What Happens When You Drink Grapefruit Juice With Methadone?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Exposure to substances like grapefruit juice, that inhibit these isoenzymes may result

in increased blood levels of methadone

, and thus may manifest clinically as unexpected opioid toxicity.

Can you eat grapefruit while taking methadone?

Grapefruit juice

can increase the blood levels and effects of methadone

. If you regularly consume grapefruits or grapefruit juice, you should be monitored for side effects and/or changes in methadone levels. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Does grapefruit juice interact with methadone?

Various studies demonstrate that through CYP3A4 inhibition, grapefruit juice increases serum levels of opioids, such as methadone, though

no clinically significant effects have been reported

. Conclusions: Grapefruit juice inhibits the metabolism of methadone, raising its serum levels.

Can you drink grapefruit juice with opioids?

Drinking grapefruit juice regularly while

taking opioids could increase the bioavailability of the opioid

. Some people who abuse opioids may attempt to do this to increase the psychoactive effects of the drug. This practice can be potentially dangerous.

Which drug is not affected by grapefruit juice?

Some statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs):

lovastatin (Mevacor)

, atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor). (Other statins such as fluvastatin (Lescol), pravastatin (Pravachol), and rosuvastatin (Crestor) have little or no interaction with grapefruit juice.)

What are the side effects of drinking grapefruit juice?

Eating a grapefruit or consuming its juices while taking certain medications could lead to

gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure, depressed breathing and sudden death

, warns a new paper in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

How long does grapefruit juice stay in your system?

One whole grapefruit or one glass of grapefruit juice is enough to alter how these medications affect you. Its

effects last several days

. Grapefruit’s ability to affect medication lasts for 1–3 days. Taking your medication a few hours apart from consuming it isn’t long enough.

How does grapefruit juice effect hydrocodone?

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice

may increase the plasma concentrations of hydrocodone

. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocodone by certain compounds present in grapefruit.

Does grapefruit juice affect codeine?

Grapefruit juice, a CYP3A4 inhibitor,

may increase plasma concentrations of codeine

, a CYP3A4 substrate. This may increase or prolong codeine-related toxicities including respiratory depression. Advise patients accordingly; patient monitoring and dosage adjustments may be necessary if grapefruit is consumed regularly.

Does grapefruit intensify high?

Compounds in grapefruit called

furanocoumarin chemicals are the cause of the increased medication potency

. These chemicals interact with the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme, found in the small intestine and liver, which partially inactivates many medications under normal circumstances.

How much grapefruit juice causes a drug interaction?


One whole grapefruit or 200 mL of grapefruit juice

is sufficient to cause clinically relevant increased systemic drug concentration and subsequent adverse effects.

Why can’t you have grapefruit with blood pressure medicine?

They’re used as part of the treatment of conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and coronary heart disease. Grapefruit juice interacts with some calcium channel blockers and increases the level of the medicine in your blood.

Is grapefruit juice good for high blood pressure?

1. Citrus fruits. Citrus fruits, including grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, may have

powerful blood-pressure-lowering effects

. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that may help keep your heart healthy by reducing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure ( 4 ).

What happens if I drink grapefruit juice everyday?

Regularly consuming grapefruit is thought to

improve heart health

by reducing risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. In one study, people who ate grapefruit three times daily for six weeks experienced significant reductions in blood pressure over the course of the study.

How much grapefruit juice should you drink a day?

If you plan on consuming grapefruit juice every day, you should make sure you select a pure form of the juice that doesn’t contain added sugars. This will help avoid weight gain and blood sugar spikes. Try to limit your intake to

6 ounces a day

to make sure you are not consuming too many calories.

Does grapefruit burn belly fat?

Sorry, but

grapefruit doesn’t burn fat

. There have been a few studies about grapefruit and weight loss. In one, obese people who ate half a grapefruit before meals for 12 weeks lost more weight than those who didn’t eat or drink any grapefruit products.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.