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Many of you have probably heard of interactions between drugs, but did you know that some prescription medications can interact with food items? Grapefruit or grapefruit juice is an example of a food item that can cause interactions when used in combination with some drugs.
The way this interaction happens is that chemicals in grapefruit juice can block the enzymes in the digestive tract that break down certain drugs. If the drugs cannot be broken down, there is an increased risk that the drug levels will get too high, and this can result in serious adverse effects associated with toxicity. This interaction can also occur with tangelos, which are hybrids of grapefruit, and Seville oranges, which are a type of sour/bitter orange.
Not all medications interact in this way, but there are several. The table includes a list of drugs that are known to have potentially serious effects when consumed with grapefruit products, due to the interaction.
For patients on any of these medications, grapefruit consumption should be discontinued 72 hours before taking the drug. Separating the two, even by 24 hours is not adequate, as the grapefruit chemicals have been shown to cause interactions lasting for 24 to 72 hours. The options for the patient are to either exclude grapefruit from his or her diet while taking the medication, or
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request an alternative medication that does not have the potential to interact with grapefruit.
Since there is potential for interactions between drugs, drugs and food, and drugs and herbals, you should keep medication cards listing all medications including herbals and over-the-counter products. This card should be shown to all physicians that you visit, as well as to any pharmacy where you get medication. It is also important for you to stay consistent in your diet, and ask questions of your physician and
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