The Potential Risk of Grapefruit Juice

Citrus fruits are considered to be very healthy, thanks to their high vitamin C content as well as the many minerals and other nutrients they contain. However, ingesting grapefruit juice can lead to severe poisoning when mixed with certain substances. A variety of medical studies in recent years found that combining grapefruit juice with certain medications can lead to an overdose. This article will discuss the reasons for these results, and list the medications you absolutely cannot mix with grapefruit.

The Grapefruit/Medication Connection The human body produces an enzyme called CYO3A4 that, among other things, helps break down certain chemicals before they are absorbed into the bloodstream. Grapefruits contain a chemical that inhibits the CYO3A4 enzyme’s functions, which leads to more of the medication being absorbed into the bloodstream. When the level of medication in the blood is too high, you enter a state of overdose, which can lead to exacerbated side-effects and even poisoning. Other Citrus Fruits The inhibiting chemical in grapefruit can also be found in other citrus fruits, such as pomelo, limes, and bitter oranges (a type of orange that is very bitter and is mainly used in jams). It’s important to mention that other species of oranges, as well as lemons - are safe to ingest, as they don’t contain the aforementioned chemical. Potential Severity of Reactions It’s difficult to predict the severity of reaction grapefruit juice will have on one's body, as it can be affected by many variables. Different juices contain different levels of the inhibiting chemical, meaning that each type of juice can have a different level of effect. Additionally, the quantity of juice consumed can have a drastically varied effect according to one's weight. Medications that Should Not Be Taken with Grapefruit Juice: There are currently more than 85 different medications that should not be taken with grapefruit juice, and new drugs join the list every year. The following list shows the drugs that pose the most danger when taken with Grapefruit: Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Medication Generic name Commercial names Amlodipine  Norvasc Amiodarone Procor, Amiodacore, Amiocor Felodipine  Logimax, Penedil Nifedipine  Osmo-Adalat, Nifedipine-Teva, Pressolat, Megalat Nimodipine  Nimotop Quinidin  Quiniduran Verapamil Verapress, Apoacor, Ikacor, Ikapress, Veracor Lipid Lowering Medication Generic name Commercial names Atorvastatin Lipitor Lovastatin Lovalip Simvastatin Simovil, Simvacor, Simvastatin-Teva Tranquilizers and Psychiatric Medication Generic name Commercial names Buspirone Buspirol, Sorbon Clomipramine Anafranil, Maronil Diazepam Assival, Diaz, Valium Midazolam Dormicum, Midazol, Midazolam Pimozide Orap Forte Sertraline Lustral Other (Immunosuppressants, antihistamines, etc.) Generic name Commercial names Carbamazepine Carbi, Tegretol, Teril, Timonil Cisapride Prepulsid Cyclosporine Sangcya, Sandimmun, Deximune Itraconazole Sporanox Saquinavir Invirase, Fortovase Sirolimus Rapamune Tacrolimus Prograf

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