Key takeaways
- Nattokinase is not an NHS treatment. GPs do not prescribe it, and we could find no NHS page on it.
- In the UK it is sold as a food supplement, which legally is food, not medicine.
- The NHS says some remedies and supplements may not mix well with blood thinners such as warfarin and apixaban.
- Do not take it with blood thinners or blood pressure medicines, or if pregnant or breastfeeding. Ask your GP or pharmacist first.
In this guide
No, nattokinase is not available on the NHS. It is not a prescription medicine in the UK, and NHS guidance does not recommend it. It is sold as an ingredient in food supplements.
If you take a blood thinner or a blood pressure medicine, speak to your GP or pharmacist before you try it. NHS pages on anticoagulants say to check any supplement first.
People search “nattokinase NHS” because they want a straight UK answer. Here it is, with the sources.
Is nattokinase available on the NHS?
No. Nattokinase is an enzyme made when soybeans are fermented with Bacillus subtilis to make natto, a traditional Japanese food. Supplements measure it in fibrinolytic units (FU).
We searched nhs.uk in November 2026 and found no page about nattokinase. It does not appear as a medicine your GP can prescribe.
What that means for you: any nattokinase you buy is a food supplement you choose yourself. Your GP has not assessed it for you, so tell them you take it.
What UK law says about supplements like nattokinase
The Food Standards Agency says food supplements are regulated as food, not medicine. Its guidance states they “are not medicinal products” and are “not intended to treat or prevent diseases” (FSA food supplements guidance).
Only authorised health claims can be made on food. Nattokinase has no authorised health claim in Great Britain or the EU. You can check the GB nutrition and health claims register and the EU register.
So be wary of any UK seller that says nattokinase “dissolves clots”, “lowers blood pressure” or “prevents strokes”. Those are medicinal claims and are not allowed on food.
| Question | Licensed medicine | Food supplement (e.g. nattokinase) |
|---|---|---|
| Who regulates it? | MHRA | Food law (FSA and local trading standards) |
| Can a GP prescribe it? | Yes | No |
| Tested for safety with your medicines? | Yes, as part of licensing | Not in the same way |
| Can it claim to treat or prevent disease? | Yes, within its licence | No |
The NHS view on supplements and blood thinners
The NHS warfarin page says: “There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with warfarin.” It tells you not to take St John's wort or vitamin K supplements with warfarin, and to tell your doctor about any “herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements” (NHS: warfarin).
The NHS apixaban page says some “medicines, remedies and supplements” may not mix well with apixaban. It asks you to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any “herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements” (NHS: apixaban with other medicines).
Neither page names nattokinase. But the message is clear: check before you combine any supplement with an anticoagulant.
Do not take nattokinase if you take blood-thinning medicine (such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel or daily aspirin), or blood pressure medicine, unless your GP has said it is OK. Stop and seek medical advice if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding.
Who should not take nattokinase
Based on supplier warnings and NHS advice on supplements, do not take nattokinase without medical advice if you:
- take any blood-thinning or antiplatelet medicine
- take blood pressure medicine
- have a bleeding disorder, or a planned operation or dental surgery
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- are under 18
- have a soy allergy (nattokinase comes from soybeans)
- take any prescription medicine or are under medical supervision
For dose details, see our guide to what 2000 FU means and who should avoid nattokinase.
How to ask your GP or pharmacist
You can ask a community pharmacist without an appointment. Take the tub with you, or a photo of the label, and ask:
- “Is it safe to take this with my current medicines?”
- “Does anything on this label affect bleeding or blood pressure?”
- “Should I stop it before my operation or dental work?”
Ask them to note it on your record. This matters if you are ever admitted to hospital.
Reading a nattokinase label
A responsible UK label should show the FU per capsule, the soy allergen in bold, and a clear warning about blood-thinning and blood pressure medicines. Check the maximum daily dose too.
Also check whether vitamin K2 is included. Natto food is naturally rich in vitamin K2, and some supplements add it. The NHS says not to take vitamin K supplements with warfarin, so this is another reason to ask your GP first.
Our nattokinase blend: who it is for
If your GP or pharmacist is happy for you to take it, our blend puts the warnings first and has a strict one-capsule maximum.
Vegan · Halal & kosher approved
CardioVital NattoBlend
- Nattokinase 100mg (2000 FU), no vitamin K2
- Selenium and vitamin D contribute to the normal function of the immune system
- Max 1 capsule a day. Contains soy
HALAL10 10% off your first order
Shop CardioVital →Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. Nattokinase itself has no authorised claim. For how it compares with beetroot, read our nattokinase vs beetroot guide, and for halal sourcing see is nattokinase halal?
Common questions
Can my GP prescribe nattokinase?
No. It is not a licensed medicine in the UK, so it is not available on prescription. It is sold as a food supplement.
Does the NHS recommend nattokinase?
No. We found no NHS guidance recommending it. The NHS says most people get the nutrients they need from a varied, balanced diet.
Can I take nattokinase with blood pressure tablets?
Not without medical advice. Supplier warnings say not to combine it with blood pressure or blood-thinning medicines. Ask your GP or pharmacist.
Can I take nattokinase with aspirin or warfarin?
Do not combine them unless your doctor has said it is OK. The NHS says to tell your doctor about any supplements before taking warfarin, and lists aspirin among medicines that may not mix well with it.
Should I stop nattokinase before surgery?
Tell your surgeon, dentist and pharmacist that you take it. Follow their advice on when to stop.
Is nattokinase halal?
It can be. It comes from fermented soy, so the source is plant-based. Check the capsule shell and other ingredients. CardioVital is halal approved and vegan.
Sources: NHS: warfarin · NHS: apixaban with other medicines · NHS: vitamins and minerals · FSA: food supplements guidance · GB health claims register · EU health claims register
General information, not medical advice. Nattokinase is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Food supplements should not replace a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Not suitable for under-18s, or if pregnant or breastfeeding. If you take any medication, especially blood-thinning or blood pressure medicine, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
