Is it safe to take Ibuprofen with Lexapro?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
Is it safe to take Ibuprofen with Lexapro?
It’s generally not considered safe to take Ibuprofen with Lexapro. There is a possibility of a mild to moderate interaction between the two and there is a risk of some disturbing side effects.
Ibuprofen is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. Lexapro is an antidepressant which belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
This class of antidepressants usually don’t do that well with NSAIDs, especially if taken at the same time.
What are the dangers associated with the use of Ibuprofen and Lexapro together?
There are some health risks when it comes to using Ibuprofen and Lexapro together. These include (1,2):
Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
The concomitant use of Ibuprofen and Lexapro can increase the risk of bleeding. This is because both Ibuprofen and Lexapro can affect the platelet aggregation that is responsible for blood clotting.
This leads to an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. However, this risk is more common in people with an underlying GI disease like ulcers – as Lexapro can generally cause acid reflux and pairing it with Ibuprofen can have a more significant effect on gastrointestinal bleeding.
Possibility of Lexapro malabsorption
A few studies have revealed that Ibuprofen may reduce the absorption of Lexapro, to some extent. Although it is not common in every case, it is an unpredictable possibility.
Experts believe that some factors could make some people more sensitive to this effect.
Gastrointestinal side effects
Another possibility is gastrointestinal side effects. Lexapro, although not associated with severe GI side effects, could affect your stomach and you may experience nausea, diarrhoea, flatulence, abdominal pain, etc. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, can cause a number of GI side effects.
In fact, the entire class of NSAIDs can put you at risk of ulcers as these meds can damage the protective mucosa lining around your stomach. Taking Lexapro and Ibuprofen together can significantly increase the intensity of such side effects.
What would be an alternative to Ibuprofen to take with Lexapro?
If you’re in pain, I would recommend taking Acetaminophen. It is considered the safest painkiller to use with antidepressants. You can take 2 Acetaminophen tablets at one time and can take it 3-4 times a day.
However, if your pain is comorbid with inflammation and Acetaminophen fails to control it, you can take Ibuprofen, but you need to change the timing. Lexapro and Ibuprofen can interact more prominently if taken at the same time.
This is why take them at separate times and don’t take too much Ibuprofen. If you’re concerned about the side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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References
1.-
MedlinePlus. Ibuprofen. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 23]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html
2.-
MedlinePlus. Escitalopram. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 23]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603005.html
