Is White Mulberry Safe To Take With Eliquis?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses whether or not Eliquis can safely be taken with white mulberry.
Can you take white mulberry with Eliquis?
Feb 19, 2023- White mulberry is not known to thin the blood or interact with Eliquis based on current evidence. White mulberry may interact with diabetes medications and increase the risk of low blood sugar, though this is considered a minor interaction. Always inform your doctor about everything you are taking so you can be properly monitored.
Quick Answer
White mulberry is not known to have antiplatelet or anticoagulant effects and is not thought to interact with these types of prescription drugs (which includes Eliquis [apixaban]).
Detailed Answer
White mulberry is a plant that is native to China and has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes for centuries, particularly for regulating blood sugar levels.
Eliquis is a brand name for a prescription medication called apixaban, which is used to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of stroke in people with certain types of heart rhythm disorders. It works by inhibiting the activity of certain proteins in the blood that are involved in blood clotting.
There are certainly some drugs that may interact with white mulberry (which you can look over on our white mulberry herbal page). For example, it may interact with antidiabetic drugs and increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), even though this is generally considered to be only a minor interaction.
However, as far as we know, white mulberry is not known to thin the blood, and there is no evidence to suggest that it interacts with Eliquis.
Nevertheless, as always, be sure to let your doctor know about everything you are taking so you can be appropriately monitored.
Final Words
Thanks so much for your question! Reach back out anytime.
References & sources
- Influence of mulberry leaf extract on the blood glucose and breath hydrogen response to ingestion of 75 g sucrose by type 2 diabetic and control subjects — PubMed
- Gluconeogenic substrates and hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: effect of mulberry (Morus indica L.) leaves — PubMed
- Food-grade mulberry powder enriched with 1-deoxynojirimycin suppresses the elevation of postprandial blood glucose in humans — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antiplatelet
- A medication or substance that prevents blood platelets from clumping together to form clots.
- Anticoagulant
- A medication that slows or prevents blood clotting by interfering with clotting factors in the blood.
- Apixaban
- A prescription medication that works by blocking proteins involved in blood clotting to prevent dangerous clots and strokes.
- Inhibiting
- Blocking or reducing the activity or function of something, such as proteins or enzymes.
- Antidiabetic
- A medication or substance that helps lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
- Hypoglycemia
- A condition in which blood sugar levels drop dangerously low.
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...
More answers from Brian →