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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. Your doctor will take into account your health history, age, weight and kidney and liver function before determining which blood thinner might work best for you. There are numerous types of medications, both prescription and non-prescription, that have the potential to interact with alcohol depending on how much and how often you drink. We are just going to touch on some common ones and their respective side effects, but you can view a more comprehensive list here. Another similar class of drugs includes the antiplatelet agents, Plavix® , Effient® , Brillinta® , and aspirin.

• The information on this website is proprietary and protected.
• Many surgeries require patients to come off of their blood thinner before the surgery, so it’s important to discuss how to safely stop and restart your blood thinner.
• Being on any blood thinner will increase your risk of bleeding.
• Since blood thinners and alcohol are both anticoagulants, taking them together can cause serious issues.
• Cough syrup and laxatives may have some of the highest alcohol concentrations.
• You should not rely on the information provided as a substitute for professional medical advice, care, or treatment.

As we mentioned earlier, thin blood can increase your risk of excessive bleeding and stroke. This can be especially dangerous for someone who’s taken blood thinners or has a heart condition. The International Normalized Ratio blood test measures how fast your blood clots and lets the doctor know if your dose needs to be changed.

Do clindamycin and alcohol mix?

There’s more than one kind of blood thinner, and they work in different pathways within the body. The lowest risk of CAD deaths was found in people consuming approximately one to two alcoholic equivalents. A more neutral effect was found with stroke deaths and non-fatal strokes.

Regardless of the type of blood thinner being used, you should generally avoid alcohol while taking a blood-thinning medication. The actual risks to a particular individual are very case-specific and should be discussed with a doctor. Blood thinners can also increase bruising and cause the formation of blood blisters. Some side effects specific to antiplatelet drugs include aspirin-induced asthma and the development of nasal polyps. Call 911 or visit urgent care if you cut yourself and can’t stop the bleeding.

Can I mix any blood thinners and alcohol?

The rest is made up of blood thinners and alcohol blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma. If you have high blood pressure, you should do your best to avoid alcohol. Usually, this after three or more drinks are consumed in a single sitting.

Alcohol, in low to moderate amounts, thins the blood, reducing the risk of clots. But moderation is key – and doctors don’t recommend drinking alcohol to protect against DVT. The relationship between alcohol and deep vein thrombosis may depend on what, and how much, you pour in your glass. Alcohol may interfere with the action of certain medications, including blood thinners. Doctors recommend that people taking warfarin or drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid limit their intake of alcohol. Occasional, moderate alcohol use should be safe for most people who are taking blood thinners. The newer oral anticoagulants do not have alcohol-drug interactions listed in their product labeling.

Key Takeaways on the Effects of Alcohol

Their mechanism of action isn’t affected by alcohol consumption. It’s relatively safe to consume alcohol as long as you’re in good overall health and have confirmed with a healthcare professional. Being on any blood thinner will increase your risk of bleeding. Traumatic injuries are one of the most common causes of bleeding, but sometimes you can bleed spontaneously. Ultimately, anyone who is taking any kind of blood-thinning medication should speak with their doctor before mixing it with alcohol.