This article describes possible interactions with Eliquis. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Eliquis comes as tablets that you’ll swallow.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of blood clots if Eliquis treatment is stopped early. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of hematoma (leakage of blood from larger blood vessels) from certain spinal procedures. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Other drugs and Eliquis
The drugs in the list below may interact with Eliquis. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Eliquis.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with Eliquis include:
- anticoagulants other than Eliquis:
- antiplatelets:
- drug examples: clopidogrel (Plavix)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of Eliquis and the antiplatelet drug
- certain seizure drugs:
- drug examples: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, others), phenytoin (Dilantin)
- what might happen: can make Eliquis less effective
- certain antifungals:
- drug examples: ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of Eliquis
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- drug examples: aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of Eliquis and the NSAID
- rifampin (Rimactane):
- what might happen: can make Eliquis less effective
- ritonavir (Norvir) and treatments that contain it:
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Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether Eliquis has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with Eliquis.
Eliquis and supplements
Before taking Eliquis, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Eliquis interactions with herbs
Eliquis may interact with St. John’s wort. This herb is often used to ease symptoms of depression.
Taking Eliquis and St. John’s wort may make Eliquis less effective. Your doctor may suggest you avoid taking St. John’s wort and Eliquis together.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Eliquis.
Eliquis interactions with vitamins
Eliquis isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Eliquis.
Eliquis and food
Eliquis can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. These may increase the risk of side effects caused by Eliquis, especially bleeding.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking Eliquis.
Eliquis and vaccines
Eliquis isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking Eliquis.
Eliquis and lab tests
Eliquis isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking Eliquis.
Eliquis and cannabis or CBD
Eliquis isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with Eliquis.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Questions about Eliquis and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about Eliquis and possible interactions.
What pain reliever can I take with Eliquis?
Acetaminophen doesn’t interact with Eliquis, so this combination is typically safe to take together. But acetaminophen does have other interactions that may mean it isn’t safe for you to take. For example, if you have severe liver cirrhosis, your doctor may suggest avoiding acetaminophen.
For this reason, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking acetaminophen, even though it doesn’t interact with Eliquis.
Also, keep in mind that NSAIDs are pain relievers that do interact with Eliquis. You can learn more in the “Other drugs and Eliquis” section above or by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there interactions between Eliquis and antacids?
No, there’s no known interaction between Eliquis and antacids.
That said, some antacids contain aspirin or NSAIDs. It’s advisable to avoid antacid products while taking Eliquis because Eliquis can interact with aspirin and NSAIDs.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about taking antacids while you’re taking Eliquis.
Are there interactions between Eliquis and zinc?
No, there’s no known interaction between Eliquis and zinc supplements or supplements that contain zinc. But zinc plays a part in the body’s blood clotting process. (Keep in mind that Eliquis is prescribed to treat and help prevent certain kinds of blood clots.)
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about taking zinc supplements while you’re taking Eliquis.
Health factors and Eliquis
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with Eliquis. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking Eliquis, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Eliquis is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with Eliquis:
- antiphospholipid syndrome
- replaced heart valve
- kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease
- liver condition, such as alcohol-related liver disease
- bleeding problem, such as hemophilia
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to Eliquis
When to avoid Eliquis
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with Eliquis. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe Eliquis in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for Eliquis:
- Active bleeding. If you’re experiencing bleeding, taking Eliquis may cause it to worsen. This includes bleeding inside your body, such as in your stomach or intestines.
- Replaced heart valve. Eliquis wasn’t studied in people with heart valve replacement. For this reason, your doctor may not recommend this drug if you’ve had a heart valve replaced.
- Past allergic reaction to Eliquis. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Eliquis, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking Eliquis, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should use Eliquis.
Alcohol and Eliquis
Both Eliquis and alcohol make it harder for your blood to form a clot. It’s possible that consuming alcohol, especially in large amounts, could raise your risk of bleeding while taking Eliquis.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking Eliquis.
Preventing Eliquis interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with Eliquis. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking Eliquis.
Taking Eliquis exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about Eliquis and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- How do interactions of Eliquis compare with those of Xarelto?
- If Eliquis interacts with a medical condition I have, is it still safe for me to take this drug?
- Is it safe to take a fish oil supplement while I’m taking Eliquis?
Boxed warnings for Eliquis
This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of blood clots if Eliquis treatment is stopped early. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of hematoma (leakage of blood from larger blood vessels) from certain spinal procedures. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Risk of blood clots if Eliqiuis treatment is stopped early. Be sure to talk with your doctor before stopping Eliquis. Stopping treatment early raises your risk of developing blood clots, some of which could be life threatening. Usually, treatment with Eliquis is only ended if someone is having life threatening bleeding or has completed their treatment as advised by their doctor.
Risk of spinal blood clots from certain procedures. Having certain spinal procedures while taking Eliquis increases the risk of hematoma. A hematoma is the leakage and pooling of blood from larger blood vessels. In the case of Eliquis, if a hematoma occurs, it can be serious and cause long lasting and sometimes permanent paralysis. Examples of procedures that can cause this include a lumbar puncture. Immediately tell your doctor if you experience back pain, numbness or tingling, or a loss of bladder control after having a spinal procedure while taking Eliquis.
To learn more about these warnings, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.