Eliquis (apixaban) is a blood thinner medication. It may interact with certain foods and medications to lower the effectiveness of Eliquis. This can cause you to bleed more than you normally would. Your healthcare provider will likely discuss what foods should be avoided while taking Eliquis during your next appointment.
It Is Very Important to Be Aware Of Any Food You May Consume
Foods that are high in calcium, iron and magnesium should be avoided, as they can reduce the effectiveness of Eliquis. For example, dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt) contain a lot of calcium, which can affect the absorption of Eliquis into your bloodstream. Iron-rich foods include red meat, eggs and iron supplements. Magnesium-rich foods include green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach), nuts (e.g., almonds) and legumes (e.g., beans).
- Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages should be avoided because they can increase bleeding risk. Alcohol may cause stomach irritation and damage your liver, which can lead to certain complications like bleeding. Alcohol increases your risk of having a stroke, heart attack or heart failure.
- Aspirin
Aspirin is an NSAID that decreases platelet aggregation and causes bleeding. It is not recommended that you take aspirin while on Eliquis because it may increase your risk of bleeding. If you need to take aspirin for pain relief, ask your doctor how long it will take before you can resume taking Eliquis again without any risk of increased bleeding risk.
- Grapefruit juice
Grapefruit juice contains flavonoids that have been shown to increase the effects of Eliquis and other blood thinners when taken together in large amounts. This interaction can cause serious side effects such as bruising or bleeding inside the body (intracranial hemorrhage).
Alcohol Is a Category To Avoid While On Eliquis.
The list of foods to avoid while on Eliquis is not a long one, but it’s important to know what you should avoid. Alcohol is a category to avoid while on Eliquis. Alcohol increases the risk of bleeding, even when the drug is taken as prescribed and only at low doses.
One drink is considered 1.5 ounces of liquor or 6 ounces of wine. So, if you are taking Eliquis for atrial fibrillation, heart failure or venous thromboembolism, you should cut back on any alcohol consumption.
Other foods to avoid include:
- peanuts and other nuts
- garlic and onions
- Alcohol is a category to avoid while on Eliquis, as it can increase your risk of bleeding and make you dizzy.
- See the full list of foods and drinks to avoid while taking Eliquis below:
- Alcohol
- Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
- Grapefruit juice
- Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits
- Coffee, tea, green tea
Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice Are Not Recommended While Taking Eliquis.
Eliquis (apixaban) is a blood thinner that is used to treat venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and post-surgery VTE prevention. The drug is also used to prevent stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).
Eliquis works by inhibiting the activity of clotting factors, which helps prevent the formation of clots in your blood.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice are not recommended while taking Eliquis. Grapefruit can interfere with your body’s ability to process medications, making them more potent and often leading to side effects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory about this interaction between grapefruit juice and Eliquis back in 2016. It states that consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medication increases your risk for bleeding problems, including bleeding from the stomach or intestines, bleeding inside your brain or other parts of your body, and excessive bleeding during surgery.
Caffeine Can Prolong Bleeding Time, So It Should Be Avoided When Taking Eliquis.
Eliquis (apixaban, Bristol-Myers Squibb) is a new anticoagulant that works by inhibiting the enzyme (protein) in the body called factor Xa. This enzyme is involved in the formation of blood clots.
Eliquis has been approved for use in patients with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Caffeine can prolong bleeding time, so it should be avoided when taking Eliquis. Other foods that can have an impact on bleeding time include grapefruit juice, curry spices, vitamin K supplements and green tea.
In addition to these foods, there are some other medications that may interact with Eliquis and affect your bleeding risk:
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Aspirin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve)
- Antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide.
Foods High in Vitamin K Should Be Avoided As Well As Higher Dosages Of Vitamin K Supplements.
Eliquis is a blood thinner that blocks vitamin K, which is necessary for normal blood clotting. The drug is used to prevent stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Foods high in Vitamin K should be avoided as well as higher dosages of Vitamin K supplements. Foods that are higher in Vitamin K include:
- Kale – 1 cup (67 grams) has 2,251 micrograms of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone).
- Spinach – 1 cup (134 grams) has 548 micrograms of vitamin K1.
- Collard greens – 1 cup (226 grams) has 936 micrograms of vitamin K1.
Conclusion
Eliquis is designed to reduce your risk of clotting, but certain foods and medications can interfere with its efficacy. To ensure the safety of this drug, it is important to understand what should be avoided while taking Eliquis.
