Is Green Tea Safe With Eliquis?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses whether or not green tea interacts with Eliquis.
Can I take green tea diet pills while on Eliquis?
Jan 11, 2023- Green tea likely poses only a very small risk when taken with Eliquis, though it may theoretically have mild blood-thinning effects. Watch for signs of bleeding such as easy bruising, bleeding gums, and black or tarry stools, and let your doctor know about all supplements you're taking. If you're considering a specific green tea product, contact your pharmacist or doctor since it may contain additional ingredients that could interact with Eliquis.
Answer
Thanks for reaching out! You specifically mentioned 'green tea diet pills' in your question but didn't say if you were considering a specific product (which may or may not contain additional ingredients). So, I'll write about whether or not green tea itself, or an extract, is safe with Eliquis.
If you have a specific product in mind you want to ask about, please be sure to reach out to us again.
Green Tea With Eliquis
First and foremost, there are going to be many over-the-counter dietary supplements that have a theoretical interaction with Eliquis (apixaban) simply because Eliquis is an anticoagulant drug and countless herbals and supplements are purported to have at least mild anticoagulant effects.
That is what we see when we look at combining green tea with Eliquis.
Green tea, both as a liquid or when used as an extract in dietary supplements marketed for weight loss, may have mild anticoagulant effects. This, in theory, increases the risk of bleeding.
It has to be said though, that evidence regarding the anticoagulant effects (i.e., blood-thinning effects) of green tea is quite conflicting. Some studies have shown it may have very mild effects on blood clotting caused by a few compounds found in green tea, namely catechins and caffeine, but most studies report that the interaction is likely clinically insignificant when consuming usual amounts of green tea (and not extremely high doses).
It also must be noted that most studies that have evaluated the anticoagulant effects of green tea have only been done in a lab setting (i.e., in vitro) and human evidence is lacking.
So, overall, although there is likely only a very small risk of a clinically significant interaction, it's always important to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of bleeding, especially when taking a drug like Eliquis. Symptoms to look out for include easy bruising and bleeding, bleeding gums, and black/tarry stools.
Also, be sure to let your doctor know about all the medication you are taking so you can be appropriately monitored.
Be Cautious With Any Blood-Thinning Medication
As mentioned, although green tea is unlikely to have strong anticoagulant/antiplatelet effects, you should be cautious about combining it with certain medications. That, of course, includes the drug in question here, Eliquis, but also other blood-thinning medications, such as:
Always watch for signs of easy bruising or bleeding when taking blood-thinning medication.
Final Words
Thanks again for contacting us! Feel free to contact us again anytime, and be sure to use our free 'drug-herbal interaction checker' as well!
References & sources
- Antiplatelet effect of green tea catechins: a possible mechanism through arachidonic acid pathway — PubMed
- Antiplatelet activity of green tea catechins is mediated by inhibition of cytoplasmic calcium increase — PubMed
- Blood anticoagulation and antiplatelet activity of green tea (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) in mice — PubMed
- Antithrombotic activities of green tea catechins and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Anticoagulant
- A drug or substance that helps prevent blood clots by slowing down the blood's ability to clot.
- Eliquis
- A prescription blood-thinning medication used to help prevent strokes and reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Dietary supplements
- Over-the-counter products containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other ingredients taken to supplement the diet.
- Extract
- A concentrated form of a substance obtained by removing the active components from a plant or material.
- Catechins
- Natural compounds found in green tea that have antioxidant properties and may affect blood clotting.
- Clinically insignificant
- An effect or interaction that is too small or unlikely to cause noticeable harm or change in a patient's health.
- In vitro
- Scientific testing or research performed in a laboratory setting using isolated cells or tissues rather than in a living organism.
- Antiplatelet
- Relating to a drug or substance that prevents blood platelets from clumping together to form clots.
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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