Can You Take Keflex And Eliquis Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist provides details on the potential drug interaction between Keflex and Eliquis.
I have an infection my doctor gave me Keflex for. This was at an urgent care and I forgot to mention I take Eliquis for Afib. Are they safe to take together?
Jul 21, 2023- Keflex and Eliquis are generally safe to take together because Keflex does not significantly interact with Eliquis or affect how it works in your body.
- Keflex may interfere with other blood thinners like warfarin, but Eliquis works through a different mechanism that is not affected by this antibiotic.
- It's important to confirm with your doctor or pharmacist that these medications are appropriate for your specific situation.
Quick Answer
Yes, Keflex (cephalexin) is generally considered safe to take with Eliquis (apixaban).
While Keflex may interfere with the effectiveness of certain anticoagulants, like warfarin, it does not have the same interaction with Eliquis.
As always, it's best to consult with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice regarding your specific medications.
Detailed Answer
Keflex (cephalexin) is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections, while Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots.
As mentioned in the section above, Keflex is not known to interact with Eliquis and they are generally considered safe to take together.
Keflex, on its own, doesn't have any anticoagulant (i.e., blood-thinning) properties and doesn't significantly affect the metabolism of most drugs, since it does not inhibit or induce CYP metabolizing enzymes in the liver.
However, I do think it's worth noting that Keflex may interfere with certain anticoagulants, like warfarin (brand name Coumadin), due to its potential effects on vitamin K.
Studies have shown that certain antibiotics, including Keflex (cephalexin), could alter vitamin K synthesis due to alterations in the intestinal flora caused by the antibiotic's action.
The mechanism of action of warfarin is dependent on vitamin K. However, since Eliquis works through a different mechanism (inhibiting factor Xa rather than affecting vitamin K), it is not affected by drugs like Keflex.
Final Words
As always, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for personalized advice. They can assess your specific medical history, current medications, and individual needs to provide you with the most appropriate guidance.
Thanks for reaching out to us!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Cephalosporin
- A class of antibiotic medications derived from a fungus and commonly used to treat bacterial infections.
- Anticoagulant
- A medication that prevents blood clots by slowing or stopping the blood's ability to coagulate.
- Metabolism
- The process by which the body breaks down and processes drugs and other substances.
- CYP metabolizing enzymes
- Proteins in the liver that break down most medications in the body.
- Vitamin K
- A nutrient that plays a key role in blood clotting and is produced by bacteria in the intestines.
- Intestinal flora
- The bacteria and other microorganisms that naturally live in the digestive system.
- Factor Xa
- A blood clotting protein that is targeted and blocked by certain anticoagulant medications like Eliquis.
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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