There are now more than 85 drugs that may interact with grapefruit. The list includes some statins that lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin), some antibiotics, cancer drugs, and heart drugs.
Grapefruit contains furanocoumarins, which block an enzyme that normally breaks down certain medications in the body helping in elimination of drugs. When it is not possible, drugs accumulate in body and may reach toxic level.
It’s not just grapefruits, either. Other citrus fruits such as Seville oranges (often used in marmalade), limes, and pomelos also contain the active ingredients (furanocoumarins).
Drugs that interact with grapefruit are taken by mouth. The degree of the grapefruit effect can vary. With some drugs, just one serving of grapefruit can make it seem like a person is taking multiple doses of the drug.
For example, simvastatin, when taken with about a 7-ounce glass of grapefruit juice once a day for three days, produced a 330% greater concentration of the drug compared to taking it with water. This can cause life-threatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis.
The researchers note that grapefruit interaction is specific to certain drugs and doesn’t necessarily affect an entire drug class. This can allow for grapefruit-friendly options.
It is better to Double check with your doctor or pharmacist, as it doesn’t really require a lot of grapefruit juice to produce a dangerous interaction.
This article was published online in the Medscape News.
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| Grapefruit Schnitt rose Zypern (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
It’s not just grapefruits, either. Other citrus fruits such as Seville oranges (often used in marmalade), limes, and pomelos also contain the active ingredients (furanocoumarins).
Drugs that interact with grapefruit are taken by mouth. The degree of the grapefruit effect can vary. With some drugs, just one serving of grapefruit can make it seem like a person is taking multiple doses of the drug.
For example, simvastatin, when taken with about a 7-ounce glass of grapefruit juice once a day for three days, produced a 330% greater concentration of the drug compared to taking it with water. This can cause life-threatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis.
The researchers note that grapefruit interaction is specific to certain drugs and doesn’t necessarily affect an entire drug class. This can allow for grapefruit-friendly options.
It is better to Double check with your doctor or pharmacist, as it doesn’t really require a lot of grapefruit juice to produce a dangerous interaction.
This article was published online in the Medscape News.
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