What medicines, herbal products and homeopathic medicine interfere with platelet function or clotting?

Some medicines, herbal products, homeopathic medicines and dietary supplements can interfere with platelet function or clotting and may delay healing.

If you have a bleeding disorder, talk to your haemophilia centre before taking:

  • Medicines containing Aspirin
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sometimes they are called ‘topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs’ or ‘topical anti-inflammatories’. They contain anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, felbinac, ketoprofen, piroxicam or naproxen etc and come in various brand names.
  • Pain relief gels containing NSAIDs e.g. voltarol, ibuprofen, ibuleve, nurofen, deep relief and deep heat
  • Analgesic creams, rubs, and sprays containing NSAIDs.
  • Blood thinners such as warfarin and heparin.
  • Other medicines that claim to treat bleeding, bruising or improve clotting.

Homeopathic Medicines and Other Dietary Supplements

While every effort has been made to include as many homeopathic medicines and dietary supplements as possible, some may be missing. Medicines and supplements that affect platelet function or clotting include

  • Arnica Montana
  • Capsules of fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids. (Eating fish as part of your diet should not cause a problem.)
  • Vitamin E
  • Chondroitin and Glucosamine
  • Evening primrose oil
  • St. John’s Wort

Herbal Supplements and Herbal Extracts

While every effort has been made to include as many herbal drugs as possible, some may be missing. Herbal products that affect platelet function or clotting include

  • Baical Skullcap Root (Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi)
  • Black Cohosh
  • Bromelain
  • Cat’s Claw
  • Chinese Agrimony (Agrimonia Pilosa)
  • Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
  • Feverfew
  • Flax seed
  • Garlic Capsules
  • Ginger (not dried ginger)
  • Ginkgo Biloba
  • Ginseng (Asian)
  • Red Chili Pepper (Capsaicin)
  • Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens)
  • Willow Bark

Medicine when you have a cold

Many medicines sold for colds have ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen in them, which you should not take if you have a bleeding disorder. Paracetamol and codeine preparations do not interfere with blood clotting and are therefore suitable to use.

If you are uncertain about whether any medication may affect platelet function or clotting, check with your haemophilia centre before taking it. You can also ask your local pharmacist for advice if you are unsure about what medication contains NSAIDs.