What medications should not be taken when eating grapefruit?
Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine). Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Neoral and Sandimmune capsule or oral solution (both cyclosporine).
Can you eat grapefruit if you take high blood pressure medicine?
Grapefruit contains compounds that may interfere with how your body absorbs some drugs, including some blood pressure medicines. It can leave too much or too little of the drug in your bloodstream, which may be dangerous. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist if grapefruit could affect the medicine you’re taking.
Why is grapefruit not good for heart patients?
Grapefruit juice may enhance drug toxicity for antiarrhythmic agents such as amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide, or propafenone, and for the congestive heart failure drug, carvediol. Some drugs for the treatment of peripheral or central vascular disease also have the potential to interact with grapefruit juice.
Does grapefruit raise blood pressure?
Citrus fruits, including grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, may have powerful blood-pressure-lowering effects. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that may help keep your heart healthy by reducing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure ( 4 ).
Why should you not eat grapefruit with blood pressure medicine?
Though grapefruit does not interfere with most blood pressure medications, it can cause a few medications to overcorrect blood pressure.
What vitamins does grapefruit interfere with?
Taking grapefruit with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk for a serious heart issue. Examples of supplements with this effect include bitter orange, ephedra, iboga, and Panax ginseng. Drinking grapefruit juice when taking licorice might increase licorice’s ability to lower potassium levels.
Why can’t you eat grapefruit with certain medicines?
Chemicals in grapefruit interfere with an enzyme in the intestines called CYP3A4, which affects how your body breaks down and absorbs certain medicines. When you eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, you can either absorb too much or not enough of these medicines.
Can you take vitamin D with grapefruit?
Drug and food interactions Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels and effects of medications like felodipine. You may be more likely to experience side effects such as headache, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, swelling, and fluid retention.