Does alcohol thin your blood? Does alcohol raise blood pressure? » Ask Our Doctors

To learn more about our detox treatments or to inquire about our referral process, please leave your information below. Will require participants to enter into treatment alcohol and substance-free. Lack of clotting can also result in internal bleeding, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. Drinking a small amount can help people feel relaxed, but too much, too often, can be harmful for health.

• Mixing alcohol with blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided in most cases.
• Drinking alcohol may thin your blood because it prevents blood cells from clotting.
• You should limit your alcohol intake if you are taking blood thinners.
• By reducing the likelihood that these blood cells will stick together and form a clot, alcohol may then “thin” the blood and help to prevent cardiac complications.
• This antioxidant may reduce harmful cholesterol levels and minimize the risk of blood clots.
• Thin blood also makes it harder to heal from everyday injuries.

Alcohol can reduce some of the “stickiness” of red blood cells, which can lower the odds of blood clotting. Blood clots in thickened arteries or veins are often what contributes to heart attacks and strokes. By reducing the likelihood that these blood cells will stick together and form a clot, alcohol may then “thin” the blood and help to prevent cardiac complications. It’s blood thinners and alcohol not generally recommended to drink alcohol while taking blood thinners like Xarelto. Other drugs that act as blood thinners include warfarin and aspirin. Mixing alcohol with blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided in most cases. You may be safe to drink alcohol on occasion while on blood thinners and if your doctor gives you the go-ahead.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Blood Thinners?

Eliquis is a common blood thinner that does not require routine blood tests like some anticoagulants do. Using alcohol with Eliquis can increase the risk of internal bleeding, so alcohol use should be limited.

• The platelets make your blood clot, so bleeding stops when you suffer an injury.
• The blood test helps your doctor decide how much medicine you need.
• Add to that the potential effects of Xarelto on the liver and this combination may cause an increased risk of liver problems and bleeding.
• If you believe you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
• You may be safe to drink alcohol on occasion while on blood thinners and if your doctor gives you the go-ahead.

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Common Blood Thinner Medications

Occasional, moderate alcohol use should be safe for most people who are taking blood thinners. For example, people with liver problems may need to limit their alcohol use more strictly. There are no specific warnings about consuming alcohol while taking other blood thinners. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacist before drinking alcohol with any new medication. The content on this website is intended for information purposes only.

In Journalism & Media Studies from Rutgers University and is a contributing content writer for AlcoholRehabHelp. Alcohol consumption can lead to severe complications both during and after surgery.