Did you know that grapefruit affects drug efficacy?

The active ingredients in grapefruit can inhibit the activity of liver drug enzymes, and many drugs need to be excreted by the metabolism of liver drug enzymes. If you take this type of medicine and eat grapefruit at the same time, the drug can not be metabolized and accumulate in the body, which may cause the drug effect to be too strong, affect the treatment, and even cause adverse reactions.

Lipid-lowering drugs: If you eat citrons during attenuating medications such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin, the patient will develop muscle pain and increase the possibility of rhabdomyolysis. In severe cases, acute renal failure may also occur.

Antihypertensive drugs: Because grapefruit itself also has antihypertensive effect, plus it can also increase the blood drug concentration of antihypertensive drugs, taking nifedipine, nimodipine, verapamil and other antihypertensive drugs to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit Juice, such as overdosage, causes a sudden drop in blood pressure, ranging in severity from dizziness, palpitation, and fatigue, to weight-induced angina, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

Calming sleeping pills: Citrus will increase the likelihood of dizziness and drowsiness caused by diazepam (and stability), midazolam, and other drugs. Attention should be paid especially to high-altitude workers and drivers during drug use.

Contraceptives: Grapefruit will hinder women's absorption of contraceptives. Women taking contraceptives may consume contraceptives if they consume grapefruit after sex.

Anti-allergic drugs: Citron may induce adverse reactions such as anti-allergic drugs such as terfenadine, causing dizziness, heart palpitations, arrhythmia and other symptoms.

Immunosuppressants: Citrus can increase the blood concentration of cyclosporine and other immunosuppressants, increasing liver and kidney toxicity. If such drugs are eaten with fruits such as grapefruit for a long time, there is a danger of inducing tumors.

In addition, experts warn that it is grapefruit that is currently not approved to be eaten with drugs. It is not ordinary citron that we often see. It remains controversial whether ordinary grapefruit can be eaten with drugs. However, some domestic experts also stated that grapefruit and grapefruit are similar to pomelo fruit and should have similar effects, and they cannot be used together with drugs.

In short, for the sake of safety, it is best to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice within 3 days before taking the medicine and within 6 hours after taking the medicine. It is best not to eat fruits such as citrus fruits. Otherwise, you should consult a doctor to adjust the dosage, or follow the doctor's advice for other drugs.