Whenever you start a new medication, it’s important to look at everything that you are consuming and how it could interact. Caffeine, and by extension, coffee, is a drink that you often need to reconsider when you start medication.
Is it safe to drink coffee with Xarelto (rivaroxaban), or will you need to find a new way to perk up in the mornings? Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about drug interactions. But for many people, drinking coffee while taking Xarelto is not a problem. We break down everything that you need to know here!
Can You Drink Coffee While Taking Xarelto?
While we highly recommend talking to your doctor or pharmacist before drinking coffee or other high-caffeine-content drinks while taking Xarelto, GoodRx states that you can drink coffee while taking Xarelto.
However, this study highlighted the effects of Warfarin, another anticoagulant, and caffeine intake and concluded that you should avoid them.
Due to the disparities, we don’t want to make a judgment call one way or the other. We highly recommend that you reach out to your doctor for advice to get the most accurate information for your specific health situation.
What Foods and Drinks Should You Avoid While Taking Xarelto?
While the data is inconclusive on whether you can drink coffee while taking Xarelto, WebMD has one recommendation on something that you should not drink: grapefruit juice.
It has to do with the plasma concentrations inside the drug and the way that they interact with grapefruit, so unless your clinical provider specifically tells you to do it, you should not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Xarelto.
Can You Drink Alcohol With Xarelto?
While we highly recommend reaching out to your physician before consuming alcoholic beverages while taking Xarelto, the physicians at NiceRx say that it’s fine to consume small amounts of alcohol while taking Xarelto.
The team states that it’s fine for most women to consume one alcoholic beverage over 24 hours while taking Xarelto, and it’s fine for most men to consume two alcoholic beverages over 24 hours.
But again, it’s a good idea to talk to your physician about the risks of Xarelto and alcohol before consuming any.
What Other Medications Does Coffee Interfere With?
While it seems like it’s probably safe to consume coffee with Xarelto, that doesn’t mean you can keep drinking coffee no matter what kind of medications you’re on.
According to WebMD, there are many medications that coffee can interact with. Here are several of the most common types of medications that can interact with coffee. If you have any concerns about your coffee consumption and the medications that you’re on, reach out to your physician for specific advice.
- Ephedrine
- Adenosine
- Alendronate
- Antibiotics
- Birth control pills
- Cimetidine
- Clozapine
- Dipyridamole
- Disulfiram
- Estrogens
- Fluvoxamine
- Levothyroxine
- Lithium
- MAOIs
- Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelets
- Pentobarbital
- Phenylpropanolamine
- Riluzole
- Stimulants
- Theophylline
- Verapamil
- Asthma medications
- Nicotine
- Water pills
Conclusion
Medication and your body are complicated topics, which is why we highly recommend finding a physician whom you trust and developing a good relationship with them. This way, they will know your medical situation and can advise you on what you should and shouldn’t consume.
It’s all a great deal of information to take in, and anytime you add a new medication, it’s only going to get more complicated. It’s why physicians spend years in medical school, and it’s why you should trust their advice when they give it to you.
Featured Image Credit: Brett Jordan, Unsplash
