Platelet-Rich Plasma and NSAIDs: What You Need to Know

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a powerful healing tool that doctors use to speed up recovery. It's made from a patient's own blood and packed with good stuff like platelets, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory chemicals. Some painkillers, called NSAIDs, can mess with how well PRP works. They block a key enzyme called COX-1, which helps blood clot. This review looked at how long different NSAIDs keep PRP from working its best. Naproxen, for example, can stop platelets from clumping together for at least a day, maybe even two. Indomethacin, on the other hand, seems to let things go back to normal after a day. Ibuprofen and diclofenac take about 6-12 hours to get out of the way, depending on how much you take. Acetaminophen, though, doesn't cause any problems, so you don't need to stop taking it before PRP. The bottom line is, if you're taking NSAIDs, you might need to wait before getting PRP. This review helps figure out how long you should wait for each type of NSAID. That way, doctors can make clear rules about when to stop taking these painkillers before a PRP injection.