Doctors are not sure which of the hundreds of chemicals in grapefruit are responsible. The leading candidate is furanocoumarin. It is also found in Seville (sour) oranges and tangelos; although these fruits have not been studied in detail, the guidelines for grapefruit should apply to them as well.
Grapefruit’s culprit chemical does not interact directly with your pills. Instead, it binds to an enzyme in your intestinal tract known as CYP3A4, which reduces the absorption of certain medications. When grapefruit juice blocks the enzyme, it’s easier for the medication to pass from your gut to your bloodstream. Blood levels will rise faster and higher than normal, and in some cases the abnormally high levels can be dangerous.
Did you know that the pomelo is the original grapefruit?
The pomelo is one of the four original citrus species, from which the rest of cultivated citrus hybridized. Specially the common orange and the grapefruit are assumed to be natural occurring hybrids between the pomelo and the mandarin, of which the pomelo provided the bigger size and firmness.
I just asked the pharmacist about this, as it is contraindicated with Lipitor too. She told me that for certain meds, it can block absorption, decreasing blood levels to less effective AND it can enhance blood levels, raising them higher than they should be.
I got the impression if you eat or drink it occasionally, it's not a problem. But it is a bad idea to eat or drink it regularly.
Did you know that the pomelo is the original grapefruit?
The pomelo is one of the four original citrus species, from which the rest of cultivated citrus hybridized. Specially the common orange and the grapefruit are assumed to be natural occurring hybrids between the pomelo and the mandarin, of which the pomelo provided the bigger size and firmness.
I love pomelo! The first time I ever had it was in Cambodia. So refreshing!
ETA: To the point of the post, I have also heard that grapefruit prevents the liver from metabolizing various medications. (Kind of like antibiotics decrease the effectiveness of birth control?) My first gynecologist actually warned me about it when she gave me my first Rx for BC.
intentionalsnarkshark - I take that too. I've been tempted to experiment a little bit to see if eating a bunch of grapefruit for a few days makes me feel any different...but if I eat/take that much vitamin C I tend to get UTIs...so...I just avoid grapefruit now
I wasn't allowed to take it when I was on pills for GERD. But citrus fruits aren't good with the GERD in the first place so I never put much thought into it.
I didn't know it can make side effects of some meds worse, that's interesting.
I wasn't allowed to take it when I was on pills for GERD. But citrus fruits aren't good with the GERD in the first place so I never put much thought into it.
I didn't know it can make side effects of some meds worse, that's interesting.
Clearly my job is infecting my brain, because I read your last sentence as,"I didn't know it can make my side effect mad worse..."