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).
Does grapefruit juice cause drug toxicity?
One whole grapefruit, or a small glass (200 mL, 6.8 US fl oz) of grapefruit juice,
can cause drug overdose toxicity
. Fruit consumed three days before the medicine can still have an effect.
What drugs are bad with grapefruit?
Grapefruit might interact with some “statins” including
lovastatin (Mevacor)
, simvastatin (Zocor), and atorvastatin (Lipitor). Grapefruit juice does not interact with other “statins” including pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
What drugs does grapefruit juice potentiate?
Many medications can be potentiated by grapefruit juice or grapefruit. Some of the more common medications include: Some
calcium channel blockers
that treat high blood pressure or angina, like Procardia (nifedipine) or Plendil (felodipine)
What two food drug interactions may occur after drinking grapefruit juice?
Statins
and Grapefruit
Statins are highly effective cholesterol-lowering drugs. Unfortunately, says Zive, “Drinking grapefruit juice or eating fresh grapefruit can increase the amount of some statins in your blood and lead to potentially greater side effects of these drugs.”
Why is grapefruit bad for high blood pressure?
Grapefruit contains compounds that may interfere with how your body absorbs some drugs
, including some blood pressure medicines. It can leave too much or too little of the drug in your bloodstream, which may be dangerous. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist if grapefruit could affect the medicine you’re taking.
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.
Is it OK to eat grapefruit with blood pressure medicine?
Though
grapefruit does not interfere with most blood pressure medications
, it can cause a few medications to overcorrect blood pressure.
Why can’t you have grapefruit with blood pressure medicine?
Calcium channel blockers
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.
What blood pressure meds should not be taken with grapefruit?
- Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).
- Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine).
What happens if you drink too much 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.
Does grapefruit juice make medicine stronger?
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.
Does grapefruit juice make clonazepam stronger?
Grapefruit juice: Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking this medication as
it can increase the levels of clonazepam
in your blood.
Is grapefruit 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 ).
Which medicines should not be taken together?
- Dangerous duo: Tylenol and multi-symptom cold medicines. …
- Dangerous duo: Any combo of ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. …
- Dangerous duo: Antihistamines and motion-sickness medications. …
- Dangerous duo: Anti-diarrheal medicine and calcium supplements. …
- Dangerous duo: St.
What fruits interact with drugs?
Medicines can interact with
whole fruit, fruit pulp or fruit extracts
. Fruit of concern include orange, pomelo, pomegranate, cranberry, red/purple grape, apple, and grapefruit. Patients should be informed about the risk of interactions from consuming fruit.
