Grapefruit Juice: Interactions with Prescription Drugs

Grapefruit “Juicy” Details on Health Benefits and Drug Interactions
Presentation by:Elaine Turner & Gail Rampersaud, FSHN
University of Florida

Grapefruit Juice: Interactions with Prescription Drugs
Grapefruit Juice: What’s the Story?

Some pills become too potent when you drink grapefruit juice Grapefruit juice and drugs don’t mix
Forbidden Fruit? Grapefruit Juice-Medicine Interaction Studied Grapefruit Takes the Defense Sex, drugs, and grapefruit

Food/Drug Interactions
Food can affect:
* absorption
* utilization
* excretion
Influence can be:
* positive
* negative

Effects of Grapefruit Juice Enhances Absorption
* inhibits an intestinal enzyme
* less metabolism in GI tract
* like giving larger dose

Normal Drug Metabolism
ORAL DOSE
ENZYME
LIVER
GI TRACT
BLOOD
Effect of Grapefruit Juice
Enzyme Inhibition
Effects of Grapefruit Juice
Are All Drugs Affected? – no!

* oral medications only
* low bioavailability
* amount of effect varies

Which Types of Drugs are Affected?
* Antihypertensives
* Immunosuppressants
* “Statins”
* Anti-anxiety, Antidepressants
* Antihistamines
* HIV/AIDS protease inhibitors

Which Types of Drugs are Affected?
* Usually an alternative drug is available
o e.g., Pravachol instead of Lipitor

Consumer Actions
Ask Pharmacist:
Consumer Actions
Ask Physician:
Take Home Message
Media Statements:

* Usually too general
* Talk with pharmacist and physician
* May not need to avoid grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice and drugs don’t mix.ppt