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FAQs Minerals & Supplements: CoQ10 & Blood Thinners
“Can I take the supplement CoQ10 while on Eliquis for Atrial Fibrillation? On your site it says CoQ10 could be helpful. But on my bottle of CoQ10, it says “do not take if you are on blood thinners”.
First, let’s look at the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin), and the use of CoQ10. According to Wikipedia:
“Coenzyme Q10 has potential to inhibit the effects of warfarin (Coumadin), a potent anticoagulant, by reducing the International Normalized Ratio (INR). The structure of Coenzyme Q10 is very much similar to the structure of vitamin K, which competes with and counteracts warfarin’s anticoagulation effects. Coenzyme Q10 should be avoided in patients currently taking warfarin due to the increased risk of clotting.”
Eliquis Works Differently Than Other Blood Thinners
Now, moving on to Eliquis, a blood thinner that works differently than warfarin (Coumadin). Eliquis is a direct factor Xa inhibitor, while warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, functions by slowing the production of blood clotting proteins made in the liver.
Eliquis is a “single key activated factor,” while warfarin affects many different steps in the anticoagulant process. Vitamin K foods aren’t restricted with Eliquis. That might indicate that you could take CoQ10 with Eliquis. But Eliquis is so new we have little research to definitively say this.
Dr. Stephen Sinatra, in his book “Reverse Heart Disease Now” p. 152, talks about the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) and CoQ10:
“Doctors should carefully monitor PT/INR in patients using Coumadin, especially if they feel CoQ10 therapy is also indicated. Careful monitoring can allow the successful therapeutic use of both. One need not exclude the other. We have used this combination safely in hundreds of our patients over the years. We have had to adjust the Coumadin level only on rare occasions.”
We Can’t Measure if CoQ10 Affects Eliquis
But using the International Normalized Ratio (INR) to monitor dosage levels doesn’t work with Eliquis. Currently we don’t have a consistent method of measuring how much Eliquis is thinning the blood. Consequently we can’t tell if CoQ10 is reducing the effectiveness of Eliquis.
Until we learn more about Eliquis and have a way to measure its blood thinning effectiveness in particular patients like we can for Coumadin, we are in the dark about how CoQ10 affects Eliquis.
The bottom line for you is that, from what we now know, you should be able to take CoQ10 with Eliquis. (The same logic would apply to the other new factor Xa inhibitors Xarelto and Edoxaban.) Though this is obviously a question for your doctor who knows your health history.
Don’t start taking CoQ10 with Eliquis without consulting your doctor or healthcare provider.
Return to: FAQ Minerals & Supplements
Last updated: Monday, June 18, 2018
