category, and Danshen interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Danshen and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interaction?
We rate it Major. This is a clinically significant combination that is generally best avoided, or used only under the direct supervision of your physician or pharmacist.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide and Danshen?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.