A 2016 review suggests that significant daily alcohol consumption increases the activity of platelets. Since blood thinners and alcohol are both anticoagulants, taking them together can cause serious issues. Mixing these medications with alcohol intensifies the side effects and increases the risk of a fatal overdose. One of the deadliest combinations is alcohol and narcotic pain medications. On their own, opioids can cause drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss. Some research has found that alcohol does not appear to worsen liver inflammation in certain people who take medication for their cholesterol.

The International Normalized Ratio blood test measures how fast your blood clots and lets the doctor know if your dose needs to be changed. Testing your blood helps your doctor keep you in a safe range. If there is too much blood thinner in your body, you blood thinners and alcohol could bleed too much. However, many people aren’t aware of these risks, even if they are written on the medication label. The combined effects of blood thinner medications and alcohol are dangerous because they can cause excessive bruising and bleeding.

Can you drink alcohol while you are on blood thinners?

Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. For a list of foods that contain vitamin K, go to and search for vitamin K. Talk to your doctor about every medication and over-the-counter product that you take.

It may also occur in areas with low pressure, such as the brain (i.e., subdural hematoma). Blood thinners are drugs that prevent blood clots from forming. Doctors may advise people taking these medications to moderate their alcohol intake.

Can I drink alcohol while taking blood thinners?

If your health benefits include Express Scripts® Pharmacy, you can reach out to our specially trained pharmacists 24/7. They can answer all of your medication questions and advise you on whether any ingredients in your current medications can interact with alcohol or anything else. They may also be able suggest an alternative medication that’s less risky to take with alcohol. Light drinking can lower your blood pressure, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Alcohol doesn’t lower your blood pressure by a significant amount.

For example, if you are drinking alcohol, make sure your doctor knows. Tell them about any medications you are taking and if there are any symptoms that you have experienced that may be related to those medications or your condition. You should also let them know if any lifestyle changes in the last several months affected the treatment plan. It is used to prevent or treat blood clots in veins, arteries, or the heart, which can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious conditions. Doctors warn people who are taking Aggrenox to moderate their alcohol consumption.