If you take Eliquis, it makes sense to pause before adding any new vitamin, supplement, powder, gummy, or “immune support” product. Eliquis is a prescription blood thinner, and even products that seem simple or natural can affect your overall safety plan.
For many adults, vitamin C from food is not the same concern as high-dose vitamin C supplements. Eating oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, or potatoes usually provides moderate amounts of vitamin C. Supplements, however, can contain 500 mg, 1,000 mg, or more per serving, and some products include herbs or other ingredients that may matter if you take a blood thinner.
This guide explains whether you can take vitamin C while taking Eliquis or other blood thinners.
Medical note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement, especially if you take a prescription blood thinner such as Eliquis.
Can you take vitamin C with Eliquis?
Vitamin C is not commonly listed as a major direct interaction with Eliquis. But that does not mean vitamin C is always safe for every person who takes Eliquis.
The safest thing to do is to ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking vitamin C supplements while on Eliquis, especially if:
-
- the dose is high,
- you have kidney disease,
- you have a history of bleeding, or
- you take aspirin, NSAIDs, antiplatelet drugs, or other supplements.
Eliquis, also called apixaban, can increase bleeding risk. Your risk increases when it is used with other products that affect hemostasis, including aspirin, NSAIDs, platelet inhibitors, and other anticoagulants.
What does vitamin C do?
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Your body uses it for several normal functions, including collagen production, wound healing, antioxidant activity, immune function, and helping absorb non-heme iron from plant foods. It’s an essential nutrient involved in collagen biosynthesis, antioxidant protection, and immune function.
Adults generally need much less vitamin C than many supplements provide. The recommended dietary allowance is 75 mg per day for adult women and 90 mg per day for adult men. The highest tolerable daily intake for most adults is 2,000 mg per day.
Does vitamin C interact with Eliquis?
There is no strong evidence that ordinary vitamin C intake directly interferes with Eliquis in the way that certain antibiotics, antifungals, seizure medicines, or St. John’s wort can. However, research specifically studying vitamin C supplements plus Eliquis is limited, so it is not accurate to say there is no risk for everyone.
The more practical concern is the person’s total risk picture. Eliquis already increases bleeding risk. That risk may be affected by age, kidney function, other medications, history of bleeding, alcohol use, falls, upcoming procedures, and supplement combinations. Eliquis labeling specifically warns about increased bleeding risk and about concomitant use with other products that affect bleeding.
Vitamin C from food vs. high-dose supplements
Not all vitamin C sources are the same. A cup of fruit or vegetables is very different from a 1,000 mg tablet or a powdered drink mix taken several times a day.
Vitamin C from food
Food sources usually provide vitamin C in moderate amounts along with fiber, water, and other nutrients. Vitamin C-rich foods include:
-
- citrus fruits
- strawberries
- kiwi
- bell peppers
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- potatoes
- tomatoes
- cabbage
For most people, getting vitamin C from food is less likely to cause excessive intake than using high-dose supplements.
Standard-dose supplements
Some multivitamins contain vitamin C close to the daily value. This may be reasonable for some people, but Eliquis users should still check the full label. A multivitamin may contain other ingredients that matter, and people taking multiple supplements may unintentionally double or triple their vitamin C intake.
High-dose vitamin C supplements
High-dose vitamin C products often contain 500 mg or 1,000 mg per serving. Some powders and immune blends can contain even more if taken more than once daily. Large doses of vitamin C supplements can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, heartburn, esophagitis, stomach cramps, headache, and kidney stones in some people.
Possible risks to know before taking Vitamin C with Eliquis
Here are possible risks to know before taking Vitamin C with Eliquis:
Stomach irritation
High-dose vitamin C can irritate the digestive system. This may cause heartburn, cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms are not the same as internal bleeding, but new or severe digestive symptoms should be taken seriously in someone taking Eliquis. This is especially important for people with a history of stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or frequent NSAID use.
Kidney stone risk
High-dose vitamin C can increase urinary oxalate in some people, which may contribute to kidney stone formation. A large prospective cohort analysis published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases found that total and supplemental vitamin C intake were associated with a higher risk of incident kidney stones in men, but not in women.
Interactions with other supplements or medications
Many vitamin C products are combination products. A label may include zinc, elderberry, turmeric, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, echinacea, vitamin E, or other ingredients.
Some herbs and supplements may affect bleeding risk, platelet function, or drug metabolism. Evidence is not equally strong for every supplement. A pharmacist can review the exact product and compare it with your medication list.
Who should be extra cautious?
Some people should be especially careful before taking vitamin C supplements with Eliquis.
Older adults
Older adults may have higher bleeding risk, more medication use, and changes in kidney function. Age was associated with increased major bleeding risk in recent analyses of apixaban-treated populations.
People with a history of kidney disease or kidney stones
People with kidney disease or past kidney stones should ask a healthcare professional before using high-dose vitamin C. High intake may raise oxalate-related stone concerns in some people.
People with a history of bleeding
Use extra caution if you have had:
-
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- bleeding ulcers
- brain bleed or hemorrhagic stroke
- frequent nosebleeds
- heavy or unexplained bruising
- recent surgery
- recent injury or falls
People taking NSAIDs, aspirin, or antiplatelet drugs
This includes:
-
- ibuprofen
- naproxen
- aspirin
- clopidogrel
- other antiplatelet medications
- other anticoagulants
MedlinePlus specifically advises people taking apixaban to discuss aspirin, NSAIDs, and St. John’s wort with their doctor or pharmacist before using them.
People taking multiple supplements
The more products you take, the easier it is to overlook duplicate ingredients or hidden interaction concerns. This is common with immune support products, sleep aids, energy powders, herbal teas, and “heart health” supplements.
Safer ways to get vitamin C through food
Many adults can meet their vitamin C needs through food. This may be a simpler option for people who take Eliquis and want to avoid unnecessary high-dose supplements.
Good food sources include:
-
- oranges
- grapefruit
- strawberries
- kiwi
- cantaloupe
- bell peppers
- broccoli
- brussels sprouts
- cabbage
- potatoes
- tomatoes
Easy ideas:
-
- add strawberries to oatmeal or yogurt
- snack on bell pepper slices
- add broccoli or brussels sprouts to dinner
- use tomatoes in sandwiches or salads
- choose whole fruit more often than juice
- add citrus to meals if it fits your diet
Food-first does not mean every food choice is right for every person. If you have kidney disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, or a restricted diet, ask your healthcare professional what fits your plan.
When to seek medical help
Because Eliquis affects clotting, bleeding symptoms should not be ignored.
Call your doctor or pharmacist soon if you notice:
-
- new or worsening bruising
- more frequent nosebleeds
- bleeding gums
- persistent stomach upset after starting a supplement
- new diarrhea or vomiting
- unusual weakness
- questions about missed eliquis doses
- any plan to start, stop, or change supplements
Seek urgent medical care now if you have red-flag symptoms:
-
- vomiting blood
- vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- red, black, or tar-like stools
- pink, red, or brown urine
- coughing up blood
- severe headache
- sudden weakness, numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, or vision changes
- fainting, severe dizziness, or collapse
- uncontrolled bleeding
- heavy bleeding after a fall or injury
- severe abdominal pain
- any head injury while taking Eliquis, even if you feel okay at first
MedlinePlus warns that apixaban can make bleeding harder to stop and lists serious bleeding symptoms that require medical attention.
Do not stop Eliquis without medical guidance
Do not stop Eliquis because you want to take vitamin C. Do not skip doses to “balance out” a supplement. Stopping Eliquis too soon can increase the risk of blood clots. Eliquis prescribing information includes a boxed warning about increased risk of thrombotic events after premature discontinuation.
If you are worried about an interaction or side effect, call the prescriber or pharmacist. They can help you decide whether to avoid the supplement, adjust the supplement plan, monitor symptoms, or consider another approach.
Bottom line
If you take Eliquis, ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting vitamin C supplements, especially if the dose is high, the product has multiple ingredients, you have kidney disease, you have a history of bleeding, or you take aspirin, NSAIDs, antiplatelet drugs, or other supplements. Keep your care team informed, review supplement labels before using them, and seek urgent help for signs of serious bleeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles
Sources
Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin C. (n.d.). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
How much vitamin C is too much? (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-c/faq-20058030
Ferraro, P. M., Curhan, G. C., Gambaro, G., & Taylor, E. N. (2015). Total, dietary, and supplemental vitamin C intake and risk of incident kidney stones. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 67(3), 400–407. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2015.09.005
APIXabAN: MedlinePlus Drug Information. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613032.html
