Posted on 03/20/2017 2:47:38 PM PDT by blam
Note: This article contains general information — not specific medical advice. Talk to your physician before changing your use of any medication.
Grapefruit is a delicious citrus fruit with many health benefits.
However, it can interact with some common medications, altering their effects on your body.
If you're curious about the grapefruit warning on many medicines, this article will help you understand why it's there and what your options are.
Here's a closer look at 32 common drugs that may have dangerous interactions with grapefruit.
How does it interact with medications?
How does it interact with medications?
Medications are processed in your liver and small intestine by a specialized group of proteins called cytochrome P450 (CYPs).
CYPs break down medications, reducing the blood levels of many of them.
Grapefruit and a few of its close relatives, such as Seville oranges, tangelos, pomelos and Minneolas, contain a class of chemicals called furanocoumarins.
Furanocoumarins disrupt the normal function of CYPs. In fact, studies show that they increase the blood levels of over 85 medications (1).
By slowing down the way in which CYPs normally break down medications in your gut and liver, grapefruit can increase the side effects of these drugs (1).
There are three things to know in order to understand if and how you can safely consume grapefruit with these medications.
1. It doesn’t take much: One whole grapefruit or one glass of grapefruit juice is enough to alter how these medications affect you.
2. It lasts 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.
3. It’s significant: For a small number of drugs, grapefruit’s effects can be serious.
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(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Gin please, not vodka!
You may have had the beginning of rhabdomyolysis and this is serious. The statins are great drugs but drug interactions with food and other drugs can be major. Listen to your pharmacist. His or her job is to educate you about your medicines and not putting pills in a bottle.
Those who got it from someone on a street corner already knew.
Ya think? I’ve had oxycodone prescribed twice in the last 4-5 years and reading the list posted here was the first time I heard about the interaction.
On the other hand, a nurse warned me about the statin/grapefruit danger when the statin was prescribed a different time.
Delicious!
Ocean Spray puts out a pure cranberry juice. You have to read every bottle in the store to find it but it’s there.
80% of the apple juice sold in the USA is apple juice from China. Most of the 'pure juices' is apple from China.
I try to find it for my dad and granddad. You look even on Ocean Spray that says pure and it’s adulterated (Wally’s World anyway). Guess I have to keep looking.
The rest from the PNW, with Washington being the largest even after the MSMLSD almost destroyed it with their fake reporting when Mt.St. Helen’s blew her top and dusted the east Washington apple orchards - big reports on how the volcanic ash was poison and all that when in actuality it enhanced the soil and we had the biggest crop ever.
PS: I’ll have to check the labels more carefully as to where the ingredients come from. Thanks.
>GAK< Berry flavored grapefruit juice. I’m thinking of something that’d go good with gin ................ nope.
I recall in some Hunter S. Thompson book (Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas???) where he writes about several hookers, coke and two crates of Grapefruit on his list of expenses for a Rolling Stones article.
http://www.extracrispy.com/culture/456/eating-breakfast-like-hunter-s-thompson-is-a-terrible-idea
You have to look at the ingredient listing. But I’m sure a good health food store would carry it.
I have been off grapefruit for about ten years now because of Lovastatin reaction.
I was never a fan so it is no biggie
Problem with health food stores is their products are way overpriced.
Well, yes. That’s why most people use ordinary supermarket fare. But the occasional treat from a health food store is ok.
I sent my doctor a message after reading the article. I had a response waiting when I checked my email this morning. He said it will not be an issue with my medications. I really like him. He is very responsive and empathetic. I have a great doctor.
So, cut the grapefruit-lover’s dosage in half or thirds for days when they have grapefruit.
Mix the grapefruit juice with vodka and you will be fine.
Grapefruit goes well with Juicy Fruit.
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