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Posted on 02/08/2007 12:39:03 PM PST by kcvl
Anna Nicole Smith collapsed in her hotel room at the Hard Rock Cafe and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., and was rushed to a hospital on Thursday. A Hollywood, Fla., fire department spokesman told MSNBC TV that the actress was unresponsive when the rescue unit arrived on the scene.
Sources confirmed to Access Hollywood that Smith was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital shortly after 2 p.m. EST on Thursday. Access Hollywood also is reporting that Smith was intubated at the scene.
Officials told the Miami Herald, "it does not look good."
"Trimspa has the chemical grapefuit compund"
That is interesting!
If what folks said about Daniel not doing drugs is true, it sounds then he must have grabbed the wrong drink (maybe a trimspa, methadone drink)...which combined with his antidepressants...
however it happened, it is a sad outcome.
Very interesting, thanks for the link. Especially pertinent because Daniel had antidepressants in his system (Zoloft) and it was widely reported that Daniel didn't like to fly (Valium?) But I have to wonder if the grapefruit makes the drug ineffective or does it somehow boost it?
It boosts the levels of many drugs including methadone. antidepressants and many other drugs to very dangerous levels.
I am researching fevers and liver problems due to grapefruit interaction and I am finding some things also. ANS supposedly had a fever and didn't Dr. Perper say something about her liver?
And wonder too if this reaction is what caused Anna's death?
Maybe all Trimspa's fault?
Btw, did you notice that the page you posted to was updated on February 9? Spooky!
HK$ had to have worked closely with the TrimSpa people (read about the actual product) maybe this was his 'starting point.' How perfect, get her to represent a product that contains ingredients that are known to dangerously interact with the drugs ANS normally took. Brilliant!!!
Bookmark for tomorrow's read...sleepy here. Good nite all!
Things that make you go hmmmmm
Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice: Potentially Dangerous Interactions with Pharmaceutical Drugs
More cancer patients are turning to complementary and alternative medicines, either as primary cancer treatment, an augmentation to cancer treatment or to help in the relief of side effects caused by treatment or cancer itself. Since complementary/alternative agents or methods are not closely regulated in the U.S., it is important for patients to be aware of possible adverse events that may occur with the use of these products. As research on these drug-CAM interactions continues, potentially adverse effects of drugs and common food items have also been reported.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice are commonly consumed fruit/fruit juices. An unusual discovery in 1989 found that grapefruit juice has the potential to interact with an important biologic pathway, known as cytochrome P450, that is involved in the metabolism of many commonly used drugs. A specific form of this pathway, known as CYP3A4, is present in the liver and the intestines. Grapefruit juice appears to bind to this pathway in the intestine, preventing the drugs from being absorbed through the intestine and elevating the circulating level of the drug in the body.
As little as 250 ml of grapefruit juice can affect metabolism of some drugs, lasting for up to 24 hours. Research has indicated that grapefruit produces the same effect as grapefruit juice, but that oranges do not. Because of the prolonged response, separating the intake of grapefruit/grapefruit juice and the drug does not appear to lessen interference. Additionally, because individuals have different levels of CYP3A4 expression, some people are more susceptible to the interaction than others.
It is possible that scientists could use this interaction to their benefit, intentionally increasing the bioavailability (the degree to which a drug becomes available to the target tissue/organs) of specific drugs. In the meantime, however, the potential side effects from elevated levels of drugs pose a serious threat. The table below is an incomplete list of potential drug interactions between grapefruit/grapefruit juice and drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Table 1: Possible interactions between grapefruit juice (GJ)* and drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Drug table at website...
http://www.ufscc.ufl.edu/Patient/cancernews.aspx?section=cancernews&id=17525
http://www.mindbodyhypnosis.com/Grapefruit-Juice-And-Medications.htm
muscle pain, fatigue, fever, liver failure
I read about it causing vomiting on another site as well.
Wow, you may be on to something.
Makes you wonder doesn't it? It could be an easy way to kill a druggie or it could be entirely accidental this way.
Grapefruit would show up in an autopsy, wouldn't it?
Grapefruit juice blocks special enzymes in the wall of the small intestine that actually destroys many medications and prevents their absorption into the body. Thus, smaller amounts of the drugs get into the body than are ingested. When the action of this enzyme is blocked, more of the drugs get into the body and the blood levels of these medications increase. This can lead to toxic side effects from the medications.
Amazingly, this remarkable food-drug interaction was discovered completely by accident over a decade ago! Researchers were investigating whether alcohol could interact with felodipine (Plendil) and used a solution of alcohol with grapefruit juice to mask the taste of alcohol for the study. Researchers discovered that blood levels of felodipine were increased several fold more than in previous studies. This increased blood level caused an increase in the effect and side effects of felodipine. Further research revealed that the grapefruit juice itself was actually increasing the amount of the study drug in the body.
Research about the interaction of grapefruit juice with drugs suggests that compounds in grapefruit juice, called furanocoumarins (e.g. bergamottin), may be responsible for the effects of grapefruit juice. Researchers believe that furanocoumarins block the enzymes in the intestines that normally break down many drugs. One glass of grapefruit juice could elicit the maximum blocking effect, and the effect may persist for longer than 24 hours. Since the effects can last for such a prolonged period of time, grapefruit juice does not have to be taken at the same time as the medication in order for the interaction to occur. Therefore, unlike similar interactions, where the interaction can be avoided by separating the administration of the two interacting agents by a couple of hours, administration of grapefruit juice with susceptible drugs should be separated by 24 or more hours to avoid the interaction. Since this is not practical for individuals who are taking a medication daily, they should not consume grapefruit juice when taking medications that are affected by grapefruit juice.
The grapefruit juice-drug interaction can lead to unpredictable and hazardous levels of certain important drugs.
These are medications with which grapefruit juice should NOT be consumed unless advised by a doctor:
Statins (Cholesterol Drugs): lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin Lipitor, Simvastatin Zocor, simvastatin/ezetimibe Vytorin
Antihistamines: Ebastine, Seldane (terfenadine, taken off the U.S. market)
Calcium Channel Blockers (Blood Pressure Drugs): nimodipine (Nimotop), Felodipine (Nitrendipine, Plendil), Pranidipine, nisoldipine (Sular), nicardipine (Cardene), verapamil (Verelan)
Psychiatric Medications: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)
Intestinal Medications: cisapride, taken off the U.S. market (Propulsid)
Immune Suppressants: cyclosporine (Neoral), (tacrolimus) Prograf
Pain Medications: Methadone
Impotence Drug (erectile dysfunction): sildenafil (Viagra)
Ant-HIV medication : saquinavir (Invirase)
Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone (Cordarone)
Toxic blood levels of these medications can occur when patients taking them consume grapefruit juice. The high blood levels of the medications can cause damage to organs or impair the organs normal function, which can be dangerous. If you or a family member are taking any of these medications, beware of the "nutrapollutical" grapefruit juice.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=14760
When I read the about the levels of drugs in Daniel's system again tonight; somehow the light bulb went off in my head.
I'm not sure, but when you watch shows like CSI, they usually know what the person had been eating recently, but grapefruit juice can metabolize very fast so I don't know.
A shame no one gave Stern a dollar for every "you know" he uttered in the LKL show - he could have bought himself a nice little cot to carry around to sleep in. Poor thing - sleeping on nasty hospital floors, couches downstairs....
This rhread needs to die too.
Anna started having high fever too come to think of it. And did they say she had been vomiting also?
They thought it was flu or something...could have been Trimspa!
SEE THE ***** BELOW
Your healthcare provider has prescribed methadone to help control pain.
Methadone (meth-uh-doan) is a strong pain reliever that has been used successfully for more than 60 years in millions of persons worldwide. It is a man-made, or synthetic, opioid (oh-pee-oyd) drug withactions similar to natural opioids like morphine or codeine that come from the opium poppy, except methadone is more potent. Methadone is a very effective and economical medication.
When used properly, it can helpsafely relieve pain even when other medications fail. However, since it is a long-lasting and powerful drug, its improper use or abuse can be harmful and even fatal (causing death). Therefore, it is very important that you read, understand, and follow all of the safety instructions below.
Always take methadone exactly as directed. Taking extra methadone or combining it with other drugs, alcohol, or over-the-counter products, unless approved by your healthcare provider, can beharmful or fatal. Make sure the methadone prescriber knows of all healthcare products and drugs (prescribed or not) that you are using and your complete medical history.
You must take only the prescribed amount of methadone and at the specifiedtime intervals. If you were told to split methadone tablets for the proper dose, ask your health-care provider or pharmacist how to do that accurately. Methadone builds up in the body over time, often taking a week or longer to achieve full effect. During that time, pain relief may be incomplete. However, unless told to do so by your healthcare provider, never take extra methadone doses or other pain relievers, as this could be harmful or fatal.
If you forget to take your usual methadone dose on time, you can take it very soonthereafter. Otherwise, wait until it is time for the next dose and take only that; donot take extra methadone to make up for what was missed. To help avoid missing doses or taking extra ones, use a dosing chart or medica-tion log to keep track of when you take each dose of methadone. If you are forgetful, have someone else give you each dose of methadone and keep a record of it.
*******Do not take methadone with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. It can block the break-down of methadone, causing a harmfully excessive amount to accumulate.******
Tell all of your healthcare providers that you are taking methadone. Unless theyknow of this, they might prescribe medications that alter methadone’s effects. They should contact the methadone prescriber if there are questions. Keep careful track of when you take your methadone. Taking extra methadone, more often, or with other drugs or alcohol can be harmful or even fatal.
Store methadone safely.Methadone absolutely must be kept in a safe place where others – children or adults –cannot gain access to it. A single tablet of methadone can be harmful, or even fatal, in an individual who is not used to the medication. Do not keep methadone on kitchen counters, in bathroom cabinets, or other obvious places. If necessary, store methadone in a locked box or cabinet and in an out of theway location.Remember, persons you may least suspect, family members or visitors, might look for drugs like methadone to use for illegal purposes.
Never share your methadone with anyone else, since it could do them great harm. What are methadone side effects to watch for? Alert your family members or caretakers of important warning signs to watch for that may indicate you are reacting badly to methadone and are in distress.
******If you experience any of the following, they should call for emergency help: Trouble staying awake. Difficult or slow breathing. Loud or unusual snoring at night and difficulty being awakened. Fast heartbeat, unusual dizziness, or loss of consciousness (fainting). Methadone, like all other opioids, may cause constipation. Your healthcare provideror pharmacist can recommend approaches for preventing or treating this. *****
Reducing the methadone dose will not help. Certain side effects, if they occur at all, usually become milder or go away with time, such as a lightheaded feeling, nausea, stomach upset, or mild drowsiness. Possibleothers may be more long-lasting, including: itching, dry mouth, flushing, or increasedsweating. Contact your healthcare provider if any of these continue or worsen. Uncommon side effects include confusion, mood changes (depression or agitation),shaking, blurred vision, or difficulty urinating.
If you experience any of these, tell yourhealthcare provider. Allergic reactions to methadone – including rash, hives, or swelling – are rare but require prompt medical attention. You should refrain from driving and other activities requiring balance or focused concentration until the effects of methadone are known, typically a week or longer.
Will you become dependent on or addicted to methadone? After awhile, methadone causes physical dependence. That is, if you suddenly stop the medication you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, such as diarrhea, body aches, weakness, restlessness, anxiety, loss of appetite, and other ill feelings. These may take several days to develop. This is not the same as addiction, a disease involving craving for the drug, loss ofcontrol over taking it or compulsive use, and using it despite harm.
Addiction to methadone in persons without a recent history of alcohol or drug problems is rare. If you ever want to stop taking methadone, do not do so on your own.
Gradually reduc-ing the methadone dose as directed by your healthcare provider will help preventuncomfortable withdrawal reactions. Do not reduce or stop taking methadone on your own.
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