Grapefruit Juice and Wellness: Drug Interactions

Do you love your grapefruit juice? I do, but it's interesting to note that grapefruit juice and a number of commonly taken medicines don't mix.

Grapefruit and its juice can raise levels of certain drugs to a danger point. This is because grapefruit contains substances that disable an enzyme in the small intestine that would otherwise break down the drugs. This happens quickly and can last a day or longer. In other cases grapefruit juice can lower levels of a few drugs by reducing absorption.

Here are some drugs that don't mix with grapefruit:

1) cholesterol-lowering statin drugs such as lipitor, mevacor and zocor;
2) high blood pressure drugs such as procardia;
3)tranquilizers such as valium, halcion and sonata;
4)antidepressants such as zoloft;
5)antihistamines such as allegra;
6)drugs for erectile dysfunction such as viagra and levitra

If you take any medications, and not necessarily only those mentioned above, ask your doctor or pharmacist about taking grapefruit juice. Many drugs carry a warning label if there is a problem with grapefruit; however the absence of a warning does not mean that there is no interaction with grapefruit.

Drink juice and be safe