Fish Oil and Ticagrelor, a caution.
Fish oil's omega-3 fatty acids reduce platelet thromboxane A2 generation and modestly prolong bleeding time. Added to ticagrelor's P2Y12 inhibition, high-dose fish oil (more than 3 g/day EPA+DHA) can additively raise bleeding risk, particularly around procedures.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
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What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Fish Oil and Ticagrelor
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Emerging
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Emerging evidence
Caution
What is happening. Fish oil's omega-3 fatty acids reduce platelet thromboxane A2 generation and modestly prolong bleeding time. Added to ticagrelor's P2Y12 inhibition, high-dose fish oil (more than 3 g/day EPA+DHA) can additively raise bleeding risk, particularly around procedures.
Mechanism. EPA and DHA displace arachidonic acid in platelet membranes, reducing thromboxane A2 generation and platelet aggregation. This adds to ticagrelor's blockade of ADP-mediated platelet activation via P2Y12.
Recommendation. Keep fish oil dose modest (≤2 g/day combined EPA+DHA) on ticagrelor and keep the dose constant. Stop fish oil at least 7 days before any planned surgery.
Sources (2)
- Watson PD, Joy PS, Nkonde C, Hessen SE, Karalis DG. Comparison of bleeding complications with omega-3 fatty acids + aspirin + clopidogrel--versus--aspirin + clopidogrel in patients with cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2009;104(8):1052-4. PMID 19801023
- Buckley MS, Goff AD, Knapp WE. Fish oil interaction with warfarin. Ann Pharmacother. 2004;38(1):50-2. PMID 14742793
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Fish Oil and Ticagrelor are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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