These work by preventing or undoing coagulation, which is how your body starts to make clots. Different anticoagulants work at different parts of the coagulation process. For instance, some anticoagulants do this by competing with vitamin K, which your body needs to make proteins called clotting factors.
More Alcohol Means More Risk
In addition, about one-third of all hospital patients receive some form of anticoagulant medication. Both anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs are used to prevent a blood clot from forming. Always discuss any supplements you’re taking or considering with your healthcare provider, as they can interfere with other medications. Supplements should never be taken as a replacement for a prescribed blood-thinning medication.
Anticoagulants
Although alcohol thins the blood, long-term use can have a different effect. When a person drinks excessively for long periods, their risk for a stroke increases. People should speak with a healthcare professional about consuming alcohol and taking blood-thinning medications safely. A person should also speak with a doctor or access online support if they have concerns that they or someone they know may have AUD.
How can I take blood thinners safely?
This is doubly dangerous, as you are more likely to have an injury while intoxicated and are at higher risk for severe bleeding. Coumadin is one of the most commonly used blood thinners in the U.S., but it carries a 3% to 6% risk of major bleeding. Alcohol should blood thinners and alcohol be avoided when taking Coumadin, as it is one of the most serious risk factors for complications with this medication. It’s best to avoid alcohol while you are taking blood thinners. But if you do drink, don’t have more than one to two drinks at a time.
And that can lead to some serious stuff, like stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism. Activated platelets attract other platelets, and they stick to each other to plug up the wound and stop the bleeding. Some people may need blood thinners for a few months, while others may require lifelong therapy. A doctor will determine the appropriate length of time based on an individual basis.
- This isn’t usually a major concern unless they’re extensive or the discoloration seems extreme.
- New devices like the Apple Watch and Fitbit have apps that can check your heartbeat and rhythm for atrial fibrillation, which can be a sign of blood clotting.
- The drug is available in strengths of 2.5 milligrams (mg) and 5 mg.
- Yet there are other, less risky ways to protect your arteries — for example, by eating a plant-based diet and exercising.
Talk to your doctor about your health history and what makes the most sense for you. Wear a medical-alert bracelet, available in some pharmacies and online, or carry a card in your wallet that states the name of your blood thinner, the Cleveland Clinic advises. “The main side effect of a blood thinner, not surprisingly, is bleeding,” says Christopher B. Granger, MD, a cardiologist at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina. And while these drugs save lives, they can also cause side effects, from bruising to unwanted bleeding, notes the NBCA.
A pillbox with a slot for each day may help you keep track of your medicines. Anticoagulants can protect individuals who have a condition or disease that could cause them to have any of the above clot-related events. A common question many people ask is can Xarelto and alcohol be used together? Have you just picked up your Eliquis medication from the drug store?
Side Effects
- And do not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor recommends it.
- This can cause the medication to stay active for longer and have a greater effect than it should.
- While some alcohol may be safe, specific situations should be discussed with a doctor.
- Following is a list of some common medicines that you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about before using.
- It’s not known whether it’s safe for people with an artificial heart valve to take Eliquis.
