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Reviewed by Heavy drinking is associated with a variety of cardiovascular issues, including heart muscle disorders, irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, and strokes. However, even moderate drinking affects blood coagulation, primarily by acting as a “blood thinner,” which can lead to enhanced adverse effects when consumed alongside blood thinning medication.
If you are concerned about enjoying a glass of wine after taking Aspirin, continue reading to learn about the risks and safety considerations of mixing alcohol and blood thinners.
Table Of Contents:
What Are Blood Thinners?
Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants or antiplatelets, are medications that help prevent the formation of new blood clots or reduce their size, stopping them from blocking blood flow within veins and arteries. Antiplatelets, for example, prevent platelets from sticking together to form clots.
Blood clots are a natural part of the body’s response to injury mediated by platelets and clotting factors (fibrinogen, thrombin) in the blood. They halt bleeding by forming a plug at the vascular damage site.
Conditions such as genetic predisposition, a sedentary or standing lifestyle, lack of physical activity, obesity, cancer, smoking or hormonal therapy (i.e., contraception) may lead to blood clotting happening inside blood vessels without any apparent injury, causing potentially serious health complications such as:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Pulmonary embolism
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Peripheral artery disease
It’s safe to remember that blood thinners don’t “thin” the blood; instead, they cause wounds to take longer to stop bleeding. If blood completely stops from clotting, people would bleed to death if they cut themselves.
Types and Common Blood Thinners
These medications are categorized into two main types: 1) anticoagulants and 2) antiplatelets.
- Anticoagulants inhibit specific clotting factors or enhance the activity of natural anticoagulant proteins
- Antiplatelets inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing the formation of platelet-rich blood clots
Most of these drugs come in pill form, but some are administered via IV. Some common blood thinners according to these categories are:
| Anticoagulants | Antiplatelets |
| Heparin | Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) |
| Enoxaparin (Lovemnox) | Clopidogrel (Plavix) |
| Dalteparin (Fragmin) | Prasugrel (Effient) |
| Warfarin (Coumadin) | Ticagrelor (Brilinta) |
| Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) | Cilostazol (Pletal) |
| Apixaban (Eliquis) | Dipyridamole (Persantine) |
| Dabigatran (Pradaxa) | Ticlopidine (Ticlid) |
| Edoxaban (Savaysa) | Vorapaxar (Zontivity) |
| Fondaparinux (Arixtra) | – |
| Argatroban (Acova) | – |
| Bivalirudin (Angiomax) | – |
| Desirudin (Iprivask) | – |
Is Alcohol A Blood Thinner?
It is scientifically proven that heavy alcohol consumption can lead to several medical complications, even resulting in 9,000 deaths per year from heart disease and stroke. But what about its effect on blood? Does drinking alcohol thin your blood?
The answer is yes. Although research shows alcohol may have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease (i.e., ischaemic coronary) and cerebral events, alcohol may act as a blood thinner under the following scenarios:
Reduction in Fibrinogen
Alcohol consumption can lower plasma fibrinogen levels, a protein essential for blood clotting, potentially reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes but increasing the risk of bleeding.
Effects on Clotting Factors
Alcohol thins the blood by increasing the activity of clotting factors like factor VII, leading to a higher risk of blood clots. It also raises levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which prevents clots from breaking down, affecting the balance between blood clotting and thinning, especially in heavy drinkers.
Anticoagulant Properties
Reported protective alcohol effects may vary depending on the type of beverage, their alcoholic content or non-alcoholic components, and the quantity consumed.
For example, polyphenols found in red wine have been suggested to have mild anticoagulant properties, potentially contributing to blood-thinning effects. Beer also exhibits this effect, though to a lesser degree.
What Happens When You Drink Alcohol and Blood Thinners?
When you drink blood thinners and alcohol, it can interact with the medication and potentially increase the risk of bleeding or other adverse effects. Since alcohol itself has blood thinning properties, combining it with blood thinners can enhance this effect, leading to increased alcohol-related excessive bleeding episodes.
- Blood thinners and alcohol may damage the liver; combining them can worsen liver issues.
- Drinking impairs coordination, increasing bleeding risks due to potential falls/injuries.
- Alcohol may exacerbate gastrointestinal ulcers or liver disease and higher bleeding complication risks.
- Alcohol can disrupt the breakdown of blood thinner medication, possibly impacting its efficacy.
It’s recommended to limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink/day for women and no more than two drinks/day for men. It’s advisable to spread alcohol consumption over at least three days.
Most Popular Blood Thinners and Alcohol
Many widely used blood thinners, such as Warfarin, Xarelto, Plavix and Eliquis, may have different interactions with alcohol, as explained below:
Warfarin and Alcohol
In tablet form, Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant commonly prescribed to prevent and treat blood clots in conditions like atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and certain heart valve issues.
Moderate/severe alcohol misuse and heavy drinking are associated with an increased risk of major bleeding during Warfarin therapy. Alcohol and Warfarin should be avoided or strictly limited to one or two drinks.
Eliquis and Alcohol
Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant medication available in tablets. It prevents blood clots in conditions such as atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis.
Can you drink on Eliquis? The combination of alcohol and Eliquis is generally considered safe, if moderate. Heavy or binge drinking can increase the risk of bleeding. Limit alcohol intake to no more than 6 glasses of wine a week.
Plavix and Alcohol
Plavix (clopidogrel) is an antiplatelet medication that comes in tablet form and is prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in individuals with cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis or recent heart attack or stroke.
Heavy alcohol drinking while taking clopidogrel can cause ulcers and irritate the stomach.
Xarelto and Alcohol
Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is an anticoagulant medication commonly available in tablet and powder for suspension and prescribed to prevent blood clots in conditions such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism.
While moderate alcohol consumption is generally considered safe with Xarelto, heavy or binge drinking can significantly increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
Aspirin and Alcohol
Aspirin, typically available in tablets, in combination with alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers, especially if taken regularly or in high doses.
Can You Drink Alcohol on Blood Thinners? − Key Takeaways
It’s best to avoid mixing alcohol and blood thinners due to the risk of stomach irritation and increased bleeding. If a special occasion is approaching, aim to space out drinks from your medication doses and limit them to only one or two.
If you suspect alcohol misuse or experience characteristic symptoms of a blood clot, such as swelling, pain, redness and warmth in the affected area, seek professional help promptly. Never withhold information about alcohol intake from your doctor, as it impacts treatment decisions.
Professional medical treatment will reduce your risks of developing severe health complications or further alcohol dependence.
People Also Ask
How long does alcohol thin your blood?
Alcohol can thin the blood for several hours after consumption, with effects varying based on individual metabolism, alcohol quantity and other factors.
Does alcohol make blood clots worse?
Excessive long-term alcohol intake can contribute to blood clot formation by increasing platelet levels and activation, leading to a higher likelihood of clotting.
Can you drink alcohol while taking Eliquis?
It’s advisable to avoid heavy and binge drinking while taking Eliquis, as it can increase the risk of bleeding. Limit alcohol consumption to no more than 14 units per week to minimize potential complications.
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