Medications prescribed to lower cholesterol levels (known as statins) can cause flushing, itching, stomach bleeding, and liver damage. Combining these drugs with alcohol can make the risks and side effects worse, especially if you have liver disease. It’s worth being cautious when it comes to mixing alcohol and medications. Some medications pose more serious risks than others, with symptoms ranging from drowsiness and dizziness to liver damage, slowed breathing, and possibly death. The quick answer to this question is yes, alcohol does act as a blood thinner.

Alcohol also reduces the “stickiness” factor of the platelets in your bloodstream, making it more difficult for your body to heal small to large wounds. It can also cause things like nosebleeds after a single night of over-drinking. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means it causes fluid loss through urination (peeing). Diuretics can lead to dehydration, which is dangerous when you’re on blood thinners because dehydration can significantly increase the risk of bleeding. Always consult your physician before drinking alcohol if you are currently taking blood thinners.

Blood thinners and alcohol: can they be used together?

Overdoing the alcohol, taking aspirin, and taking your blood thinner as prescribed can lead to internal bleeding. If you were to have an accident, even a normally minor one, and suffer injuries, you may experience excessive bleeding, which may require emergency medical care or surgery. Your doctor has prescribed a medicine called a blood thinner to prevent blood clots. Blood clots can put you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious medical problems. A blood thinner is a kind of drug called an anticoagulant (an-te-ko-AG-u-lent).

• Abstain from alcohol while you are taking an anticoagulant or blood thinner.
• Blood thinners are medications used to prevent and treat blood clots.
• Other times, an immediate trip to the ER or a call to 911 is imperative, says Dr. Alvarado, because some bleeding episodes can be life-threatening.
• That being said, it is important to always follow your doctor’s advice as they know best what course of action is right for you.

Some of these antidepressants come with additional side effects when mixed with alcohol. Cymbalta can cause liver damage.Antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), like Parnate and Nardil, can cause serious heart problems when combined with alcohol. When mixed with beer or wine, they can also cause dangerously high blood pressure due to an alcohol byproduct called tyramine. The North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. NATF is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by blood clots and related diseases. Through our comprehensive resources and innovative programming, we strive to educate patients and healthcare providers about thrombosis and its complications.

Blood Clot Facts Doctors Want You to Know

Drinking can put a lot of strain on your body and potentially interact with the medications you take for your health condition. If it’s busy working on the alcohol instead of your blood thinner, the level of the drug in your blood will go up and raise your bleeding risk. 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. Yes, alcohol can act as a blood thinner to an extent, which is why it can have a negative effect when too much is consumed with blood thinner medications. However, it doesn’t thin blood enough to successfully combat blood clots the way medicine would, so it cannot be used to treat blood clots.

Blood thinners can be particularly dangerous for people with alcohol addiction. They often find it more difficult to restrict their alcohol use to a moderate amount or avoid combining alcohol with blood thinners. This increases the likelihood of complications from mixing alcohol and 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.

Who Should I See After Being Diagnosed with a Blood Clot?

Alcohol can also increase the risk of injuries, which can bleed more easily while someone is on blood thinners. Always read the label and package insert of any medication you are taking, whether it has been prescribed https://ecosoberhouse.com/ by your doctor or purchased over-the-counter. If you are not sure if it is safe to drink alcohol while you are taking medication, call a local pharmacy or talk to your doctor about the potential interactions.

• The doctor needs to know about all your medicines, including medicines you used before you started taking a blood thinner.
• Most people who take blood thinners do not experience any serious side effects.
• Even though it could be harmful, people who struggle with alcohol abuse may find themselves combining alcohol and blood thinners even though they know they shouldn’t.
• Kava Kava, an herbal preparation, is sometimes used to treat these conditions.
• While blood thinners are generally considered safe when taken as directed by a physician, they can have some side effects that you should watch out for.

Does alcohol have beneficial effects by thinning your blood down? More watery blood may be better for your circulatory system and heart, it says. Some research-based evidence suggests that people who have thicker blood may be at higher risk of developing a stroke or having a heart attack.

Anti-Anxiety, Anti-Seizure, and Epilepsy Medications

Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. AHRQ’s Impact Case Studies highlight healthcare improvement through use of our toolkits. Tell all your doctors about every medication and over-the-counter product that you take. A pillbox with a slot for each day may help you keep track of your medicines. Bedside Stories highlights captivating personal stories that take place behind the scenes in health care. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse, please call our helpline today.

You should not rely on the information provided as a substitute for professional medical advice, care, or treatment. This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services blood thinners and alcohol to you or any individual. If you believe you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Potentially fatal blood clots, known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), are more likely when you’re hospitalized or part of a high risk group.

Over-the-Counter Pain Medications

Following is a list of some common medicines that you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about before using. You and your doctor will work together as a team to make sure that taking your blood thinner does not stop you from living well and safely. The information in this booklet will help you understand why you are taking a blood thinner and how to keep yourself healthy. Please take time to read all of the information in this booklet. 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.

• Blood thinners are medications that slow your body’s ability to coagulate blood, making your blood less likely to form blood clots.
• This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
• It’s important that you don’t mix alcohol with any of the following medications.
• This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any individual.
• People with thinner blood bruise more easily, their cuts and other wounds heal more slowly, and their platelets break down more often than other people’s and so need replaced more often.