What Cold Medications Are Safe With Eliquis?

Answer

There are a number of cold medications over-the-counter that are safe to take with Eliquis, but there are certainly a few you should avoid, or at the very least, be cautious using.

I'll break down medications by category (e.g. decongestants, pain-relievers, etc...) in the sections below, but here is a list of drugs often used for cold symptoms that you need to be cautious about using with Eliquis:

• Ibuprofen (Advil)
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
• Aspirin

Let's start with analgesics (i.e., pain relievers).

Pain Relievers With Eliquis

In general, you want to avoid any medication classified as an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) with Eliquis. This includes:

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Aspirin

Studies show that the combined use of NSAIDs with Eliquis increases the risk of bleeding. For example, one such study reported that the bleeding risk from the combined use of aspirin and Eliquis increased from 1.8% per year to 3.4% per year in individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

The prescribing information for Eliquis specifically states to avoid NSAIDs:

Concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis increases the risk of bleeding. These include aspirin and other antiplatelet agents, other anticoagulants, heparin, thrombolytic agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Cold symptoms often include mild pains, aches, and headaches. If you need a pain reliever while taking Eliquis, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a safer choice and is generally preferable to NSAIDs since it doesn't affect blood clotting.

Antihistamines With Eliquis

Antihistamines are safe to take with Eliquis. They are useful for treating a number of symptoms associated with a cold, such as:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes

Additionally, sedating antihistamines, like Benadryl and doxylamine (contained in NyQuil), can help you fall asleep faster if you are dealing with a cold.

Safe antihistamines include:

• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• Fexofenadine (Allegra)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Cough Medications With Eliquis

I'll lump both dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, and guaifenesin, an expectorant, in this category. Both of these drugs are safe to take with Eliquis as there are no known drug interactions.

Dextromethorphan is a cough that is contained in a number of over-the-counter drugs, including Delsym and Robitussin DM.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps to thin and loosen mucus secretions and is the active ingredient in Mucinex. 

It should be noted as well that you can find dextromethorphan and guaifenesin combined in a number of products, such as Robitussin DM.

Nasal Decongestants With Eliquis

You should not take any nasal decongestants, such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) or Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) without first speaking with your doctor.

These particular drugs don't necessarily interact with Eliquis, but there is a concern with a 'drug-disease' interaction here.

Eliquis is used for a number of conditions, including atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. Nasal decongestants can sometimes have a negative effect on these conditions.

For example, pseudoephedrine acts as a mild stimulant and can increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and increase blood pressure. Due to these effects, a number of studies have shown that pseudoephedrine can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in certain individuals, especially those who have been diagnosed previously with the condition.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may say nasal decongestants are safe for you to take, but you shouldn't take them without your consulting them first.

Final Words

I hope this answer helped! Reach back out anytime.