Some people have a lot of enzymes and others just a little. The amount of the CYP3A4 enzyme in the intestine varies from person to person, Huang said. Grapefruit juice can block the action of CYP3A4, so instead of being metabolized, more of the drug enters the blood and stays in the body longer. Many drugs are broken down with the help of a vital enzyme called CYP3A4 in the small intestine. “When there is too much drug in the blood, you may have more side effects.”įor example, if you drink a lot of grapefruit juice while taking certain statin drugs to lower cholesterol, too much of the drug may stay in your body, increasing your risk for liver and muscle damage that can lead to kidney failure. With most drugs that interact with grapefruit juice, “the juice lets more of the drug enter the blood,” Huang said. Some antihistamines, such as Allegra (fexofenadine).Some drugs that treat abnormal heart rhythms, such as Pacerone and Nexterone (both amiodarone).Some corticosteroids that treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, such as Entocort EC and Uceris (both budesonide).Some anti-anxiety drugs, such as buspirone.Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Sandimmune and Neoral (both cyclosporine).Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine).Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).Here are examples of some types of drugs with which grapefruit juice can interact badly: The FDA has required that some prescription and over-the-counter drugs taken by mouth include warnings against drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking the drug, Huang said. This food and drug interaction can be a concern, said Shiew Mei Huang, of the Food and Drug Administration. Grapefruit has vitamin C and potassium-nutrients your body needs to work properly.īut it isn’t good for you when it affects the way your medicines work, especially if you have high blood pressure or arrhythmia. Grapefruit juice and the actual grapefruit can be part of a healthy diet.
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