This may affect heart rhythm or function ( 1).īecause antimicrobials are generally taken for a limited time, perhaps it’s easiest to simply avoid grapefruit while taking these medications. Levels of the HIV medications rilpivirine and maraviroc, in addition to primaquine-related antimalarial drugs, are also increased by grapefruit. A study comparing grapefruit juice to water in patients taking erythromycin showed that the juice increased the drug’s blood levels by 84% ( 11).Įxcess levels of this medication can disrupt heart rhythm ( 11). Primaquine and related antimalarial drugsĮrythromycin is used to treat several types of bacterial infections.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/FlickrĬollectively called antimicrobials, these anti-infection medications vary widely in their actions and breakdown in the body.Īlthough antimicrobials are one of the most diverse categories of medications, there are only a few medications with known important grapefruit interactions: Summary: Though grapefruit does not interfere with most blood pressure medications, it can cause a few medications to over-correct blood pressure.Ī scanning electron micrograph of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA (purple). Excessive eplerenone levels can cause too much potassium in the blood, which can interfere with heart rhythm ( 1). This may limit its ability to control blood pressure ( 7).Įplerenone works similarly to losartan, but its levels increase when taken with grapefruit. Losartan is unusual in that its effects decrease - instead of increase - with grapefruit. This resulted in a rapid drop in blood pressure, which could be dangerous if unsupervised ( 6). One study found blood levels of nifedipine increased dramatically when taken with about 2 cups (500 ml) of grapefruit juice, compared to no juice. The last two medications in this list work by decreasing the activity of a hormone called angiotensin 2, which naturally increases blood pressure. They work by changing the way your blood vessels use calcium, relaxing the vessels and relieving blood pressure. The first two medications in this list are known as calcium channel blockers. However, the following four blood pressure medications should be used cautiously: Most types of blood pressure medicine are not affected by grapefruit. With that in mind, here is detailed information about 32 common medications that may interact with grapefruit, categorized by use. It’s significant: For a small number of drugs, grapefruit’s effects can be serious.Taking your medication a few hours apart from consuming it isn’t long enough. It lasts several days: Grapefruit’s ability to affect medication lasts for 1–3 days.It doesn’t take much: One whole grapefruit or one glass of grapefruit juice is enough to alter how these medications affect you.There are three things to know in order to understand if and how you can safely consume grapefruit with these medications. In fact, studies show that they increase the blood levels of over 85 medications ( 1).īy slowing down the way in which CYPs normally break down medications in your gut and liver, grapefruit can increase the side effects of these drugs ( 1).
Grapefruit and a few of its close relatives, such as Seville oranges, tangelos, pomelos and Minneolas, contain a class of chemicals called furanocoumarins.įuranocoumarins disrupt the normal function of CYPs. Medications are processed in your liver and small intestine by a specialized group of proteins called cytochrome P450 (CYPs).ĬYPs break down medications, reducing the blood levels of many of them. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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