Is it safe to drink tonic water if on blood thinner?

Tonic water contains quinine, which can interfere with the effectiveness of certain blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin). Quinine can increase the risk of bleeding by competing with warfarin for binding sites on proteins in the blood. For this reason, people taking warfarin should avoid consuming large amounts of quinine, including tonic water.

Warfarin: People who take the blood thinner warfarin to prevent blood clots should not drink tonic water. Quinine can interact with warfarin, affecting the way blood clots and potentially leading to an increased risk of bleeding and/or stroke.

Other Blood Thinners: While quinine can interact with warfarin, it does not seem to affect many of the newer oral anticoagulants (NOACs), also called non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, which include:

> Dabigatran (Pradaxa)

> Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

> Apixaban (Eliquis)

> Edoxaban (Savaysa)

_If you are taking a blood thinner, it is important to avoid consuming quinine in high doses, including in tonic water and some herbal supplements. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss foods, beverages, and supplements to avoid while on blood thinners._