Fish oilCan you take fish oil with blood thinners?
Short answer
Studies found little added bleeding risk, but this needs a doctor's review. Most research finds that 3 to 6 g a day of fish oil does not significantly change how warfarin works. Package inserts of prescription omega-3 still call for regular checks of INR, a clotting test.[1]
A 2024 review of 11 trials and 120,643 people found no overall rise in bleeding. Antiplatelet medicines, which stop blood cells called platelets from clumping, did not change the result.[2] High doses of purified EPA were the exception: relative risk rose by 50%, but absolute risk by only 0.6 percentage points.[2] Anyone who takes a blood thinner should ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting fish oil.[1]
Sources (2)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
- Bleeding Risk in Patients Receiving Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Javaid M, Kadhim K, Bawamia B, Cartlidge T, Farag M, Alkhalil M J Am Heart Assoc, 2024. PMID 38742535
More about fish oil
What is fish oil?Does fish oil reduce inflammation?How much EPA and DHA is in a fish oil capsule?Is eating fish better than taking fish oil?What is fish oil used for?Should fish oil be taken with food?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.