![]() However, it is safe to consult with a health expert about the risk while taking statins and grapefruit together or even avoid taking statins with grapefruit juice. Recent studies on grapefruit and statins interaction suggest that moderate grapefruit consumption can be compatible with taking statin drugs. For people who take statins and grapefruit on the same day, it could cause side effects. The interaction that occurs when grapefruit and statins are taken together differs from person to person. Thus, it is safe to take medication through an injection, to avoid grapefruit interaction. The interaction between grapefruit and medications poses side effects only when the medication is taken orally as the interaction occurs in the digestive tract. This is an issue only for atorvastatin and simvastatin and is only problematic at the highest dosages." According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, the drug interaction is strong only with two types of statins - simvastatin (Zocor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor).ĭr Steven Nissen, Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Medicine Department Chair at Cleveland Clinic's Heart and Vascular Institute, said, "Only certain statin medications interact negatively with grapefruit. However, not all statins interact the same way with grapefruit. Drugs that are used to treat nausea, urinary tract infections, heart conditions, immunosuppressants and anxiety drugs interact with grapefruit. People over 65 years of age and women are at a higher risk for side effects from statins.Īs many as 85 prescription drugs interact with grapefruit. ![]() ![]() Why A: Certain classes of drugs most notably statins are metabolized (broken down) in your intestines by an enzyme called CYP3A, which normally reduces the amount of drug that enters your bloodstream. Statins cause other side effects such as muscle and joint pain, increased blood sugar, digestive disorders, and neurological side effects, including memory loss and confusion. Q: Ive heard that people shouldnt drink grapefruit juice if theyre taking a statin. According to a report by the Food and Drug Administration, the interaction increases the risk of muscle breakdown, kidney failure and liver damage. The interaction of grapefruit and statins increases the side effects of the drugs. The time between consumption of grapefruit and taking the medication, and the frequency of consumption, can also influence the side effects. According to the National Health Service, both fresh and frozen grapefruit juice have the same effect. Side Effects Of Statins And Grapefruit InteractionĬonsumption of just one grapefruit or one glass of grapefruit juice is enough to cause an interaction with drugs. As furanocoumarins hinder this enzyme, the concentration of drugs increases in the body than it should be, which can cause side effects. According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the chemical compound, furanocoumarins, inhibits the efficacy of an enzyme, cytochrome P450 3A4 that metabolize statins in the digestive system and balance the dosage that goes into the bloodstream. Grapefruit contains an organic chemical compound called as furanocoumarins that block an enzyme activity.
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