What foods should I avoid while on Eliquis?

There is not a special diet that you should follow while you are taking Eliquis (apixaban). However, some foods and drinks can interact with it that you should be aware of. Grapefruit, pomelos, and certain teas are some examples of foods you should avoid while on Eliquis.

Eliquis is an oral anticoagulant, also called a blood thinner. It is usually taken by mouth twice a day to lower the risk of stroke and blood clots. It may also be used to treat certain types of blood clots.

What foods should I avoid while on Eliquis?

Some foods prevent Eliquis from getting broken down and eliminated from your body. This can cause the medication to build up and increase your risk for bleeding. While small amounts usually are not a problem, you should avoid the following foods and drinks while taking Eliquis to prevent this from happening:

• Grapefruit
• Grapefruit juice
• Pomelos
• Limes
• Marmalades
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Chamomile tea
• Green tea
• Turmeric

In addition, many herbs and supplements have been reported to increase bleeding risk. Some examples include ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and fish oil. On the other hand, some supplements such as St. John’s wort can lower the effectiveness of Eliquis. This can put you at risk for blood clots.

Review a list of your current medications, including supplements and over-the-counter medications, with your healthcare provider. They can help you screen for potential interactions with Eliquis.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice any unexplained bleeding or bruising, blood in your stool or urine, or headache that is not going away.

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Should you take Eliquis with or without food?

You can take Eliquis with or without food. Food will not affect how well the medication works for you. If you experience nausea after taking your dose, you can try to take it with a snack or meal to see if that helps you feel better.

This is not all the information you need to know about Eliquis (apixaban) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.