The FDA approved Eliquis again in March 2014 to help reduce blood clots following hip and knee replacement surgeries. In September 2014, they approved it to help treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), which occur from blood clots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eliquis is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and comes in 2.5 milligram- and 5-milligram tablets. Patients can take Eliquis with or without food, and it is taken twice daily. The maximum daily dosage of Eliquis is typically 10 milligrams twice daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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What is Eliquis used for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Eliquis can be used in patients with atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation causes blood to collect in chambers of your heart due to the irregular beats, which increases the risk of blood clots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the blood clot travels to your legs, it can lodge in a vein and cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Signs of a DVT usually include throbbing or cramping in your leg, leg swelling, warm skin around the painful area, and\/or red and darkened skin near the site of the pain. DVTs sometimes don\u2019t have any symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the dangers of a DVT is that the blood clot can break off and travel to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot blocks the arteries carrying blood to your lungs. Some signs of a pulmonary embolism include sudden onset shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens while breathing, anxiety, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, coughing (sometimes coughing up blood), and sweating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood clots can also form blockages in your brain, causing a stroke, or in your heart, which is what causes a heart attack<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis is also used in post-surgical patients to help prevent blood clots after surgery. If you\u2019ve never needed blood thinners before, you\u2019ll likely only take a blood thinner temporarily after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis is an anticoagulant, which means it helps prevent blood clots<\/a> from forming as quickly as they normally do. Blood clotting is necessary for survival, but too much clotting can be problematic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis works by blocking a specific clotting factor called factor Xa. Your blood can still clot while taking Eliquis, but it will happen more slowly, which means you\u2019re at a greater risk of excessive bleeding if you have an injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the benefits of Eliquis compared to other types of anticoagulants is that it doesn\u2019t have any known food interactions. On the other hand, a popular blood thinner, warfarin has dietary restrictions<\/a> because it interacts with vitamin K<\/a>, a nutrient primarily found in green leafy vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Eliquis isn\u2019t known to interact with any foods, you may want to avoid or limit the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ginger might act as an anticoagulant, which could put you at a greater risk of developing blood clots while taking Eliquis. A review of ten scientific studies<\/a> was done to determine ginger\u2019s potential role in blood clotting (1). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Four of the clinical trials showed a correlation between ginger and decreased platelet aggregation, meaning it slowed blood clotting and acted as a blood thinner. The rest of the studies didn\u2019t find a correlation between ginger and blood clotting factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s likely safe to enjoy ginger in small amounts, such as in cooked dishes, you should probably avoid taking large doses, such as in the form of ginger supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other herbs with potential anticoagulant effects include ginkgo biloba, turmeric, and white willow<\/a>. You should let your healthcare provider know if you\u2019re taking these before starting Eliquis or any other anticoagulant medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood clots can block the blood flow in your arteries and veins. Blockages can also form from fatty plaque buildup, known as atherosclerosis<\/a>. Diets high in saturated fats might increase your risk of plaque buildup and could eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can typically find saturated fat in animal foods like high-fat meat and whole-fat dairy products. But you can also find it in some plant foods, such as coconut and palm fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating some saturated fat is okay, but aim to keep your total saturated fat intake to less than 10% of your total calories (less than 22 grams for a 2,000-calorie diet). <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should be especially mindful of your saturated fat intake if you have heart disease, high cholesterol, or other risk factors for heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a list of foods high in saturated fat you may want to limit or avoid while taking Eliquis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you know what foods to avoid while taking Eliquis (Apixaban), what foods should you include in your diet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating a healthy diet can optimize your cardiovascular and overall health while taking Eliquis. A diet rich in plant-based foods, such as a Mediterranean eating style<\/a>, is a great plan to follow while taking Eliquis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A healthy diet while taking Eliquis should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fruits and vegetables provide dietary fiber and important vitamins and minerals<\/a> like folate, vitamin C, and potassium. They also contain antioxidants<\/a> which help fight inflammation<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fruits and vegetables can help fight plaque buildup in your arteries, therefore helping to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke (2). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of high-saturated fat meat, try eating lean protein such as lean beef and pork, skinless poultry, and fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legumes like lentils and beans are packed with dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is a nutrient that can help lower high levels of LDL cholesterol and reduce fatty plaque buildup that can lead to blockages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent blood platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the best sources of omega-3s<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking high doses of omega-3s while on Eliquis might increase your risk of severe bleeding. You should avoid taking omega-3 or other fish oil supplements while taking Eliquis unless your healthcare provider approves it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some foods act as natural blood thinners<\/a>, but they aren\u2019t nearly as potent as prescription anticoagulants. Below are some examples of foods that have blood thinning properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Salicylates are compounds found in some plant foods. Salicylates can block the action of vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting by producing certain clotting factors (3). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Derivatives of salicylates such as salicylic acid are used to make aspirin, a medication that can be used as a blood thinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some foods and drinks particularly high in salicylates include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin D has an anticoagulant effect, which means it can act as a blood thinner. Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There aren\u2019t many foods that are naturally rich in vitamin D. Some foods that contain vitamin D<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a study, vitamin E may significantly lower your risk of blood clots if you have a history of blood clots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking too much vitamin E can cause excessive bleeding, so you shouldn\u2019t take vitamin E supplements while on Eliquis unless you speak with your healthcare provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The risk of bleeding from vitamin E toxicity is more prevalent with doses above 1,000 milligrams per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find vitamin E naturally in foods like:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides some foods, is there anything else you might need to avoid when taking Eliquis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can take Eliquis with or without food. If you experience nausea<\/a> from taking Eliquis, try to take it with a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis is usually prescribed for twice daily use, once in the morning and once in the evening, or every 12 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis has a black box warning from the FDA, which is the highest level of caution. Stopping Eliquis can increase your risk of having a problematic blood clot. If you need to discontinue Eliquis, it should be done carefully and under the guidance of a healthcare provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis has potential side effects and warnings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common side effects while taking Eliquis<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the time, bleeding from Eliquis is considered minor. In rare cases, it can be serious and may lead to death from blood loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your risk of bleeding is higher if you take other anticoagulant drugs like warfarin, heparin, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil)<\/a>. SSRIs used to treat depression may also increase the risk of bleeding while taking Eliquis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis is not to be used<\/strong> if you have an artificial heart valve, have certain clotting disorders or abnormal bleeding, or are allergic to its active ingredients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliquis also isn\u2019t recommended if you have antiphospholipid syndrome, a condition when your body mistakenly attacks tissue in your body and can lead to blood clots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There isn\u2019t enough research on taking Eliquis while pregnant, so you should only use it during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks to both mother and baby. Eliquis isn\u2019t recommended during lactation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can’t take Eliquis due to side effects or certain health conditions, talk to your doctor about alternative medications to Eliquis<\/a> you could take instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea from taking Eliquis, you can try taking it with food or milk to reduce the side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most effective way to reduce side effects like excessive bleeding is to take Eliquis as prescribed. Taking too much or too little Eliquis can result in abnormal bleeding or blood clots, which can be serious and even fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pill organizer can be helpful if you have difficulty remembering to take medications regularly. You can choose a pill organizer with AM and PM designations so you\u2019ll always remember if you took your dose, which can prevent accidental extra doses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have surgery planned, your healthcare provider can guide you on how to adjust Eliquis before and after surgery to minimize complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ben\u2019s Beta Glucan<\/a> is an immune support supplement designed to reduce your chance of becoming sick, fight flu, speed up recovery after injury, and help your body maintain a healthy immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beta glucan has been extensively studied and is the most powerful natural immune booster in the world. Studies show that beta glucan can improve immune function by 400%!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are no known food interactions with Eliquis, which means you can essentially eat a normal diet. Try to eat a heart-healthy diet<\/a> while on Eliquis to further help boost your cardiovascular and overall health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid taking certain supplements while taking Eliquis (or at least speak to your healthcare provider about them), such as omega-3\/fish oil, ginger, and any other potentially anticoagulant herbs in high doses. You may also want to avoid foods high in saturated fat while taking Eliquis. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow does Eliquis work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Foods to avoid while on Eliquis (Apixaban)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ginger and other herbs (high doses\/supplements)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"what](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Ginger-sexual-health-benefits-1024x217.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOther herbs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Foods high in saturated fat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"foods](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foods-to-avoid-after-prostate-surgery-1024x256.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFoods to eat while taking Eliquis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fruits and vegetables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"low](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Glycemic-index-of-fruits_11zon-1024x256.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLean protein<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Legumes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Heart-healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"omega-3\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed-5.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat foods are natural blood thinners?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
High-salicylate foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Vitamin D-rich foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"vitamin](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Vitamin-D-and-diabetes-1024x256.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nVitamin E<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Other things to avoid while taking Eliquis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Should Eliquis be taken with food?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the best time to take Eliquis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Any other safety concerns? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to reduce the side effects of Eliquis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ben’s Beta Glucan For Immune Support<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"immune](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Beta-Glucan-Blog-Optimization-reviews.io-1-1024x577.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"eliquis](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Eliquis-vs-warfarin-1024x217.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n