Has your doctor diagnosed you with atrial fibrillation? Or maybe you’ve recently had a hip or knee replacement surgery.
If you nodded yes to either question, your doctor might have prescribed you Eliquis (apixaban). It’s vital to take this medication as directed, as it can help lower your risk of blood clots or stroke.
Just as vital, however, is to know what foods to avoid while on Eliquis. Some foods may interact with it and raise your risk of bleeding.
This guide will tell you what those foods are, so read on.
What Foods to Avoid While on Eliquis
Eliquis belongs to a class of drugs called factor Xa inhibitors. Factor Xa is a vital ingredient in clot formation, according to this Xarelto vs Eliquis comparison guide. So, Eliquis blocks that formation by inhibiting factor Xa.
But for Eliquis to do its job safely, the body must metabolize or break it down properly.
However, the foods discussed below can affect the body’s process of metabolizing medication. Some raise the levels of the drug in the body, increasing its side effects. Others may decrease its concentration, making it less effective.
Grapefruit
The body uses a vital enzyme called “CYP3A4” to metabolize many medications. The problem is that grapefruit (and grapefruit juice) can block this enzyme’s activity.
That results in more of the drug entering the blood and staying there for prolonged periods.
As an anticoagulant, Eliquis limits coagulation, helping lower the risk of dangerous blood clots. So, the more of it in the body, the lower the blood’s ability to form clots. This can increase one’s risk of bleeding.
That’s why people taking blood thinners, including Eliquis, should avoid grapefruit.
Lime Juice
Lime juice could also inhibit the enzyme CYP3A4. So, it may increase Eliquis concentrations in the body, too. This can lead to side effects similar to those of grape fruit-Eliquis interactions.
Foods Rich in Vitamin E
Studies suggest that vitamin E decreases the blood’s tendency to clot. So, it’s like a natural blood thinner.
However, that also means having too much vitamin E in your body can increase the effects of Eliquis. This may result in a higher risk of bleeding.
Foods rich in vitamin E include mangoes, blueberries, kiwis, almonds, spinach, and tomatoes.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant used in traditional European medicine. Throughout history, people have used it for conditions like insomnia, depression, and lung ailments.
However, experts warn that St. John’s Wort may lower the blood levels of factor Xa inhibitors. This can decrease Eliquis’s efficacy.
What About Alcoholic Beverages?
Alcohol, on its own, can thin the blood. It can make you more prone to bruising or bleeding if you get injured. Being on an anticoagulant makes this even more likely, so it’s best to avoid or limit alcohol intake when you’re on Eliquis.
Choose Your Food Carefully While on Eliquis
Knowing what foods to avoid while on Eliquis can help lower your odds of adverse events. So, if you now have to take this medication, please be careful of your dietary intake. Better yet, ask your doctor for a more comprehensive list of stuff you should (and shouldn’t) eat and drink.
For more health and wellness guides like this, check out our other educational blog posts!
