Grapefruit and drugs

Natural Health, Feb, 2008 by Dan King, Carolyn Dean

Your "Ask the Experts" column [November, page 102] warned against consuming grapefruit juice with drugs in a few specific cases. But not all of the drugs within the listed classes interact with grapefruit: Scientific studies have proven that patients can safely consume grapefruit with Pravachol (pravastatin) and Lescol (fluvastatin), as well as Morvasc (amlodipine) and Caardizzem (diltiazem). Go to druginteraction center.org for a complete list of drugs that interact with grapefruit and the level of their interaction.

Dan King, Ph.D., director of scientific research, Florida Department of Citrus

Grapefruit inhibits an enzyme that breaks down certain medications, rendering them too potent. Grapefruit itself isn't toxic, but the drugs-at high levels--can be. If you're taking blood pressure or statin medications, speak to your doctor about whether grapefruit will interact with the drug you've been prescribed.

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--Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., member of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine_ and Natural Health Advisory Board