Does Grapefruit Interfere With Blood Pressure Medicine?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Though

grapefruit does not interfere with most blood pressure medications

, it can cause a few medications to overcorrect blood pressure.

Contents hide

What medications should not be taken with grapefruit?

Examples of common medications that interact with grapefruit juice include certain

statin cholesterol

drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin, simvastatin (Zocor), felodipine (Plendil) and other calcium channel blockers, clarithromycin (Biaxin), and loratadine (Claritin).

What time of day should you take olmesartan?

Take olmesartan tablets once a day. Your doctor may suggest that you take your first dose before bedtime, as it can make you dizzy. After the very first dose you can take olmesartan at any time of day. Usually people take

olmesartan in the morning

, but it doesn't really matter.

Can you take Benicar and eat grapefruit?

Drug and food interactions

You should

avoid the consumption

of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with simvastatin.

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. Seville oranges, (often used in marmalades), limes and pomelos also produce this interaction.

How long should you wait to eat grapefruit after taking medication?

This makes it more likely that you will have side effects from the medicine. Interactions can happen

up to three days

after eating or drinking grapefruit. This means you cannot drink grapefruit juice in the morning and take your medications later in the day to stop possible medicine interactions.

What foods interfere with high blood pressure medication?

  • Bananas. Don't eat them if you take ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril and fosinopril among others. …
  • Grapefruit. …
  • Milk. …
  • Black liquorice. …
  • Kale and other leafy greens. …
  • Air-dried sausages or aged cheese. …
  • Coffee. …
  • Alcohol.

Does Ruby Red grapefruit juice lower blood pressure?

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.

Why is grapefruit bad for you?

So why is grapefruit getting a bad rap?

Grapefruit juice inhibits a chemical in the intestine needed to break down many drugs in the body

. The absence of this chemical can lead to higher blood levels. In effect, the drug becomes more potent.

Can I eat bananas while taking olmesartan?

Frequently asked questions about Benicar (olmesartan)

If causes high potassium, does this mean you can't eat bananas? Benicar (olmesartan) can raise the amount of potassium in your body, so

you might want to avoid eating too many bananas and other foods with high potassium

.

What pain reliever can I take with olmesartan?


ibuprofen

olmesartan

Talk to your doctor before using olmesartan together with ibuprofen. Combining these medications may reduce the effects of olmesartan in lowering blood pressure.

Can I eat grapefruit while taking amlodipine besylate?


Do not eat or drink lots of grapefruit

or grapefruit juice while you're taking this medicine. Grapefruit can increase the concentration of amlodipine in your body and worsen side effects.

What are 4 worst blood pressure drugs?

Both Yancy and Clements point out that those medications include:

thiazide diuretics

(chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide) ACE inhibitors (benazepril, zofenopril, lisinopril, and many others) calcium channel blockers (amlodipine, diltiazem)

Does grapefruit clear arteries?

In one study, animals fed a high-cholesterol diet plus grapefruit pectin had

24 percent narrowing of their arteries

, versus the control with 45 percent narrowing. In other words, the pectin binds to cholesterol and helps to remove arterial buildup. The limonoids mentioned above also help lower high cholesterol levels.

Is Benicar a good blood pressure medicine?

Benicar (olmesartan) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB). Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Benicar is

used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)

in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Does citrus fruit interfere with medications?


Yes

. Grapefruit and certain other citrus fruits, such as Seville oranges, can interfere with several kinds of prescription medications. Don't take these interactions lightly. Some can cause potentially dangerous health problems.

Why do I crave grapefruit?

If you're suddenly hit with a strong desire to drink , or an intense craving for grapefruit, take it as a sign your

body needs more vitamin C

— and is possibly even fighting off an infection. … Some foods to eat that provide vitamin C include oranges, grapefruit and fresh green vegetables.”

Is grapefruit good for cholesterol?

In a controlled study group of patients with heart disease, the scientists found that

feeding some patients the equivalent of one grapefruit daily significantly reduced levels of cholesterol

in comparison to patients that did not eat grapefruit. Chronic high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Does grapefruit lower blood sugar?

These studies showed that grapefruit juice

lowered blood sugar as effectively as metformin

, a drug widely used for diabetes.

Why is grapefruit bad for medication?

Many drugs are broken down (metabolized) with the help of a vital enzyme called CYP3A4 in the small intestine. Grapefruit juice

can block the action of intestinal CYP3A4

, so instead of being metabolized, more of the drug enters the blood and stays in the body longer. The result: too much drug in your body.

How much grapefruit is safe with statins?

How much grapefruit is ok while on certain statins? The exact amount of grapefruit it takes to have a negative reaction when taking lovastatin, atorvastatin, or simvastatin is unknown. Just

one grapefruit or one glass of grapefruit juice

could be enough to cause an interaction in some people.

Can you eat oranges while taking blood pressure medication?

People taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs should limit their intake of high-

potassium foods

like bananas, oranges, avocados, tomatoes, white and sweet potatoes and dried fruits —, especially apricots.

Should you eat eggs if you have high blood pressure?

According to the American Journal of Hypertension, a high-protein diet, like one rich in eggs, can

help lower blood pressure naturally

while promoting weight loss, as well.

Can you eat bananas with high blood pressure?


Banana is good for high blood pressure

because it has high potassium content which may not be good for conditions like kidney stones. Consult your doctor before adding bananas to your diet.

What is in grapefruit that lowers blood pressure?

Cytochrome P450-3A4 inhibition with troleandomycin prevents nitrite re-oxidation to nitrate in rodent liver. Grapefruit juice contains

the CYP3A4 inhibitor furanocoumarin

. We therefore hypothesized that grapefruit juice would enhance BP-lowering with beetroot juice by maintaining circulating [nitrite].

Are grapefruits good for blood pressure?

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 ).

Is grapefruit bad for kidneys?

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.

Does pineapple interact with blood pressure medication?

Pineapple Juice:

When it combined with medications that slow or prevent blood clotting – such as an anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs – it

can significantly increase your risk of bruising or bleeding

.

Does olmesartan cause weight gain?

Symptoms can include: swelling of your feet, ankles, or

hands

.

weight gain

.

What is the best drink for high blood pressure?

  1. Tomato juice. Growing evidence suggests that drinking one glass of tomato juice per day may promote heart health. …
  2. Beet juice. …
  3. Prune juice. …
  4. Pomegranate juice. …
  5. Berry juice. …
  6. Skim milk. …
  7. Tea.

What is the healthiest fruit?

  • Berries. Be it blackberries, cranberries, strawberries or blueberries, berries of all kinds are super nutritious. …
  • Apple. Apple is one super-fruit that can prove to be quite beneficial in your weight loss journey. …
  • Watermelon. …
  • Orange. …
  • Guava.

Does olmesartan cause frequent urination?

How to use Olmesartan-Hydrochlorothiazide. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with or without food. If this medication causes

you to urinate more frequently

, it is best to take it at least 4 hours before your bedtime to prevent having to get up to urinate.

What is safest blood pressure medication?


Methyldopa

, which works to lower blood pressure through the central nervous system, has the lowest risk of harming the mother and developing fetus. Other possible safe options include labetalol, beta-blockers, and diuretics.

Is peanut butter good for high blood pressure?

Improved Heart Health

One of the main fats in peanut butter is oleic acid. When substituted for other fats in your diet, oleic acid is shown to help

maintain good

cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Managing these levels in your body can lower the risk of heart disease. Peanut butter also contains omega-6.

How can I get off my blood pressure medicine?

  1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline. Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. …
  2. Exercise regularly. …
  3. Eat a healthy diet. …
  4. Reduce sodium in your diet. …
  5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. …
  6. Quit smoking. …
  7. Cut back on caffeine. …
  8. Reduce your stress.

What can you not take with olmesartan?

What should I avoid while taking olmesartan?

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes

, unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

What drugs should not be taken with olmesartan?

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

aliskiren

, lithium, drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ACE inhibitors including benazepril/lisinopril, birth control pills containing drospirenone).

Can you take vitamins with olmesartan?

Interactions between your drugs


No interactions

were found between olmesartan and Vitamin D3. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Can I have oranges with amlodipine?

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

GENERALLY AVOID

: Coadministration with orange, apple, or grapefruit juice may significantly decrease the oral bioavailability and renin-inhibiting effect of aliskiren.

What should you avoid when taking amlodipine?

Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or this medicine will not be as effective.

Avoid drinking alcohol

. It can raise triglyceride levels and increase your risk of liver damage. Alcohol can also increase some of the side effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin.

Why amlodipine is bad for you?

It comes with serious risks if you don't take it as prescribed. If you don't take it at all or stop taking it: If you don't take amlodipine or stop taking it,

your blood pressure or chest pain may get worse

. This could lead to serious problems, such as a stroke or heart attack.

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.