Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen have long been used to reduce inflammation and pain associated with a wide range of conditions, including arthritis. However, one has to use ibuprofen cautiously when put on a regular dosage of prescription aspirin. A daily dose of aspirin is recommended for people who have a history of heart attack(s) or stroke(s). Aspirin is a blood thinner that prevents the formation of blood clots. However, when there is a need to take both ibuprofen and aspirin, should these medications be taken at the same time? The following Buzzle article discusses the flip side of taking ibuprofen and aspirin together. Absolutely not! Taking these medications at the same time does not make any sense. Aspirin primarily acts as an anticlotting agent, but in the presence of ibuprofen, the efficacy of aspirin reduces drastically. To put it simply, ibuprofen minimizes the anticlotting capacities of aspirin, making it less effective in preventing coronary failures. The working mechanism of aspirin is dismantled when it is taken along with ibuprofen. That is why doctors warn against taking these two medications at the same time. Results of Scientific Studies A recent study reported in The Lancet medical journal monitored the health of over 7,000 people suffering from cardiovascular ailments. The patients residing in England were put on a daily dose of varying concentrations of aspirin (less than 325 mg). Some of these patients were also taking an ibuprofen dose of around 1,200 mg daily. After keeping a track of their health for years, researchers observed that patients taking a combined dose of aspirin and ibuprofen were twice likely to die of heart ailments than their counterparts who were taking aspirin therapy as a standalone treatment. The result of the study clearly suggests that the efficacy of aspirin reduces when it is taken with ibuprofen at the same time. There is no doubt that the ability of aspirin to ensure the proper functioning of the heart becomes feeble when it is ingested along with ibuprofen. Thus, aspirin therapy is not good for the heart when combined with ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is known to addle with the systems of people taking a dose of aspirin that is lesser than 325 mg per day. Increasing the dosage of aspirin in an attempt to minimize the interference of ibuprofen is not advised as taking higher dosages of aspirin daily makes you vulnerable to some serious side effects. Moreover, the side effects of taking these taking these medications together are manifold. This is because both aspirin and ibuprofen are potent enough to cause side effects like ulceration and bleeding in the stomach and the intestine. So, when these medicines are taken simultaneously on a regular basis, serious health concerns are likely to occur. In other words, side effects may be amplified when aspirin is combined with ibuprofen. Spacing Out the Medications In cases where you have to take these medications on the same days, keeping a substantial time gap between the intake of ibuprofen and aspirin is recommended. Ibuprofen does not neutralize the actions of aspirin if the medications are spaced out evenly during the day. So, once you take your ibuprofen, wait for at least 8 hours before you take aspirin. Or else, take aspirin half an hour before the oral administration of ibuprofen. Once in a while, taking a dose of ibuprofen and aspirin together is not a cause for a great amount of concern. However, doctors warn against taking these medicines at the same time on a regular basis as the risk of ibuprofen inhibiting the action of aspirin increases substantially. On the whole, if you are taking aspirin to prevent blood clots and also find it necessary to use ibuprofen, seek the help of a medical practitioner in order to adjust the timing of the NSAID dosage in such a way that it does not hinder the action of aspirin. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.