Should I take an aspirin before flying?

Talk to your doctor about wearing compression stockings or taking medicine before departure if you have additional risk factors for blood clots. Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots when traveling is not recommended. If you take aspirin for other reasons, check with your doctor.



While taking a "baby aspirin" (81mg) is a common piece of advice to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) on long-haul flights, you should not do so without consulting your doctor first. Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that can help thin the blood, but it can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding or interact with other medications. Current medical guidelines suggest that for most healthy travelers, the risks of aspirin may outweigh the benefits for DVT prevention. In 2026, doctors recommend more effective and safer methods: stay well-hydrated, wear compression stockings, and perform "seated exercises" like ankle pumps. The most important prevention tactic is to get up and walk the aisle at least once every hour. If you have high-risk factors like a history of blood clots or recent surgery, your doctor might prescribe a more potent anticoagulant rather than over-the-counter aspirin.

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Even if you travel a long distance, the risk of developing a blood clot is generally very small. Your level of risk depends on the duration of travel as well as whether you have any other risks for blood clots.

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Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots when traveling is not recommended. If you take aspirin for other reasons, check with your doctor.

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Flights lasting 8 to 10 hours or longer pose the greatest risk. In some cases, the DVT will dissolve and go away on its own. However, in more serious cases, it can cause pain, swelling, and warmth of the affected leg, or it can break off and travel to the blood vessels of your lungs, causing pulmonary embolism (PE).

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These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

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These include any hormone-based drugs, like the contraceptive pill and some fertility medicines, and drugs used to prevent heart attack and stroke. Antihistamines should also not be used to help passengers sleep during a flight.

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Aspirin and medicines such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may thin the blood. This can decrease blood clotting. Regular use of ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can increase bleeding risks. The medicines, as well as aspirin, also can lead to stomach ulcers.

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Compression socks prevent swelling
Being able to stand up and walk around or stretching is limited on a plane; therefore, promoting blood circulation is necessary. “Compression socks help to increase circulation, thus preventing swelling in your lower legs and feet,” he explains.

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DVT or PE may manifest during or shortly after the flight, but often not for several weeks. Prevention includes choosing aisle seating, maintaining hydration, walking frequently, wearing loose clothing, exercising the lower extremities, using a foot rest, and avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills.

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Take pain medication in your carry-on. If you have mild to moderate pain, an Advil or Tylenol may do the trick. If you take prescription pain medication, you may want to talk to your doctor about whether you will need to take a higher dose or augment your existing medication with another drug while traveling.

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