doac
5 interactions related to doac
apixaban + fish oil
Apixaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor that raises bleeding risk on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have a mild antiplatelet effect that can theoretically add to that risk. A large 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that typical supplement-level omega-3 intake did not significantly raise bleeding risk, with only a small absolute increase seen at very high, prescription-strength doses. Standard fish oil is generally compatible with apixaban when the prescriber is aware, while high-dose omega-3 should be cleared with a clinician.
rivaroxaban + fish oil
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have a mild antiplatelet effect, slightly shifting platelet thromboxane production and modestly lengthening bleeding time. Rivaroxaban blocks Factor Xa to reduce clotting. The two act through different pathways, so the combination is additive in theory, but clinical evidence suggests the real-world bleeding effect is small. A large randomized trial found no increase in bleeding even with high-dose fish oil.
rivaroxaban + ginkgo
Rivaroxaban is a Factor Xa inhibitor and ginkgo has mild antiplatelet activity, so combining them was theorized to add to bleeding risk. However, a controlled trial in healthy subjects found standardized EGb 761 ginkgo extract did not change rivaroxaban's pharmacokinetics, anti-Factor Xa activity, or coagulation parameters, and caused no bleeding-related adverse events.
apixaban + st. john's wort
St. John's wort strongly induces both CYP3A4 (apixaban's main metabolizing enzyme) and P-glycoprotein (its efflux transporter). Taken together, it speeds apixaban's breakdown and clearance, lowering blood levels and weakening clot protection, which raises the risk of stroke or thromboembolism.
dabigatran + st. john's wort
St. John's wort can modestly induce the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter that dabigatran depends on for absorption. With repeated use this may lower dabigatran blood levels somewhat, in theory reducing clot protection. The measured effect in human studies is weak and there are no reported thrombosis cases from the pairing, but because dabigatran is given for serious clotting conditions and the herb's effect lingers after stopping, the combination is best avoided.