Doctor Warns 200 mL of Grapefruit Juice Can Disrupt Common Medications for 72 Hours
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 19
Doctor Warns 200 mL of Grapefruit Juice Can Disrupt Common Medications for 72 Hours
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 19
Summary
One grapefruit or 200 mL of juice can raise blood levels of common medicines to clinically significant levels, with the interaction lasting up to 72 hours, Dr. Nicole James said.
Grapefruit’s furanocoumarins and flavonoids inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, preventing normal breakdown of oral drugs and allowing more medication to pass into the bloodstream intact.
Statins, antidepressants, blood-pressure drugs such as amlodipine, and sedatives including midazolam can be affected, increasing risks such as muscle breakdown, dizziness, extreme drowsiness and slowed breathing.
Mixed fruit juices, smoothies and cocktails including palomas, greyhounds, some margaritas and sea breezes may contain grapefruit, prompting James to urge patients to check ingredients and contact a doctor if symptoms appear.
James also flagged other food-drug interactions, including vitamin K-rich foods or cranberry juice with warfarin and dairy products with some antibiotics and bisphosphonates.