![]() Grapefruit contains compounds known as furanocoumarins that block the CYP3A4 enzymes.Grapefruit juice decreases the activity of the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymes that are responsible for breaking down many drugs and toxins.Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can alter enzymes in the body and affect how drugs are changed in the body before they are eliminated. Why does grapefruit interact with drugs?ĭrugs or toxins are usually broken down (metabolized) so that they can be eliminated from the body. Some immunosuppressants have been reported to cause kidney damage, and certain pain medications when mixed with grapefruit juice may be linked with depressed breathing. Check with your pharmacist or doctor to confirm any interactions you may find.Įxamples 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). New drugs are approved frequently, so it is wise to research your drug interactions with grapefruit juice drug with the Drugs Interaction Checker.This can lead to enhanced side effects or lower drug effectiveness. Grapefruit juice affects how drugs are changed (metabolized) in the body for eventual elimination and can alter the amount of drug in your blood.Interactions with grapefruit can occur with common and important medications - such as those that lower cholesterol, treat high blood pressure, or even those that fight cancer.Grapefruit juice interactions can even occur with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Maybe you've receive a medication prescription container with an affixed warning label that recommends you avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking the medication. While grapefruit is a nutritious fruit, many patients are concerned about the potential for drug interactions with grapefruit juice. Which drugs interact? | Why does grapefruit juice interact with drugs? | Possible side effects | Timing | Which other juices interact? | Common drugs that interact with grapefruit juice | Other resources Which drugs interact with grapefruit juice? The study authors urge physicians to learn more about drug interactions with grapefruit (Thompson, " Shots," NPR, 11/27 United Press International, 11/27 Brown, " Booster Shots," Los Angeles Times, 11/27).Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. The study notes that grapefruits are not the only fruits to cause problems with medications: Seville oranges, pomelos, and limes also contain the same family of disruptive compounds. Popular drugs that interact negatively with grapefruit include various antibiotics, as well as drugs that treat hypertension, high cholesterol, and cancer. ![]() "Taking one tablet with a glass of grapefruit juice is like taking five tablets with water," Bailey says. This can effectively cause a medication overdose. When the enzyme doesn't function normally, medications may not degrade and instead circulate in the blood at higher levels than normal. The chemical culprits in grapefruits are called furanocoumarins, which deactivate an enzyme found in the small intestine and liver that breaks down various toxins and an estimated 50% of all drugs. Writing in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Lawson Health Research Institute's David Bailey-who first discovered that the bitter fruit can interact with drugs more than 20 years ago-and colleagues reported that the number of drugs that can interact harmfully with grapefruit has increased from 17 to 43 in the last four years. A new study identifies as many as 85 common medications that interact with grapefruit, and at least 43 such interactions can have serious side effects-including sudden death, kidney failure, and internal bleeding.
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