• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Friday, June 9, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Grapefruit juice can make some medications toxic

by MSR News Online
March 26, 2014
53
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

 

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

Dr. Crutchfield, my brother tells me his doctor told him that he should not drink grapefruit juice while on a new cholesterol medication. Why is that?

 

Grapefruit juice is a natural, delicious, nutritious drink that has positive health benefits. Some estimates say that as many as 20 percent of all Americans consume grapefruit juice on a regular basis.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Scientists discovered several years ago (quite by accident) that grapefruit juice binds to and blocks a certain enzyme in the gastrointestinal tract where medicines are absorbed. When the enzymes are blocked, they do not break down the medicine anymore, and as a result, much more medication is absorbed, leading to much higher blood levels of the medicine than anticipated. In some cases, the amount of medicine absorbed can lead to unpredictable and dangerously high levels, sometimes even toxic.

Researchers have discovered that this effect can last for 24 hours. Thus, having even just one glass of grapefruit juice a day can cause this problem. It is important to note that it is not solely grapefruit juice that can alter the absorption levels of medications.

Here is a partial list of medications that are not compatible with grapefruit juice, unless advised by a doctor:

advice.grapefruit.webCholesterol-lowering drugs such as: lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin)

Certain antihistamines

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Blood pressure medication (calcium channel blockers) such as: felodipine (Nitrendipine, Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)

Psychiatric medications such as: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)

Immunosuppressants such as: cyclosporine (Neoral), (tacrolimus) Prograf

Pain and addiction medications such as Methadone

Erectile dysfunction medications such as sildenafil (Viagra)

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Anti-HIV medications such as: saquinavir (Invirase)

advice.meds.webHeart medications such as: amiodarone (Cordarone)

Other foods, such as those containing vitamin K (Brussels sprouts, spinach and kale) can affect blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin. Dairy products containing calcium can also interfere with certain antibiotics and thyroid medications, and caffeine can interfere with certain antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin.

Any time you start a new medication, it’s always important to ask your doctor or pharmacist about any potential side effects or potential interactions between other medications you are taking. It is also important to inquire about any dietary supplements/vitamins you are consuming.

Specifically ask your physician or pharmacist if it is OK to drink grapefruit juice with any of your medications.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

 

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the U.S. by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the top 21 African American physicians in the U.S. by the Atlanta Post. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians, MABP.org. 

 

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Marrow transplant recipient finds a way to pay it forward

Next Post

Be part of the sunshine! Change the system!

MSR News Online

Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.

You Might Also Like

Grant pays for removal of lead-based paint for homeowners, landlords
Bulletin

Grant pays for removal of lead-based paint for homeowners, landlords

Summer’s in bloom, including ‘Solar Meadows’ in MN
Go Green

Summer’s in bloom, including ‘Solar Meadows’ in MN

Black Business Spotlight: Sweet Heaven by Nne
Black Business Spotlight

Black Business Spotlight: Sweet Heaven by Nne

One fan’s All-Black All-25 team
Sports

One fan’s All-Black All-25 team

Wear Orange: Support ending gun violence
Opinion

Wear Orange: Support ending gun violence

New York, other states grapple with worsening air pollution due to Canadian wildfires
National

New York, other states grapple with worsening air pollution due to Canadian wildfires

Next Post

Be part of the sunshine! Change the system!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Minneapolis
◉
84°
Fair
5:26 am8:58 pm CDT
SatSunMonTueWed
77/52°F
73/54°F
82/61°F
88/63°F
88/61°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Apr 13
April 13 @ 7:30 pm-June 10 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

Jun 9
8:00 am-5:00 pm Recurring

Free Fresh Food Friday

Jun 9
10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring

Preserving Nature Photos by Walter Griffin: REFLECTIONS

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...