Things To Avoid If Youre On Blood Thinners
While leafy greens, grapefruit and green tea are generally considered healthy diet staples, they may counteract the effects of some blood thinners.
Patients on the blood thinners Coumadin or Warfarin need to avoid vitamin K-rich foods and supplements, said Dr. Samantha Crites, a cardiologist at Mon Health Heart and Vascular Center. While blood thinners prevent and/or dissolve blood clots, Vitamin K can thicken your blood.
If a patient is prescribed Coumadin or Warfarin and consistently eats foods high in vitamin K, the vitamin K will work against the medication and make it harder to regulate the patients blood, she added.
New oral anticoagulants are not affected by vitamin K and do not have these dietary restrictions, said Dr. Crites. If foods high in vitamin K are a big part of your diet, discuss these options with your doctor.
Dr. Crites recommends patients who take Coumadin or Warfarin avoid or limit the following:
Leafy greens
Leafy greens like kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts and lettuce contain high amounts of vitamin K.
If a patient eats the same amount of these foods daily, their medication can be adjusted, Dr. Crites said. But adjusting medication doesnt work if the patient is eating these foods inconsistently.
Good replacements for these foods include tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers.
Green tea
Cranberry juice
If youre taking a blood thinner, even the new types, cranberry juice can increase the risk of bleeding.
Grapefruit
Is Paxlovid Similar To Tamiflu
I think it’s a good comparison, says Dr. Roberts. Tamiflu is an antiviral drug that reduces flu symptoms. Both are prescription-only oral antiviral pills given early in illness.
Tamiflu is taken twice a day for five days, and it must be started within 48 hours of flu onset. When you give a patient Tamiflu beyond that, it doesnt really change the course of their flu, Dr. Roberts says.
But there are also differences between the two, starting with the way they were studied, Dr. Topal adds. Researchers showed that Paxlovid can prevent hospitalization and death. But since influenza causes fewer severe cases, clinical trials focused on whether Tamiflu could shorten the length of flu illnesswhich it did, he says.
How To Use Eliquis
See also Warning section.
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking apixaban and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily . If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may crush the tablet and mix with water, apple juice, or applesauce and take it right away.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, weight, kidney function, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use . If you are taking apixaban to prevent blood clots from forming after surgery, the length of treatment is based on the type of surgery that you had.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Do not run out of this medication. Order your refills early to avoid running out of pills.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
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New Eliquis Alert: Unexpected Side Effect
A few years ago we received alerts about an increasing number of serious bleeding episodes associated with the anticoagulant Eliquis . This medication is prescribed to prevent blood clots in patients with an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation . The drug is also used to prevent blood clots after knee replacement surgery and to reduce the risks of blood clots in the legs or lungs from deep vein thrombosis .
Eliquis is one of a new generation of anticoagulants that are being substituted for warfarin . So is Xarelto . Many physicians believe that the new drugs are safer and easier to take than warfarin. But in March, 2019 Johnson & Johnson and Bayer settled roughly 25,000 lawsuits involving Xarelto. Lawyers for the plaintiffs asserted that the drug companies did not adequately warn patients about the possibility of life-threatening hemorrhages. How much did the companies fork over? $775 million!
In 2014 the German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim agreed to pay $650 million to settle about 4,000 lawsuits over a similar drug, Pradaxa, which was also blamed in bleeding deaths and injuries.
Other Less Common Side Effects:
- Low blood pressure
- Nose bleeds and bleeding gums
- Bleeding at the site of surgery
We dont know about you, but whenever we see a long list of side effects our eyes glaze over. Reading real stories from visitors to this website makes such complications far more concrete. We received this message from Joe:
Eliquis is the worst drug Ive ever taken in my life. After only six days I developed all of the following side effects:
SEVERE exhaustion. Couldnt even walk to the mailbox. SEVERE breathlessness. SEVERE cognitive failure. Felt like my head was stuffed with cotton. Periods of rapid heart beat. Insomnia. BPH Ravenous appetite absolutely craved carbs. Would have to get up in the middle of the night and eat.
Many of Joes symptoms are not listed in the official prescribing information so it is hard to know if they were really brought on by Eliquis.
This story is from Margaret is far more worrisome:
Margaret isnt the only one concerned about the new generation of oral anticoagulants. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices issues a publication called Quarter Watch. It too monitors the FDAs Adverse Event Reporting System. In the it noted that:
Strong signals continued for three anticoagulant drugs, warfarin and newcomers dabigatran and rivaroxaban . The three drugs accounted for 1,734 reports to the FDA in 2012 Q2, including 233 patient deaths, reinforcing the conclusion that anticoagulants rank among the highest risk of all outpatient drug treatments
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Nattokinase Replaced My Coumadin Drugs
At one time I was prescribed warfarin, and I am really glad I was able to stop taking this dangerous medication, because I discovered nattokinase.
Although I wear compression stockings to keep my blood flowing, my blood vessels still need assistance in helping my blood flow freely. This is one of the reasons I take nattokinase, twice daily.
If you are currently prescribed long term warfarin, you should know that you are at a higher risk of a brain hemorrhage .
You may also be surprised to learn that warfarin, although a stroke preventing drug, may actually cause a different type of stroke, called a hemorrhagic stroke.
The great news is though, that warfarin is being phased out in people who are at high risk of arterial fibrillation and is being replaced by newer, safer drugs.
Although approved by the FDA, my reservation with this is really, how safe are these drugs in the long term.
Remember, warfarin was also safe to use when it was first released. Time will tell, and this is certainly food for thought.
But it is just another reason why the nattokinase enzyme could be more readily used, because although it is not a blood thinner, nattokinase does dissolve blood clots, so it can certainly be used as protection against coronary heart disease.
Take On An Empty Stomach How Do You Know When Your Stomach Is Empty
Two hours after eating is a crude rule of thumb. A more accurate answer depends on the drugs you are taking and your medical conditions.
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Q. Many medications should be taken on an empty stomach. How do you know when your stomach is empty?
A. Two hours after eating is a crude rule of thumb. A more accurate answer depends on the drugs you are taking and your medical conditions.
Doctors began studying gastric emptying times in the 1940s at Guys Hospital in London. Gastric emptying time is the length of time required for the stomach to return to empty after a meal.
In 1951, they . Each subject ingested a test meal of gruel. Then, the contents of their stomachs were sucked back out. By repeating the experiment at various time points, the doctors were able to determine how long it took for their stomachs to empty. From 190 experiments, the doctors calculated the average emptying time to be about two-and-a-quarter hours.
In 1966, other investigators began using radioactive substances to measure gastric emptying. With refinements over the years, this technique has become the standard for assessing the rate of gastric emptying.
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Plavix And Other Medications
Below are lists of medications that can interact with Plavix. These lists do not contain all the drugs that may interact with Plavix.
Before taking Plavix, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Plavix and certain proton pump inhibitors
Plavix can interact with certain other drugs that are metabolized by the same enzymes in your liver. For example, proton pump inhibitors are a class of drugs that are metabolized by the enzymes that break down Plavix. Taking these drugs with Plavix can make Plavix less effective for you. This may be dangerous to your health.
Examples of proton pump inhibitors that can decrease the effectiveness of Plavix include:
- lansoprazole
- dexlansoprazole
- omeprazole
If youre taking one of the drugs listed above, talk with your doctor about whether its safe for you to use Plavix. They may recommend a different treatment so you can avoid this interaction.
Plavix and ibuprofen or other NSAIDs
Examples of NSAIDs that can increase your risk of bleeding include:
While youre using Plavix, talk with your doctor before you start taking any new medications, including pain relievers.
Plavix and warfarin or other blood thinners
- rivaroxaban
What Causes Blood Clots
Blood clots can form inside your blood vessels if your blood is prevented from flowing freely around your body. There are many reasons why this can happen.
Examples of factors that could raise your risk for a blood clot include:
- broken bones
- heart or lung disease
- cancer
When your blood doesnt flow freely, blood cells called platelets start clumping together inside your blood vessels. The platelets make substances that activate clotting factors in your blood. When activated, clotting factors cause blood clots to form.
A blood clot that develops in a vein deep inside your body is called a deep vein thrombosis . Sometimes a DVT can become dislodged and travel through your bloodstream to your lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism . A blood clot that develops in your heart can travel through your bloodstream to your brain and cause a stroke.
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Can I Take Eliquis Once A Day
No, Eliquis needs to be taken twice a day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your blood.
Certain other blood thinners can be taken once a day. These include warfarin , rivaroxaban and enoxaparin .
If youre interested in a blood thinner that you take only once a day, talk with your doctor.
Videostaying Active And Healthy With Blood Thinners
People often worry about how routine medicines like blood thinner pills will affect their lifestyles. With a few simple steps, taking a blood thinner can be safe and easy. In fact, more than 2 million people take blood thinners every day to keep them from developing dangerous blood clots. Staying Active and Healthy with Blood Thinners is a 10-minute video that shows how small changes in daily routines can help people take blood thinners safely.
What is a blood thinner? What does it do? Why it is helpful? These questions are answered in this video, which features easy-to-understand explanations of how blood thinners work and why it’s important to take them correctly. It also introduces BEST, an easy way to remember how to fit blood thinner medication into daily life.
Be Careful
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What Side Effects Are Possible With This Medication
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- bleeding
- bruising or swelling
- nausea
Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- bleeding or oozing from the surgical wound
- blood in urine
- signs of bleeding
- symptoms of anemia
- symptoms of liver problems
- symptoms of unidentified bleeding
- symptoms of low blood pressure
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- allergic reaction
- signs of bleeding in the stomach
Switching From Warfarin To Apixaban
If you need to switch from warfarin to apixaban, your doctor will advise you when to stop taking warfarin.
This will probably be a few days before you start apixaban.
Your doctor or anticoagulant clinic will do a blood test called the international normalised ratio to check how quickly your blood’s clotting.
This is to help decide exactly when you should start taking apixaban.
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Dont Take More Than The Recommended Dosage
NSAID overuse isnt rare: A 2018 study published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety revealed that 15 percent of adult users of ibuprofen exceed the maximum recommended dose of ibuprofen or other NSAIDs in a one-week period.
This was typically the result of taking too much of a single NSAID at one time, taking two different NSAIDs simultaneously, or failing to wait long enough before taking another dose. Overuse increases your risk of developing GI side effects from NSAIDs, so be sure to follow your doctors directions to the letter.
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Naproxen May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- constipation
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- burning or tingling in the arms or legs
- cold symptoms
- loss of appetite
- confusion
Naproxen may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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Are There Any Other Precautions Or Warnings For This Medication
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Increased bleeding risk: If you have any medical conditions that may cause an increased risk of bleeding, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. These conditions include uncontrolled very high blood pressure a problem with the blood vessels in the back of the eye called retinopathy current or past ulcer of the stomach or intestines recent stroke or recent surgery of the brain, spinal column, or eye.
If you are taking medications to prevent blood clots or other medications that reduce blood clotting such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or acetylsalicylic acid, discuss with your doctor whether any special monitoring is needed.
Heart valves: The safety and effectiveness of apixaban have not been established for people with prosthetic heart valves or severe rheumatic heart disease. Apixaban is not recommended for use by people with these conditions.
Seniors: People over the age of 75 are at an increased risk of bleeding. Report any unusual bruising or bleeding to your doctor immediately.
How To Take Eliquis
Patient was educated on how to take Eliquis as follows:
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