Interference of NSAIDs with the thrombocyte inhibitory effect of aspirin: A placebo-controlled, ex vivo, serial placebo-controlled serial crossover study

Purpose Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are often prescribed concurrently in patients with nociceptive pain and cardiovascular comorbidity. NSAIDs and ASA inhibit the same COX-enzymes, and thus may interact. ASA’s cardioprotective antiplatelet effect is entirely COX-1 dependent. NSAIDs can be either non-COX-1 and COX-2 selective or COX-2 selective. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction between ASA and different selective and nonselective NSAIDs on thrombocyte function. Methods Single-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled, ex vivo, serial crossover trial of 3-day cycles separated by washout periods of at least 12 days in 30 healthy volunteers, evaluating interaction on ASA’s antithrombocyte effect by naproxen, ibuprofen, meloxicam, or etoricoxib taken 2 h before ASA. Ex vivo thrombocyte function, closure time (CT) in seconds, was measured using the Platelet Function Analyzer 100 (PFA-100). CT prolongation during a cycle reflects thrombocyte inhibitory effect. ASA nonresponse was defined as CT prolongation