Why is Mixing Xarelto and Alcohol Dangerous?

Xarelto is a blood thinner that treats and helps prevent blood clots related to specific conditions involving the heart and blood vessels.


What is Xarelto?

Xarelto or Rivaroxaban is a blood thinner that treats and helps prevent blood clots related to specific conditions involving the heart and blood vessels. Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism are some conditions that Xarelto can treat.

Platelets and other components, named and numbered, each serving a crucial part in the blood clotting process, including clotting factors. Xarelto and alcohol shouldn’t be taken simultaneously because both act as blood thinners that may cause bleeding more frequently than usual. When you’re hurt, the blood clotting process is critical. But occasionally, a blood clot might develop in a deep leg vein or an artery supplying your heart, brain, or lungs. A heart attack may result from a blood clot restricting blood flow to the heart. A stroke may result if it determines the blood supply to the brain. In this group of patients, the use of blood thinners is widespread.

Xarelto prevents blood clots from forming and growing larger by inhibiting Factor Xa during the blood clotting process. In contrast to earlier medications like Warfarin, Xarelto is a new type of oral anticoagulant that does not need regular blood testing.

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Mixing Alcohol and Xarelto

Xarelto may cause side effects, much like most medications. Combining blood thinner Xarelto and alcohol consumption may make these negative effects worse.

Xarelto is an oral blood thinner frequently recommended stopping blood clots and strokes. Between two and three million Americans are thought to use blood thinners like Xarelto. Up to six million Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation, a heart dysrhythmia, which Xarelto treats.

Stroke is the leading cause of disability among American adults and the fourth leading cause of death, and uncontrolled atrial fibrillation can result in it. Therefore, it is acceptable to say that blood thinners like Xarelto can sometimes save lives.

Xarelto and alcohol are known to thin the blood, so it is not recommended to take both simultaneously.
Xarelto and alcohol are known to thin the blood, so it is not recommended to take both simultaneously.
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Xarelto and Alcohol Interactions

Both alcohol and Xarelto are blood thinners, and when they are used together, the risk of side effects increases. There is an increased chance of minor to significant bleeding issues in particular.

Xarelto alcohol interaction may cause minor bleeding, including nosebleeds, bruises, and bleeding gums. Major bleeding occurrences, including heavier-than-usual menstrual flow, bloody respiratory problems, and painful headaches, are also possible. The most serious bleeding is internal bleeding since it is more difficult to diagnose and can be fatal.

According to studies, alcohol may have anticoagulant properties in small doses that function almost like blood thinners. It has been shown that fibrinogen, another protein crucial for blood clotting, decreases concentration when alcohol, or ethanol, is consumed. Therefore, combining Xarelto alcohol may cause your blood to have a stronger anticoagulant effect.

Xarelto may cause side effects, much like most medications. Combining Xarelto and alcohol may make these negative effects worse.
Xarelto may cause side effects, much like most medications. Xarelto and alcohol intake may make these negative effects worse.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Xarelto?

Can you drink alcohol on Xarelto? Drinking alcohol while taking blood thinners like Xarelto is typically not advised. Aspirin and warfarin are two additional medications with blood-thinning properties. In most circumstances, avoiding mixing alcohol and blood thinners is best because doing so increases the risk of bleeding. While taking blood thinners, you might be able sometimes to consume alcohol if your doctor allows it.

Depending on how much alcohol is consumed when taking blood-thinning medication, your body responds to alcohol use differently. Can you drink alcohol while on Xarelto? Drinking occasionally while taking Xarelto does not significantly increase your risk and does not affect how well it works. Alcohol briefly affects platelets in the body when consumed in moderation.

According to some studies, alcohol consumption may be up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Heavy drinking is defined as exceeding the standards for alcohol consumption, and the combined effects of heavy drinking and Xarelto may cause severe blood thinning.

How Much Alcohol Can You Safely Drink while Taking Xarelto?

While taking Xarelto, it should be safe to consume alcohol in moderation occasionally. The majority of the time, a woman or man may sometimes have one drink or two drinks within 24 hours. However, avoiding exceeding these limitations and consuming alcohol continuously for more than a few days would be best. The risk of serious bleeding issues with Xarelto can increase if you continue to consume large amounts of alcohol.

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Alcohol and Xarelto Side Effects

The most concerning side effect that doctors and people who use blood thinners worry about is bleeding. Blood thinners actively thin the blood and stop it from clotting or coagulating, which is important for people at risk for strokes.

The thinner blood, however, could produce unintended or harmful bleeding. Common side effects of Xarelto and alcohol include:

  • Several nosebleeds
  • Bleeding from shaving for up to five minutes
  • Prolonged bleeding from skin rips or minor wounds

Alcohol is known to thin the blood, and some researchers suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may even have blood-thinning effects. As a result, individuals who use blood thinners like Xarelto must be cautious about alcohol consumption.

When taking Xarelto, bleeding incidents that pose a life-threatening risk can potentially happen. The combination of Xarelto with alcohol carries a higher risk of stroke, falls, and physical harm. Also, alcohol and Xarelto together can raise the risk of serious bleeding episodes like:

  • Blood is seen in the feces or urine
  • Blood or blood clots being coughed up
  • Any bleeding from a cut or wound that goes on for more than ten minutes
  • More intense than usual menstrual flow
  • Abnormal bruises that enlarge
  • Bad headaches

All these side effects are danger signs that a patient may have uncontrolled bleeding and need immediate medical attention.

Xarelto alcohol restrictions are set to help prevent life-threatening side effects from occurring.
Xarelto alcohol restrictions are set to help prevent life-threatening side effects from occurring.

Xarelto and Alcohol Liver

The liver is where Xarelto is mostly processed. Because of this, it is not advised for persons with severe liver disease, especially liver issues related to blood-clotting issues, to use Xarelto (coagulopathy). If you have severe liver disease in addition to taking Xarelto, your risk of bleeding may increase. The liver rarely sustains direct harm from Xarelto.

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Alcohol and Blood Thinners Xarelto

Can you drink alcohol with Xarelto? Your doctor may recommend blood thinners to prevent blood clots that could result in a heart attack or stroke. If one of these medications has been recommended by your doctor, it is likely because you have heart disease or another condition that raises your risk of blood clots.

Alcohol should not be used to thin the blood. In addition to raising your chances of suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, excessive consumption also increases your risk of:

  • Injuries brought on by falls, car accidents, and other mishaps
  • Due to unsafe sexual habits, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are spread
  • Liver illness
  • Depression
  • Abdominal bleeding
  • Malignancies of the esophagus, breast, mouth, throat, liver, and colon
  • Usage during pregnancy causes birth abnormalities and miscarriage
  • Alcoholism or alcohol dependency

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Xarelto and Alcohol Use

Can I drink alcohol while taking Xarelto? If you use blood thinners, find out from your doctor if drinking alcohol is safe. Your blood thins when you drink alcohol or take blood thinners like Warfarin. Combining the two medications may intensify the anticoagulant effect and raise your risk of bleeding.

Additionally, alcohol may slow down the rate at which your body eliminates and breaks down the blood-thinning medication. This may result in a potentially harmful drug accumulation in your body.

Can I drink alcohol with Xarelto? If you consume alcohol while taking blood thinners, do so cautiously. For people 65 and older, that limits it to one drink daily. Up to two drinks per day are considered moderate for men under the age of 65.

Dealing with alcohol addiction? Get treated at one of our treatment centers!
Dealing with alcohol addiction? Get treated at one of our treatment centers!

Xarelto and Alcoholism Treatment

Excellent evidence-based rehabilitation treatment programs are available at We level Up NJ. Each client receives a customized treatment plan for their unique needs in dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction. Our state-of-the-art full-service rehabilitation care includes medically assisted detoxification, MAT for alcohol addiction, residential inpatient rehab, and co-occurring mental health counseling. Treatment services may vary per facility.

Xarelto and alcohol can be deadly, especially when not treated immediately. Without medical aid, the detoxification process from prescription drugs can be painful and challenging. Detox, though, must be completed to continue receiving therapy. With a 24-hour medical team on call, We Level Up NJ offers the right care to help you through our medically assisted detox program. Take back your life, then. To speak with one of our therapy experts, give us a call. Our counselors will respond to your queries since they understand your situation.

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