Mullein - Eliquis (Apixaban) Interaction

Interaction Details

Apixaban is classified as belonging to the following category: Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Lab tests on extracts from different parts of common and dense-flowered mullein plants show that they do have some blood-thinning effects, as they increase the time it takes for blood to clot. This is likely due to at least one of the known constituents of muellein, triterpenoid saponins. However, the effects appear to be mild and results have been inconsistent. Extracts from different plant parts have been show to have varying anticoagulant strengths, with water-based ones being more potent than alcohol-based extracts.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Pharmacist Analysis

Mullein has been found to contain a variety of compounds, including glycosides, flavonoids, and phenylethanoid glycosides. It also contains triterpene saponins such as thapsuines, polysaccharides, phenolic acids, phytosterol glycosides, and digiprolactone.

Triterpene saponins have been noted in laboratory studies to have mild anticoagulant effects, although this effect has not been seen in humans. While it is unlikely that the relatively small amount of triterpene saponins in mullein will cause clinically significant anticoagulant effects, caution should be exercised.

References

• Triterpenoid saponins from Verbascum songaricum - PubMed
• Biological activity of common mullein, a medicinal plant - PubMed
• Saponins as Modulators of the Blood Coagulation System and Perspectives Regarding Their Use in the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Incidents - PubMed
  

Apixaban Overview

• Apixaban is used help prevent strokes or blood clots in people who have atrial fibrillation (a condition in which the heart beats irregularly, increasing the chance of clots forming in the body and possibly causing strokes) that is not caused by heart valve disease. Apixaban is also used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT; a blood clot, usually in the leg) and pulmonary embolism (PE; a blood clot in the lung) in people who are having hip replacement or knee replacement surgery. Apixaban is also used to treat DVT and PE and may be continued to prevent DVT and PE from happening again after the initial treatment is completed. Apixaban is in a class of medications called factor Xa inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a certain natural substance that helps blood clots to form.

Mullein - More Interactions

Mullein interacts with 120 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.