[Nutty]

I read a few posts about anti-inflammatory creams lately. I don't think I've heard of any before. Are they by prescription only? I'm wondering because I can't take anti-inflammatories because I'm on coumadin (warfrin), but maybe I could try the creams.

If they are over the counter...is there a brand name I should look for?

Thanks.

Annette

 

[Zoi]

Hey Annette,

Traditional NSAIDs do interact with coumadin and seriously increase the risk of severe bleeding, but the newer Cox2-Inhibitors like Celebrex are proving to be much safer for people on blood thinners. Having said that, if one is one coumadin or any other blood thinning med and starts treatment with a cox2-inhibitor med it is very possible that their coumadin dose will need to be adjusted and their INR monitored very carefully for a few days until it's certain that it is stable and not too high. Of course any change in one's medication regime needs to be discussed with one's doctors first!

Here's a couple of links on Cox2-Inhibitors and Coumadin:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=16408

http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/hcf/vdp/Criteria/COX2Inhib.html

As far as I know, anti-inflammatory creams are safe and there is no interaction between them and blood thinners. If you do decide to buy one though, it might be a good idea to run it by your rheumatology nurse or GP before you actually buy it just to be sure!

:flowery:

Zoi