However, it is safe to consult with a health expert about the risk while taking statins and grapefruit together or even avoid taking statins with grapefruit juice. Recent studies on grapefruit and statins interaction suggest that moderate grapefruit consumption can be compatible with taking statin drugs. Because of biological variability, the effects differ from one person to anotherand even from one batch of grapefruit juice to another ( Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Jan. For people who take statins and grapefruit on the same day, it could cause side effects. Grapefruit can interact with dozens of drugs, including some very popular cholesterol-lowering medications (Lipitor, Mevacor and Zocor). The interaction that occurs when grapefruit and statins are taken together differs from person to person. Statins side effects: Why drinking or eating grapefruit can be dangerous STATINS are cholesterol-lowering medications prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke. In normal circumstances, a 300 mL glass of grapefruit juice in the. your dosage of simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin is >40 mg. Thus, it is safe to take medication through an injection, to avoid grapefruit interaction. grapefruit juice is taken concomitantly with statins. The interaction between grapefruit and medications poses side effects only when the medication is taken orally as the interaction occurs in the digestive tract. This is an issue only for atorvastatin and simvastatin and is only problematic at the highest dosages." According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, the drug interaction is strong only with two types of statins - simvastatin (Zocor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor).ĭr Steven Nissen, Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Medicine Department Chair at Cleveland Clinic's Heart and Vascular Institute, said, "Only certain statin medications interact negatively with grapefruit. These statins, including atorvastatin (Lipitor®), simvastatin (Zocor®) and fluvastatin (Lescol®), are more likely to cause muscle aches. However, not all statins interact the same way with grapefruit. Drugs that are used to treat nausea, urinary tract infections, heart conditions, immunosuppressants and anxiety drugs interact with grapefruit. People over 65 years of age and women are at a higher risk for side effects from statins.Īs many as 85 prescription drugs interact with grapefruit. Statins cause other side effects such as muscle and joint pain, increased blood sugar, digestive disorders, and neurological side effects, including memory loss and confusion. According to a report by the Food and Drug Administration, the interaction increases the risk of muscle breakdown, kidney failure and liver damage. The interaction of grapefruit and statins increases the side effects of the drugs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |