Is it Best to take Eliquis on an Empty Stomach?

As a widely prescribed anticoagulant or blood thinner, Eliquis is used to prevent blood clots and reduce stroke risk in people with conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). Just like with any medication, timing and how it is taken impact how well it will work. You might have heard conflicting information about whether taking Eliquis on an empty stomach is preferred. Let’s clarify this to help you make the most informed decision about your Eliquis treatment.

The Short Answer: Food Doesn’t Matter Much

Fortunately, Eliquis is one of those prescription medications where the presence or absence of food does not significantly impact its absorption or effectiveness. You can take Eliquis with or without food, making it a flexible and convenient option for managing your health.

Why the Flexibility?

Here is a quick breakdown of how Eliquis works and why you can take it even on an empty stomach or with a meal:

• Mechanism of Action: Eliquis prevents the formation of blood clots by targeting a specific clotting factor in your body. This process differs from how warfarin interacts with Vitamin K-rich foods.
• Absorption Rate: Eliquis is quickly and efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream with or without food.
• Clinical Studies: Studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of Eliquis allowed participants to take their medication with or without food, and the results demonstrated no significant difference between the two approaches.

Potential Benefits of Taking Eliquis on an Empty Stomach

While food will not interfere, there might be a couple of minor advantages to taking Eliquis on an empty stomach:

• Potential for Faster Absorption: Taking medications like Eliquis on an empty stomach might lead to slightly quicker absorption. However, with Eliquis, this difference is likely negligible.
• Reducing Mild Stomach Upset: If you occasionally experience mild stomach discomfort when taking Eliquis with food, switching to taking it on an empty stomach might potentially help minimize this side effect.

Reasons Why Taking Eliquis with Food Can Be a Smart Choice

Sometimes, it is also perfectly fine and even preferable to take Eliquis alongside food:

• Routine and Convenience: If taking your medication with breakfast or dinner helps you establish a consistent routine, this can improve adherence, which is crucial for successful blood thinner therapy.
• Minimizing Nausea: For some patients, taking Eliquis with food can help minimize the risk of nausea, which is occasionally reported as a side effect of this prescription medication.
• Other Medications: If you need to take other medications or supplements on an empty stomach, it might be simpler to schedule them together and then take Eliquis with a meal.

The Most Important Factor: Consistency

Ultimately, the most important thing is to take your Eliquis as prescribed by your healthcare provider, at roughly the same time each day. Whether you choose to do this on an empty stomach or with food is up to you. Consistency ensures stable levels of the medication within your system for optimal therapeutic benefit.

When Specific Timing Might Matter

There are a few scenarios where your healthcare provider might have individualized recommendations regarding your Eliquis intake:

• Specific Medical Conditions: If you have certain digestive or absorption issues, your doctor might suggest a specific timing strategy for your medication.
• Other Medications: In some rare cases, if you take a medication known to interact with Eliquis, your healthcare provider could advise taking this medication at spaced-out intervals to minimize potential interactions.
• Surgery or Procedures: Your healthcare provider will provide specific instructions about Eliquis dosage adjustments or temporarily stopping your intake before any surgeries or procedures that you may need to undergo.

Communicate with Your Healthcare Team

The best approach to taking Eliquis, with or without food, is always to discuss any concerns that you may have about it with your trusted healthcare professional. Here is why this matters:

• Your Preference: Share what works best for you regarding food and medication timing. Your healthcare provider will be able to factor your convenience into ensuring a successful Eliquis treatment plan for you.
• Individual Needs: Your healthcare provider understands your specific health history and any circumstances that might influence their recommendations.

Get your prescription medication from Pharmaserve

In case you are considering taking Eliquis or you already want to buy Eliquis, do feel free to contact us so we can provide you with the assistance you need. In case you have already been taking Eliquis, you may also share your experience with Eliquis therapy. How satisfied are you with its results so far, and would you recommend it to other patients?

In case you need any assistance or you have some queries about ordering, you may also chat with a customer service representative before you finalize your order. PharmaServe is a safe, reliable, and convenient way to ensure that you are able to secure the medications that you need.

References and Further Reading

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/apixaban/how-and-when-to-take-apixaban/

https://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/diagnosis-treatment/treatments/btpills/btpills.html