Antibiotics, Blood Thinners, and You

Before antibiotics, people frequently died from what we now consider minor infections. There’s no question that they save lives and are sometimes needed.

If you take blood thinners, there are two things you need to know about antibiotics:

  • Many antibiotics interact with anticoagulants and make them more effective, raising the risk of internal bleeding.
  • Some anticoagulants can make certain antibiotics less effective, making the infection not respond to treatment or last longer than needed.

What That Means

You should mention that you take a blood thinner during your visit to the doctor or when you realize that he is prescribing an antibiotic.

Your doctor will automatically avoid prescribing certain antibiotics based on the medication you take, so you don’t have to worry about him choosing one that is less effective.

However, there is sometimes no way to avoid the situation of making your blood thinner more effective.

If you’re sick and your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, he’s made the skilled decision that the risk of interaction is less than the risk of complications from the infection. So, take the antibiotic.

However, it’s VITAL that you also follow through with any lab tests he orders.

Your doctor may need to measure your international normalized ratio (INR) and prothrombin time (PT) to make sure your dosage stays at a level that prevents clots without allowing excessive bleeding.

Your life may depend on him having that information, so don’t skip getting the labs done!

What to Look For

Sometimes drug reactions happen faster or slower than expected. If you see signs that your blood thinner is being too effective, call your doctor right away.

Signs that your dosage might need adjusted include:

  • Increased bruising
  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop
  • Red or black stools (the color of your bowel movement)
  • Nose bleeds

If those symptoms occur, make sure to call your doctor right away.

Other Concerns

If you’re sick enough to take antibiotics, there’s a chance that you’re also more sedentary than usual. If you spend more than two days mostly in bed, your risk of developing a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) increases.

If the clot breaks free, it can cause the life-threatening condition of pulmonary embolism (PE).

If you are also obese, have cancer, have a history of DVT/PE, or are genetically more susceptible, the danger of a clot increases even more.

One way you can help prevent DVT/PE is by using a sequential compression device such as the Medshoola™ Compression Pump. It will increase blood flow in your legs and give you the localized benefits of walking without leaving your bed.

For more information about preventing DVT/PE, and to get your free article, “How to see if YOU are at Risk,” visit: Prevent DVT Now