Can You Take Eliquis With Melatonin?

Answer

While I couldn't find any studies that have specifically evaluated the combined use of Eliquis (apixaban) and melatonin, some have found evidence that melatonin could potentially have mild anticoagulant (i.e., blood thinning) effects and may increase the risk of bleeding in those taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

As with all over-the-counter drugs and supplements, be sure to tell your doctor if you plan on starting something new so you can be appropriately monitored.

What Do The Studies Say?

There are not many studies showing melatonin increasing bleeding risk, and it's likely that the risk here is quite low.

Nevertheless, some studies have shown that melatonin may increase the time it takes your blood to coagulate (i.e., clot). One such study concluded the following:

"A single dose of oral melatonin was associated with lower plasma levels of procoagulant factors 60 min later. There might be a dose-response relationship between the plasma concentration of melatonin and coagulation activity."

There have also been isolated case reports, documented by the FDA through their 'adverse event reporting system' (CFSAN [Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition] Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS)), of minor bleeding episodes in individuals taking melatonin with the anticoagulant warfarin.

Several other studies list melatonin as an agent that can increase bleeding risk, but there isn't much data behind it.

More studies need to be completed to evaluate the blood-thinning effects of melatonin. Data is just sparse here.

It is important to note that melatonin is an endogenous hormone (i.e., our body produces it naturally), so any interaction likely is dose-dependent.

Interaction Management

Due to the lack of safety data regarding the combined use of Eliquis and melatonin, they should be used cautiously together.

The available data seems to show a clinically significant interaction doesn't happen often, for most individuals, but again, it has been reported.

Until more, and higher quality studies are done evaluating the potential blood thinning effects of melatonin, it's difficult to give a recommendation one way or another.

If you do take melatonin and Eliquis together, be sure to let your doctor know. You should start on the lowest available dose of melatonin and monitor for signs/symptoms of bleeding, such as:

• Easy bruising
• Bleeding from the gums
• Black or tarry stools

Final Words

Thanks for your question! Reach back out anytime.