![]() Too many people don’t pay attention to the precautions offered with their drugs and then they have bad interactions.Ī. My wife and I both take this cholesterol-lowering drug, and the first thing our cardiologist told us was to never drink grapefruit juice while we are on this medicine. I’ve heard that some people take their atorvastatin with grapefruit juice to boost its effectiveness. Is it safe to take simvastatin or atorvastatin with grapefruit juice? This reader shared two different perspectives: The grapefruit story remains confusing to many people. Headaches, lightheadedness and facial flushing were side effects of this combination.” Atorvastatin with Grapefruit Juice (GJ):įast forward to 2018. Further research has shown that nifedipine ( Adalat, Procardia) blood levels are also increased by grapefruit juice. “To their surprise, grapefruit juice dramatically boosted blood levels of the blood pressure drug Plendil (felodipine). They were investigating the effect of alcohol on drug metabolism and used grapefruit juice to disguise the taste of ethanol. ![]() “Researchers at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, stumbled upon the grapefruit juice interaction by accident. We went on to describe the origins of the grapefruit-drug interaction discovery this way: In those days many health professionals did not believe grapefruit could pose a problem. “How can something as simple as grapefruit juice cause any problems with my blood pressure medicine?” I love grapefruits and used to have one with breakfast until I read in your column that grapefruit juice affects Procardia. I take Procardia for high blood pressure and angina. “My doctor says your caution about grapefruit juice is nonsense. Others may become quite toxic if taken with the wrong stuff.” The Nifedipine (Procardia) Nastiness: It wasn’t long after writing that newspaper column that we received this nasty note: Many drugs are less effective if they are taken with food. The Food and Drug Administration has been lax about requiring companies to do the proper tests and inform health care providers about food and drug interactions. “We can’t blame Bruce’s doctor or his pharmacist for not warning him about these interactions. Levels of these medications could build up unexpectedly and lead to adverse reactions if they are taken with grapefruit juice. “Components of grapefruit juice affect an enzyme that is responsible for the metabolism of a number of drugs, including Seldane (terfenadine), Adalat (nifedipine), Procardia (nifedipine), and Plendil (felodipine). Grapefruit and Other Drugs: In that decades-old column, we added this warning about grapefruit: The heart palpitations that resulted could have led to a lethal change in heart rhythm. But Bruce unwittingly flirted with death when he swallowed his Seldane with grapefruit juice (GJ). No one had told him that Cipro would boost caffeine levels in his system and lead to a prolonged effect.Īlthough unsettling, this interaction was not serious. He felt jittery and uncomfortable, and had trouble holding the camera steady. He was surprised when he was wired for hours after his usual double cappuccino. The only instructions on either prescription were: “Take two times a day.”īruce liked a strong cup of coffee to get going in the morning. His doctor prescribed Seldane to control the allergies and Cipro for an ear infection. Because Bruce suffered from allergies, he was vulnerable to sinusitis. He had to be both focused and calm to get the best shots for his news magazine. We went on to describe the story of Bruce, a professional photographer. Check the average prescription and you will find instructions that are inadequate, ambiguous or incomplete.” Bruce Dodged the Grapefruit Bullet: But they don’t admit that they are partly to blame. They cite statistics that 125,000 people die every year because of medication mistakes. “Physicians and pharmacists often complain that patients don’t take their medicine properly. Here’s what stirred up the hornet’s nest: We wrote a newspaper column nearly 30 years ago that made many doctors mad as hornets. Grapefruit and Drug Interactions Stir People Up: For example, can you take simvastatin or atorvastatin with grapefruit juice? It’s much more complicated than you might think. That is especially true when it comes to statins. Instructions about how to take medicine can be very confusing. Patients may feel like they are also on a conveyer belt when it comes to taking pills. Some pharmacists have confided to us that they feel like they are in an I love Lucy skit like this one where Lucy and Ethel wrap chocolates. Physicians and pharmacists are super busy these days.
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