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NSAID-Aspirin Interaction — NDEB AFK MCQ

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HardPharmacologyNSAID-Aspirin InteractionNDEB AFK

Which drug interaction is most clinically significant when a dentist prescribes ibuprofen to a patient taking low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular prophylaxis?

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Correct answer: A — Ibuprofen may competitively inhibit aspirin's irreversible binding to COX-1, reducing its cardioprotective effect

Ibuprofen competitively and reversibly binds to the same active site on COX-1 as aspirin. If ibuprofen is taken before or simultaneously with aspirin, it may block aspirin's access to the COX-1 active site, preventing aspirin's irreversible acetylation of COX-1 and reducing its antiplatelet (cardioprotective) effect. The FDA recommends that patients on low-dose aspirin take ibuprofen at least 30 minutes after or 8 hours before aspirin.

Reference: CDA – Drug Interactions in Dental Practice; FDA Advisory on Ibuprofen-Aspirin Interaction