Can You Take Biotin With Eliquis?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not there is a drug interaction between biotin and Eliquis.
Can I take a biotin supplement when I’m taking Eliquis?
Oct 08, 2022- Biotin is safe to take with Eliquis because it does not interact with blood thinners or affect how they work.
- You should stop taking biotin supplements 48 to 72 hours before any lab tests because it can interfere with the results.
- Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in foods and is commonly used as a supplement for hair, skin, and nail health.
Answer
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is not known to have any drug interactions or affect blood coagulation. It is considered safe to take with Eliquis.
It is important to note that some drugs can decrease biotin levels, and your doctor may recommend supplementing with it for this reason. For example, several antiepileptic drugs (e.g., carbamazepine) can cause low levels of biotin.
Are There Any Precautions For Taking Biotin?
Biotin is present in small amounts in many different types of food and is a very popular over-the-counter supplement for improving the look, growth, and structure of hair, skin, and nails.
As mentioned, biotin is not thought to have any drug interactions, but it can interfere with several different lab tests, including thyroid function tests and common immunoassay tests (e.g., troponin, digoxin, ferritin, testosterone, brain natriuretic peptide, and progesterone).
It is unknown exactly how much biotin one has to take for it to interfere with labs, but one study suggests that doses as low as 5-10 mg daily can cause interference. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid biotin supplements for 48 to 72 hours prior to laboratory testing.
Although studies are limited, there are no reported interactions between biotin and other drugs.
Final Words
Thanks so much for your question and reach back out anytime!
References & sources
- Biotin — StatPearls
- Factitious Graves' Disease Due to Biotin Immunoassay Interference-A Case and Review of the Literature — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Water-soluble vitamin
- A vitamin that dissolves in water and is not stored in body fat, so it needs to be consumed regularly through diet or supplements.
- Drug interactions
- Changes in how a medication works when taken together with another drug, supplement, or food.
- Blood coagulation
- The process by which blood clots to stop bleeding.
- Antiepileptic drugs
- Medications used to treat and prevent seizures.
- Over-the-counter supplement
- A health product that can be purchased without a prescription.
- Immunoassay tests
- Laboratory tests that use antibodies to detect specific substances in blood or other body fluids.
- Thyroid function tests
- Blood tests that measure how well the thyroid gland is working.
- Troponin
- A protein in the heart and skeletal muscles that is measured in blood tests to detect heart damage.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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