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Apixaban

Maisiemay13 profile image
35 Replies

Morning quick question I take Apixaban and have just seen on tv if you are on an anticoagulant you should not be eating leafy green veg! Being a vegetarian I eat a fair amount!

I thought this was only if you were taking Warfarin!

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Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13
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35 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Doacs such as apixaban are not a problem with any kind of diet. What you saw was nonsense anyway since balance is all that matters

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to BobD

Yes they are

Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13

Thank you Bob

Agree with BobD but can you give us more information about what you actually saw. Was it a program, which channel and what was it called plus anything else that would help find out what was actually said.....

Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13 in reply to

It was This Morning it said anticoagulant leafy greens,chickpeas and something else,did mention Warfarin it was talking about foods that can inhabit your medication working

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to Maisiemay13

Misinformation or poor information is sometimes worse than no information.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Absolute none sense, as BobD says. Green veg are packed with VitK and therefor some people tend to avoid green veg to stabilise their INR if they take Wafarin but many adjust their Wafarin to eat a consistent diet of green veg.

As Apixaban is not a VitK inhibitor anyway, it has no affect. Apixaban works on a completely different part of the clotting process.

Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13 in reply to CDreamer

Thank you

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to CDreamer

That is rubbish.vitamin k does not react well with apixaban.brocolli is definitely a no.so is pinapple.because it reverses the effects of the tablets.so if you want blood clots.carry on eating loads of veg.but you will regret it.i know because I have had ten.aand it's no fun.

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to CDreamer

Check with your doctor you are wrong

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to gordeno8

I’m afraid you need to check your facts. Apixaban is a direct oral Factor Xa inhibitor. The efficacy of Apixaban is NOT a VitK antagonist and therefor NOT affected by any foods - please see the NHS website for info if you don’t believe me

nhs.uk/medicines/apixaban/c...

Wafarin on the other hand is Vit K inhibitor and as things like green leafy veg are rich in VitK if you alter your intake of green leafy veg you may get unstable INR and unless INR is in range - you won’t be protected.

Both Bob and I have been around the block and back on anticoagulants and have experience and some knowledge.

If your doctor is telling you that you shouldn’t eat green leafy veg because of Vit K when you take Apixaban than I would change your doctor because has given you duff info.

VitK is essential for good health, especially bone health and as we age so finding a way of getting enough Vit K is important and it’s best absorbed via foods. I’ve never taken Wafarin but my understanding is that you adjust your Wafarin dose to suit your diet - not the other way around.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner

The idea here is that green leafy veg 'thins the blood'. Certainly, with my bleeding disorder (HHT) the specialist professor said she should advise me to eat less fruit and veg as it made nose bleeds (in my case) worse. But we agreed that was a bit draconian. I did read,of someone with HHT who started having daily veg smoothies and had to stop because her nosebleeds got too bad. In my case, I did notice that it did affect it, but not as much as alcohol!

None of which answers your question though, but I thought it was interesting!

Suffice to say, yes it could affect clotting, but the best person to check with is your GP as none of us are doctors on this site (are we?). I certainly eat lots of fruit and veg and take apaxiban too. I probably wouldnt risk the cabbage diet or something very stupidly high in veg though (I like my grub too much anyway).

Just to put the record straight on this post. I have just watched the interview on This Morning and it was a general attempt to make viewers aware of the affects some foods can have on a variety of different medications. Although the general term “anticoagulants” was used many times, it was clear that speaker was referring to Warfarin. As with many generalised, time restricted interviews, it was not possible for the speaker to go into exceptions such as DOAC’s which we know are not affected by green vegetables.

One good thing which will make BobD a happy bunny is that the term “blood thinners” was not used at all!!!

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45

In any case even with Warfarin you can eat as many greens as you want. It's just a matter of adjusting the dose. Jajarunner is wrong in thinking the vitamin K in green leafy vegetables "thin the blood", when they have the opposite effect. When my INR was 2.6 on admission to hospital for removal of my appendix, I was given vitamin K to restore my blood INR to the normal 1.0. Anticoagulants don't thin the blood, just make it less likely to clot.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner in reply to Thomas45

I didn't say vitamin K 'thins the blood'. Vitamin K is a Coagulent and does the opposite.

However there are many other factors/phytochemicals etc in vegetables that do make the blood 'thinner' (used in the colloquial sense, of less likely to clot) hence why they are good for your heart (but not so good for your clotting as explained by the HHT professor I mentioned).

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45 in reply to Jajarunner

You said "The idea here is that green leafy veg 'thins the blood'" and then went on to say you had been advised not to eat fruit and veg because of your nosebleeds

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner in reply to Thomas45

I didn't say I agreed with it though. I just thought it was an interesting point. I ignore the advice to cut down on fruit and veg because I think the benefits way outweigh the disadvantages. 🍎🍒🥝🥗🥕🥬🥦

Keep safe 😀

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to Thomas45

It's the exact opposite.be careful,think safe , check it first.i spent 2 years finding out

DGET1 profile image
DGET1

I've never heard that and zi take Apixaban. I eat anything and everything.

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to DGET1

Well I hope you don't eat broccoli, grapefruit,or pineapple.they are a definite no will apixaban.i have been on them for 7years.i can assure you they do make you I'll.

wilsond profile image
wilsond

Makes me angry when information that is meant to help people understand is actually the reverse. All it takes is a little research ...

Bob is right ,Warfarin is the one where you have to be aware of some food s ...although don't need to stop eating altogether! Xx

Tryfan profile image
Tryfan

If it did "thin the blood" I should have melted down the nearest drain by now. As fortunately I love all fruit and most veg, green purple and every colour. Eat little meat and seem ok.

bassets profile image
bassets

I'm a vegetarian on Apixaban and eat lots of leafy greens. I was told this no-go only applies to Warfarin. :)

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to bassets

No it doesn't.also applies to apixaban.to much vitamin k reverses the effects.

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo

Another reason why I shouldn't be eating that 'orrible green stuff!

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac

I am on apixaban and haven't been told to stop anything. My brother-in-law who is on warfarin does have to watch his green veg, believe it or not, lettuce!!!!

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to Tapanac

No neither was i.pinapple . broccoli,liver , beetroot.will all make you I'll.as will smoking and alcohol.i stopped 7years ago after 54 years.i had 10 blood clots.

Palpman profile image
Palpman

My food eats green stuff.

benmaise profile image
benmaise

I am taking Warfarin and eats lots of green veg. The doctor adjusts the dose to suit.

They may have meant not to over do it by eating too much leafy greens .

Morzine profile image
Morzine

Awe I think you can eat greens fine.

I think there’s a miss understanding Apixaban, is a diferent anticlotter

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to Morzine

You all need too check with you pharmacy.you are all wrong.vitamin k reverses the effects of the tablets

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8 in reply to Morzine

Am sorry but you are wrong.small amounts in moderation

gordeno8 profile image
gordeno8

That is correct a lot of greens have vitamin k reverses the effects of the tablets.broccolli is worst.

Morzine profile image
Morzine in reply to gordeno8

interesting

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