Blood Thinners and Alcohol: Are They Safe to Use Together?

One of the functions of your liver is to break down alcohol and some medications. If your liver is busy working hard removing the alcohol instead of your blood thinner, the level of the drug in your blood will go up and raise your bleeding risk. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, professional treatment at a licensed rehab facility can help. The Recovery Village Ridgefield is a premier addiction treatment center in Ridgefield, Washington, that offers detox, inpatient and outpatient programs for alcohol use disorders.

They can include ingredients such as alcohol and foods or herbs like garlic, ginger, celery seed and anise seed. Speak with your doctor before adding any natural blood thinners to your daily regimen. People with triple-positive APS may have an increased risk of blood clots from Eliquis.

Medicine side-effects and complications

These help blood cells and platelets (tiny pieces of blood cells) bind together. The warning includes risks such as epidural or spinal hematoma (which could result in paralysis). It recommends not stopping Eliquis before completing therapy, and avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs, other blood thinners, and platelet inhibitors blood thinners and alcohol to decrease risk. However, people who binge drink or drink excessively every day are at increased risk of complications because both drugs have a similar clotting outcome. Combine alcohol use and anticoagulants and there is an increased risk of bleeding. Abusing alcohol while on medication extends beyond blood thinners.

  • Even though moderation is an effective way to ensure that the heart is in good condition, complete abstinence is usually the best option.
  • Having the restraint to consume only moderate amounts of alcohol may be challenging for some individuals.
  • That’s a dangerous type of blood clot that often forms in the leg.
  • According to research, having one or two drinks infrequently is considered safe.
  • It was concluded that caffeine has the capacity to inhibit the metabolism of warfarin and enhance its plasma concentration and hence anticoagulant effects.
  • Heavy alcohol use should be avoided, and you should confirm that it is OK to combine Xarelto and alcohol with your physician before doing so.

Having certain medical conditions may increase the risk of side effects from taking Eliquis. For more information, see the “Warnings for Eliquis” section below. Other medications, food and alcohol can change the way blood thinners work, and a blood thinner can change the way other medications work. For example, foods that are high in vitamin K can work against warfarin, but not other blood thinners. This is because alcohol can interact with any one of these medications.

What Are the Effects of Drinking Alcohol on the Blood?

You can eat citrus fruits and juices, including tangerines, oranges and clementines, without side effects. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

blood thinners and alcohol

However, people should not consume alcohol instead of taking medications as a healthcare professional has prescribed. Additionally, a person should discuss whether they are able to consume alcohol while taking blood thinners, as alcohol may interact with some medications and lead to side effects. Antiplatelets keep platelets from sticking to each other and to the walls of blood vessels, forming clots. They’re often prescribed to people at risk for future blood clots, rather than to treat existing ones. Blood thinners are medicines that help blood flow smoothly through your veins and arteries.