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Grapefruit Juice May Alter Your Prescription Drinking
grapefruit juice has been linked with health benefits such as the reduction
of artery hardening and possible reduction of cancer risk. Additionally,
grapefruit juice contains high levels of vitamin C. Despite its better
properties, grapefruit juice does have disadvantages. According to recent
evidence, it can interact with a number of medications, in some cases
impairing the medications' absorption. This is important to note because
about one in five Americans drinks grapefruit juice regularly and usually
for breakfast-a time when medications are also commonly taken. Research
now reveals that grapefruit juice inhibits an enzyme in the intestines
that is responsible for the natural breakdown and absorption of many medications.
If this enzyme's action is blocked then the unabsorbed medication builds
to sometimes toxic levels in the blood. It is not yet completely clear
exactly what in the grapefruit is responsible for this effect. The grapefruit juice-drug interaction can lead to unsafe levels of certain common drugs. Unhealthy blood levels of these medications can occur when patients taking them consume grapefruit juice. A decade of grapefruit juice research has focused on the medications with which grapefruit juice reacts. The following medications have been identified as interacting adversely with grapefruit juice consumption:
The source
of this information is a research review article published in the September,
2000, issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Authors Garvan C. Kane, MD, and
James J. Lipsky, MD, state in their conclusion that "from the existing
studies we have attempted to extract the extent of the risk to our patients.
Although there are no published case reports of adverse effects due to
such interactions, we must assume they do occur." According to their
article, individuals should avoid consuming grapefruit juice along with
the medications mentioned unless advised otherwise by their doctor. Additional
information may be available from a pharmacist. To read the original article by Kane and Lipsky, go to www.mayo.edu/proceedings, then find "Back Issues" and go to "September, 2000." |
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