The short answer
Ask your prescriber before adding Salix alba to meclofenamate. Medicinal willow guidance advises medical review with NSAIDs, but the exact added bleeding risk and a protective spacing interval are unknown.
What this answer covers
Oral Salix alba products with oral meclofenamate sodium capsules. Medicinal Salix bark guidance has defined preparation scope; exact species and salicin content must be checked.
- Supplement or preparation
- Salix alba
- Medication ingredient
- meclofenamate
The monograph calls for medical advice
The final European medicinal willow bark monograph advises against combining its covered preparations with salicylates or other NSAIDs without medical advice. oral meclofenamate sodium capsules is an NSAID, so this is a relevant reason for review, while the exact combination’s bleeding risk remains unmeasured.
The species and product still matter
This entry is Salix alba. The monograph names other principal medicinal Salix species, so it cannot by itself authenticate the white-willow product you have. Show the pharmacist the full label rather than assuming all willow products are interchangeable or equivalent to aspirin.
Consider your stomach and bleeding history
The willow monograph contraindicates use with active peptic ulcer and NSAID hypersensitivity. The prescription medicine also carries GI warnings. Tell your clinician about past ulcers, bleeding, aspirin reactions and other pain relievers before adding a botanical product for pain.
Do not rely on a few hours of separation
No established spacing interval has been shown to prevent the potential overlapping effects. Ask for a pain-management plan that accounts for the exact preparation and your history. Seek urgent care for vomiting blood or black, tarry stools, and report persistent stomach discomfort promptly.
Evidence and practical considerations
Side effects & toxicity
An exact increase in bleeding or GI injury from Salix alba with meclofenamate has not been measured.
- Exact scope
- Oral Salix alba products with oral meclofenamate sodium capsules. Medicinal Salix bark guidance has defined preparation scope; exact species and salicin content must be checked. with Exact meclofenamate RxCUI 588003 IN; current RxNorm links precise ingredient meclofenamate sodium PIN 6677. Label capsules contain meclofenamic acid-equivalent doses as the sodium salt monohydrate and measure circulating meclofenamic acid. Evidence is explicitly limited to this oral sodium-salt product, not unrelated salts or mefenamic acid.
- Medication form and route
- Oral
What remains uncertain
- Regulatory NSAID co-use warning is precautionary. Salix alba is not specifically authenticated by the principal listed species in the monograph.
Factors that may matter: Exact preparation and dose; Fasting versus fed dosing; Bleeding and ulcer history; Other medicines.
Read the supporting source summaries
Source 1: Current prescribing information
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: Prescription oral oral meclofenamate sodium capsules users; short human pharmacology studies where described.
One-week volunteer study showed little or no platelet aggregation or bleeding-time effect, unlike aspirin. Fecal blood loss was dose-related in isotope studies. Serious GI bleeding and ulcer warnings remain. Aluminum/magnesium antacids did not interfere with absorption.
How this applies: Exact current product label. Exact meclofenamate RxCUI 588003 IN; current RxNorm links precise ingredient meclofenamate sodium PIN 6677. Label capsules contain meclofenamic acid-equivalent doses as the sodium salt monohydrate and measure circulating meclofenamic acid. Evidence is explicitly limited to this oral sodium-salt product, not unrelated salts or mefenamic acid.
Short volunteer findings do not exclude clinical GI bleeding. Exact IN-to-sodium-PIN bridge is documented; no mefenamic acid or universal NSAID equivalence.
Source 2: Final regulatory herbal monograph
ema.europa.eu · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: Users of defined Salix bark preparations.
Advises against concomitant salicylates or other NSAIDs without medical advice; active ulcer and NSAID hypersensitivity are contraindications.
How this applies: Precaution for medicinal willow products; exact S. alba applicability remains limited by botanical identification.
No exact pair bleeding estimate. Defined medicinal species/preparations cannot authenticate unspecified products. Salix alba is not specifically named among the principal listed species.
Source 3: Medication terminology
rxnav.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: Terminology.
meclofenamate is IN. Related PIN 6677 is meclofenamate sodium.
How this applies: Exact identity.
Not clinical evidence.
Research assessment: · Open full citations ↗
Side effects & toxicity
Medicinal willow bark should not be added to an NSAID without medical advice.
- Exact scope
- Oral Salix alba products with oral meclofenamate sodium capsules. Medicinal Salix bark guidance has defined preparation scope; exact species and salicin content must be checked. with Exact meclofenamate RxCUI 588003 IN; current RxNorm links precise ingredient meclofenamate sodium PIN 6677. Label capsules contain meclofenamic acid-equivalent doses as the sodium salt monohydrate and measure circulating meclofenamic acid. Evidence is explicitly limited to this oral sodium-salt product, not unrelated salts or mefenamic acid.
- Medication form and route
- Oral
What remains uncertain
- Supported for defined medicinal willow products; not a measured exact-species combination risk, universal salicin dose or validated timing solution.
Factors that may matter: Exact preparation and dose; Fasting versus fed dosing; Bleeding and ulcer history; Other medicines.
Read the supporting source summaries
Source 1: Current prescribing information
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: Prescription oral oral meclofenamate sodium capsules users; short human pharmacology studies where described.
One-week volunteer study showed little or no platelet aggregation or bleeding-time effect, unlike aspirin. Fecal blood loss was dose-related in isotope studies. Serious GI bleeding and ulcer warnings remain. Aluminum/magnesium antacids did not interfere with absorption.
How this applies: Exact current product label. Exact meclofenamate RxCUI 588003 IN; current RxNorm links precise ingredient meclofenamate sodium PIN 6677. Label capsules contain meclofenamic acid-equivalent doses as the sodium salt monohydrate and measure circulating meclofenamic acid. Evidence is explicitly limited to this oral sodium-salt product, not unrelated salts or mefenamic acid.
Short volunteer findings do not exclude clinical GI bleeding. Exact IN-to-sodium-PIN bridge is documented; no mefenamic acid or universal NSAID equivalence.
Source 2: Final regulatory herbal monograph
ema.europa.eu · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: Users of defined Salix bark preparations.
Advises against concomitant salicylates or other NSAIDs without medical advice; active ulcer and NSAID hypersensitivity are contraindications.
How this applies: Precaution for medicinal willow products; exact S. alba applicability remains limited by botanical identification.
No exact pair bleeding estimate. Defined medicinal species/preparations cannot authenticate unspecified products. Salix alba is not specifically named among the principal listed species.
Research assessment: · Open full citations ↗
Review and change history
- Publication status
- Published research summary
- Clinical review
- Not yet recorded
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| Article prepared | |
| Sources checked and article drafted. | |
| Research summary published |
Article revision: 3068f6feaa0ab3fe
This guide brings together the evidence records used by our interaction checker. Each finding retains its own preparation limits, research date, and source summaries.
Full citations require verification. Reading this answer and the source summaries does not.
Taking other supplements or medications?
Use the checker to explore your other combinations. Ask a pharmacist to review the exact products, amounts and medical conditions in your complete list.
Open the interaction checkerInformation, not medical advice. Do not change prescribed treatment based on this guide.