Aspercream

[Joe Cool]

Are topical ointments containing salicylate or aspirin OK to use for muscle pain, etc. without affecting INR too much?

 

[geebee]

Unfortunately aspirin and aspirin-like products do not show up in the INR so you cannot keep track of them in that manner. However, they can cause bleeding when combined with coumadin. In small amounts it is usually not an issue (many of us take a baby aspirin each day) but larger amounts can be dangerous.

I do not believe it is known how much salicylate is absorbed into the bloodstream while using products such as Aspercreme so using such products is not recommended while on coumadin.