Medication bruising checker
By Margaret Hale, Reunoa EditorialLast updated
The short answer
Medicines that commonly increase bruising include anticoagulants (Eliquis, Xarelto, warfarin), antiplatelets (aspirin, Plavix), NSAID pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen), steroids (tablets, inhalers, strong creams) and SSRI/SNRI antidepressants; some supplements may add a little. Bruising on these is often expected. Never stop a prescribed medicine — bring your list to your doctor or pharmacist.
Tick what you take for a plain-English summary with links. Nothing is stored or sent — it runs entirely in your browser.
Medicines that can increase bruising
| Medicine group | Examples | Why bruising increases | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants | Apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran, edoxaban | Slow clot formation | [1] |
| Vitamin K antagonist | Warfarin | Blocks vitamin K-dependent clotting factors; INR-dependent | [2] |
| Antiplatelets | Clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor, prasugrel | Platelets can't clump | [3] |
| Aspirin | Low-dose daily aspirin | Platelets less sticky for their lifespan | [4] |
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, naproxen | Temporary platelet effect; bleeding risk | [5] |
| Steroid tablets | Prednisone, prednisolone | Thin, fragile skin; slow healing | [6] |
| Inhaled steroids | Fluticasone, budesonide | Easy bruising 11.2% vs 3.5% placebo in a COPD trial | [7] |
| Topical steroids | Potent creams, long-term | Skin thinning where applied | [8] |
| SSRIs/SNRIs | Sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine | Affect platelet serotonin | — |
| Supplements | Fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo | Possible small effect; fish oil at usual doses didn't raise bleeding in a large meta-analysis | [9] |
This list isn't complete. Your pharmacist can check everything you take.
What to do with your results
- Don't stop or change anything yourself. Blood thinners and steroids can be dangerous to stop suddenly.
- Write down your list, including over-the-counter pain relievers and supplements.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist: "Are all of these still needed? Do any of them add up?"
- Protect your skin meanwhile: moisturize, long sleeves, padding. See how to stop bruising on blood thinners.
Combinations matter most
Bruising rises most when two or more bleeding-affecting medicines are combined — for example, an anticoagulant plus aspirin, or clopidogrel plus an NSAID. Some combinations are deliberate and time-limited (after a stent). Others happen by accident, like adding ibuprofen for back pain. That's what a medication review catches.
Frequently asked questions
Which medications cause easy bruising?
Blood thinners, antiplatelets including aspirin, NSAIDs, steroids (tablets, inhalers, creams) and SSRI/SNRI antidepressants are the most common. Some supplements may add a little.
Should I stop a medicine that causes bruising?
No — not without your doctor. Bruising is often an expected effect, and stopping some medicines can be dangerous.
Can supplements cause bruising?
Some may add a small effect, such as high-dose fish oil, vitamin E or ginkgo. Large trials found fish oil at usual doses didn't meaningfully raise bleeding.
Is this checker private?
Yes. It runs in your browser; nothing you tick is stored or sent.
Sources
- Apixaban — Drug Information — MedlinePlus.
- Warfarin — Drug Information — MedlinePlus.
- Clopidogrel — Drug Information — MedlinePlus.
- Aspirin — Drug Information — MedlinePlus.
- Ibuprofen — Drug Information — MedlinePlus.
- Prednisone — Drug Information — MedlinePlus.
- Tashkin DP, et al. Skin manifestations of inhaled corticosteroids in COPD patients: results from Lung Health Study II. Chest, 2004. PubMed 15486373
- Topical steroids (corticosteroid creams) — DermNet.
- Javaid M, et al. Bleeding Risk in Patients Receiving Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Journal of the American Heart Association, 2024. PubMed 38742535
- Bleeding into the skin — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
General information, not medical advice. Written by the Reunoa editorial team; Reunoa makes Bruise Defense & Repair Serum. See our editorial policy for how we pick sources and keep product mentions fair.