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Does Eliquis Interact With Other Herbal Supplements?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Feb 2016
Question: My dad has stage 4 lung cancer and has had 2 rounds of the chemo Alimpta and Carboplatin. He had a CT scan that showed the tumors had shrunk and there was less fluid. The doctor decided to wait 6 weeks before he has another treatment and rather than just sit and do nothing we would like to be doing some alternative treatment we have researched. The problem is he is on the blood thinner Eliquis for AFib and almost everything has a blood thinner advisory. I am not sure if that includes the newer generation of blood thinners because they generally tend to mention Coumadin as an example. Could you tell me if you think the following are OK to take with Eliquis, and if there is something that you think would be a problem please point it out:
1. He has been eating and drinking a lot of leafy greens, spinach, garlic, ginger, green tea, ect.
2. He is eating about 1 tsp to 1 1/2 tsp of turmeric a day.
3, He is taking a supplement called Tranquiline which includes B vitamins, Calcium, D3, Magnesium,
Tryptophan, Passion flower, L Theanine, Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Green tea extract and GABA.
4. He is using topical Frankincense oil and oil of oregeno.
5. He is planning to start using Bluebird Botanical CBD Hemp oil soon.
6. He is considering starting a mushroom extract, aloe vera supplement and
barley powder.
7, He takes Soursop tea but that is not know to be blooding thinning that I know of.
Please let me know if what he is already taking is acceptable with Eliquis, as well as
adding the hemp oil. Also, please let me know if it would be an issue to add the additional
things listed in #6. Thanks!!!

I forgot to mention that he also takes 2 Aleve a day.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
yes probably these are safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. It is true that older anticoagulants like coumadin are terrible in terms of interactions and even green vegetables or herbal supplements can interfere. But eliquis is not so notorious and the above alternative therapies may be acceptable in him.

However, there is a word of caution as none of these products have been studies along with eliquis in any scientific literature and hence the truth is that nobody actually knows what will happen.

Probably it will not cause any problem but please be careful.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 days later)
1. So do you think he would need to have his blood monitored
or is it enough to watch for bruising and such things as nose
bleeds? His family doctor just contacted us back and gave
the OK for everything but flax oil.
2. Also is it OK to continue such natural therapies when chemo
resumes or should he stop until he goes back on another chemo break?
Thanks so much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
yes better to monitor blood parameters

Detailed Answer:
Usually for eliquis, blood parameters are not monitored but with all these herbal products, we are not sure of interactions. hence it would be wise to monitor blood parameters in addition to clinical monitoring.

natural therapies are ok with chemo in my opinion but again, careful monitoring of blood parameters like liver function tests are required.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (14 hours later)
One last question...Are the blood parameters something they
test for when he gets his blood test before chemo, or is that
something that you have to ask for specifically? And how
often would he need to get this checked and how soon would
it need to begin after he starts all the alternative therapies?
Thank for the help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
no these have to be requested separately

Detailed Answer:
These tests may have to be done every week after starting the supplements. If consecutive 3-4 weeks' reports are normal, then interval may be increased
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Indranil Ghosh

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 1712 Questions

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Does Eliquis Interact With Other Herbal Supplements?

Brief Answer: yes probably these are safe Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your query. It is true that older anticoagulants like coumadin are terrible in terms of interactions and even green vegetables or herbal supplements can interfere. But eliquis is not so notorious and the above alternative therapies may be acceptable in him. However, there is a word of caution as none of these products have been studies along with eliquis in any scientific literature and hence the truth is that nobody actually knows what will happen. Probably it will not cause any problem but please be careful. Hope this helps. Regards