Eliquis and alcohol: hi: just started... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Eliquis and alcohol

rhea24 profile image
28 Replies

hi: just started eliquis 5mg 2x a day after being on Coumadin for several years. I am a pancreatic cancer survivor and am always nervous and jerky about meds. What is the scoop on having a glass of wine or cocktail? Thanks in advance for your input

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rhea24 profile image
rhea24
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28 Replies
beardy_chris profile image
beardy_chris

Enjoy! :)

Hms1946 profile image
Hms1946

I too am on same med since last October and have found that one or two glasses is fine but more than that and the AF becomes really bad! So, enjoy but take care!

I've been on Eliquis for 3 months and have had no problems with a few drinks.

Depends how big the glass is 🥂🍾

Mazza23 profile image
Mazza23

Been on apixaban 3 years never smoked never drank still have heart vascular problems so enjoy

rosyG profile image
rosyG

AF is affected by alcohol so best avoided I think !!

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646 in reply torosyG

snap - not worth it AF is soooo bad when it kicks in - as soon as I had a mouthful of wine started worrying - not the plan - gave up.

djmnet profile image
djmnet in reply torosyG

Alcohol seems to affect very few of us afibbers -- why avoid something you may enjoy? Live your life.

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply todjmnet

all the cardiologists who have spoken to our support group think AF is affected by alcohol and they see many patients

Also, look through past posts on tis forum and you will find so many people who say it has affected them- not worth the risk !!

djmnet profile image
djmnet in reply torosyG

And yet my EP says alcohol in moderation is not a problem. And it has never been a problem for me. I've never experienced a single episode during or after having a drink (but I'm not a red wine drinker, which I understand does cause problems for some).

Gertsen profile image
Gertsen

I have on it for more than a year and enjoy a glass at weekends, don't drink a lot anymore as it can set off my AF.

Annekw profile image
Annekw

I have a gin and tonic every evening- no problems!

Enjoy!

starry-eyes profile image
starry-eyes

I agree with others here. Very limited drinking seems OK for me from the AF point of view and it is not the Eliquis which is the problem but more that alcohol can set off a fast heart rate. As a result, I never have more than one medium glass of wine at the weekend.

12string profile image
12string in reply tostarry-eyes

When you say it sets off the fast heart rate, does it happen while drinking or hours, later? I think it might affect me later, not while I'm drinking.

starry-eyes profile image
starry-eyes in reply to12string

It happens later, usually when I go to bed and try to sleep! That's why I cut right back, but if I drank more, I would probably feel unwell at the time too.

Nancya profile image
Nancya in reply to12string

It affects me later - when I am in bed trying to sleep. One glass - maybe two but anymore and it sets off a fast heart rate.

dave205 profile image
dave205

The following study showed

Consumption of alcohol in moderation prevent the incidence of heart failure of 25%, whereas it was not associated with development of atrial fibrillation.

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply todave205

problem is dave that many of us has found it does start AF off !!

12string profile image
12string in reply todave205

That seems to sum it up, this study had a huge sample size, as well. Confusing, of course for a non-professional. Possibly, beer may be ok? Not sure on that.

Mazdavi profile image
Mazdavi

I still drink but I do tend to avoid red wine as I have found out certain tannins in red wine have triggered AFs I think it pays just to be sensible on how much you consume

EricR profile image
EricR

I have permanent afib and switched from Coumadin to the same dosage as you of Eliquis about one year ago. I weigh 155lb. and drink about 4-6 ounces of red or white wine every evening with meals. Cardiologist is OK with it and I've had no problems. I might have a mixed drink about once or twice a month, but only one. None of my doctors are OK with their heart patients drinking hard liquor every day.

We are definitely 2 who have beaten slim odds - you surviving pancreatic cancer and me surviving a sudden cardiac arrest at my home.

djmnet profile image
djmnet

I have also enjoyed some alcoholic drinks from time to time with no problem. However, I have read that there are certain things in red wine and that afibbers should avoid red wine.

ultramarine profile image
ultramarine

I don't bother with drink now, just a small bit effects me, even before going on Eliquis, but this shouldn't stop you if you can tolerate it.

Alcolhol a big trigger for me, doesn't matter what it is, so tee-total now. As djmnet says, with some people it can be something in the wine rather than the alcohol, and they can be set off with alcolhol-free wine containing whatever it is, tannin, sulphur etc. Not with me though. I can drink any amount of alcohol-free wine/beer whatever's in it as long as not much sugar I suppose.

So we're all different and you've got to follow you're own body.

Main thing is not to have your head buried in the sand because you like drinking. People who like a drink, and that was me, will defend it to the death. You know what the doctors are told to do....whatever volume the patient says they drink....double it. When my doctors used to ask how much I drank, I used to tell them and then add "I already doubled it for you", and that often got a knowing smile.

Koll

Samcullen profile image
Samcullen

Just a couple of drinks make me feel very sick now. Really puts me off drinking. Im on Apixaban and Bisoprolol, statins, BP meds and thyroxine.

Denise- profile image
Denise-

Enjoy in moderation, I know my limits after a couple of incidents, the odd glass is fine for me, but we are all different

Ajitriturado profile image
Ajitriturado

Drugs.com says when the liver is busy processing your alcohol, it isn't as efficient at metabolizing the drug, so you could end up with a higher level in your system which means higher risk of bleeding.

Itssuz profile image
Itssuz

Hi, How did the ablation work out? I'm hoping to have it done sometime soon. I see my Dr. regarding it at the end of the month. Are you still on the Xarelto? I'm hoping to get off the Eliquis as soon as I can. AND....I love to drink, mostly beer but a good old Moscow Mule or two are never turned down!

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