Pain Relievers and Anticoagulation: What’s the Story?

This month, we welcome Dr. Judith Beizer to discuss how to safely use pain-relieving medication while taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Dr. Beizer is a tenured Clinical Professor at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Queens, NY. She is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist, a past president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP, and is currently on the Board of Directors of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS).

In this webinar, she will…

• Describe the different classes of analgesics (pain relievers)
• Discuss which medications pose a risk to patients on anticoagulants or other blood-thinning medications
• Explain how to safely use acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Discuss the use of topical analgesics for joint and muscle pain

Key Takeaways:

• Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever while taking an anticoagulant – but do not exceed the recommended daily dose!
• Avoid taking oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if you take an anticoagulant
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you can take an occasional dose
• Consider topical pain relivers for muscle or joint pain
• Consult a pharmacist if you have questions about over-the-counter pain relievers