Take prescription and over-the-counter medications with caution when you’re using blood thinners. Many medications can increase your chance of bleeding excessively if you take them with blood thinning medications. Blood thinners may be taken via mouth, vein, or skin to prevent blood clots, which might cause a heart attack or stroke. But, they may have serious side effects, especially if taken with other medications. They protect you from bleeding too much if you’re injured or have surgery. Pregnancy, cancer and estrogen therapy can also put you at a greater risk of forming a clot.
Should You Drink Alcohol While Taking Blood Thinners?
For a list of foods that contain vitamin K, go to and search for vitamin K. Call your doctor and go to the hospital immediately if you have had a fall or hit your head, even if you are not bleeding. For example, if you fall and hit your head, bleeding can occur inside your skull. Or, if you hurt your arm during a fall and then notice a large purple bruise, this means you are bleeding under your skin.
- Their use must be carefully monitored to ensure that the blood does not become too thin.
- They’ll likely recommend a medication other than Eliquis for your condition.
- Your doctor may tell you to limit your participation in contact sports to reduce the chance of bleeding.
Possible Side Effects
They can also cause an upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea. “If you’re on some blood thinners, studies show you should also stay clear of cranberry, grapefruit blood thinners and alcohol and pomegranate fruits and juices,” advises Dr. Bishop. If you’re taking warfarin, you don’t have to give up foods higher in vitamin K completely.
Does wine affect blood thinners?
However, they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the concentration of active compounds in supplements is not consistent. Mixing alcohol and Brilinta could lead to increased dizziness. Someone using alcohol while taking Brilinta should speak with their doctor about the risks that are specific to their situation. The effects of Xarelto can be affected by alcohol, and those taking the medication should limit the amount of alcohol used. While some alcohol may be safe, specific situations should be discussed with a doctor. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart rhythm problems.
Blood thinners may interact with certain foods, medicines, vitamins, and alcohol. Make sure that your health care provider knows all of the medicines and supplements you are using. But you may be able to prevent blood clots in the first place by eating a healthy diet including foods with vitamin K. You may have a higher chance of getting clots in the veins in your legs after a hip or knee replacement. This is called deep vein thrombosis, which can cause a pulmonary embolism, which is when a blood clot breaks off your blood vessel and travels to your lungs, where it gets stuck. But anticoagulants can help prevent deep vein thrombosis after surgery.
- Read more about things to consider when taking anticoagulants.
- They’re sometimes called «blood-thinning» medicines, although they don’t actually make the blood thinner.
- However, people should not consume alcohol instead of taking medications as a healthcare professional has prescribed.
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This can cause the medication to stay active for longer and have a greater effect than it should. Alcohol can also cause underlying health problems that affect the liver, which plays a vital role in how blood thinners work and how blood clotting occurs. Doctors often prescribe anticoagulants to people who have been diagnosed with some form of heart disease.
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Taking herbal supplements
Can you drink alcohol instead of taking a blood thinner?
