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Grapefruit interacts with various enzymes and transporters in the body. When it does, it tends to make some prescription medications either less or more effective. An excellent article on health.com lists all of the prescription drugs that grapefruit effects. Let’s run through them so you’re in the know.

• Statins: Used to lower cholesterol; grapefruit can elevate their levels and increases a risk of muscle damage.

• Calcium Channel Blockers: high blood pressure medications; grapefruit may enhance their effects and may crash your blood pressure.

• Estrogen-containing Medications: Most common are birth control pills; grapefruit raises estrogen levels with a greater risk of side effects.

• Immunosuppressants: Taken to prevent transplanted organ rejection; grapefruit increases drug levels with a risk of kidney toxicity.

• Benzodiazepines: Anti-anxiety drugs; grapefruit boosts their sedative effects producing excess drowsiness.

• Corticosteroids: Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medication; grapefruit elevates steroid levels which can trigger or worsen diabetes.

• Anti-Arrhythmics: given to suppress irregular heart rhythms; grapefruit can enhance the effect and precipitate dangerous heart rhythms.

• Diabetes Medications: prescribed for type 2 diabetes; grapefruit can raise drug levels with more side effects including dangerous depression of blood sugar levels.

• Antihistamines: taken for allergies; grapefruit can reduce the effectiveness of certain antihistamines, particularly the non-sedating ones.

• Blood Thinners: including clopidogrel; grapefruit can increase bleeding risk by elevating drug levels.

• Cancer Medications: Grapefruit increases drug levels increasing toxicity.

• Antibiotics: Grapefruit elevates drug levels and side effects.

• Opioids: Grapefruit increases drug levels leading to respiratory suppression.

• Erectile Dysfunction Drugs: Grapefruit increases levels with dangerous blood pressure suppression.

A good tip is always to check for interactions between the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take as well as between them and foods you consume. Your medical team including your pharmacist can do this for you. You can easily do this yourself on the website WebMD

https://www.health.com/how-grapefruit-can-affect-your-medications-8744002

https://www.webmd.com/interaction-checker/default.htm

#grapefruit #medications #interactions