Grapefruit is known for its health benefits due to vitamin C and potassium, but it may be a dangerous combination when consumed with certain medicines. This is due to the presence of furanocumarines, natural chemicals in the fruit that can interfere with the metabolism of certain medications, which can lead to unwanted effects.
Risk of overdose: Grapefruit can interfere with some medicines by increasing the concentration of the active substance in the bloodstream. This is because the furanocumarines in grapefruit inhibit the enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 that breaks down many medicines. If this enzyme is inhibited, more medication may enter the blood stream and stay there longer, which can lead to overdose and serious side effects.
Risk of underdosing: On the other hand grapefruit can also have the opposite effect and reduce the concentration of certain medicines in the blood, reducing the effectiveness of the medication. This is because the fruit affects proteins in the body that are responsible for transporting drug molecules, thereby reducing the concentration in the medicine's blood.
Risk factors:
- The amount of grapefruit or grapefruit consumed.
- The frequency of consumption.
- The time between eating grapefruit and taking medication, with a minimum of 24 hours recommended.
- The patient's age, as the percentage of people taking medication gradually increases after their 50th.
Medicinal products which may interact with grapefruit:
- statins (cholesterol-lowering medicines)
- Calcium antagonists (medicines to treat high blood pressure)
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
- Platelet aggregation inhibitors (medicines that prevent blood clots)
- Immunosuppressants (medicines that suppress the immune system)
- Certain antidepressants and anxiolytics
- Certain cancer medicines
This list is not exhaustive, and it is important to always read the package leaflet for medicines and consult a doctor if you are consuming grapefruit or grapefruit while taking medication.
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