Grapefruit and Statin do not mix!

[sandybrown]

Something I found out today on grapefruit and statin, it appears we need to understand this because of interference..

I do not take grapefruit as it interferes with Allergy medication.

[Hidden]

Not sure which allergy medication you are referring to Bala, but your reference to statins and grapefruit is why I refused to take a statin. It was offered as my Qrisk was 14% and NICE in their wisdom decided that well people with a risk of over 10% should be taking them regardless.

I can't imagine never being able to have grapefruit again so declined the statin thank you. I resented the offer anyway. It was the same with Amlodipine that I was offered for hypertension: I refused that also, for the same reason.

[sandybrown in reply to Hidden]

Please Google " Interaction of Grapefruit with Antihistamines" you can find lot of information.

[YvonneD]

When a pharmacist gives out statins - it always should say on the label to not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice.

[sandybrown in reply to YvonneD]

I am afraid how the system works!

[OliasOfSunhillow]

Another good reason for not taking statins. When you cannot eat health providing foods such as green leafy vegetables or grapefruit you know something does not add up.

[sandybrown]

I am doing an online course on Science and Medicine, the interaction between statin medicine and grape fruit is being discussed!

I am all for taking medication when it is necessary to help humans but an explanation of food intake and the interaction for medication and food has to be given out.

[Hidden]

I seem to remember reading some time ago that in USA, where people pay for each drug, doctors suggested having 1/2 the dose of the statin and a grapefruit - as the smaller statins were cheaper. The theory was that grapefruit roughly doubled the effect of the statin.

This only applied to some types of statins (see gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage... & gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage... ) - Simvastatin seems to be a no-no with any grapefruit whilst Atorvastatin seems to be OK with small quantities. Others (including Rosuvastatin) seem to be safe with grapefruit.

Here in the UK, of course, that doesn't apply as prescriptions are charged at a fixed rate.

Personally I'd prefer to be alive longer by using statins, rather than live for a shorter time whilst enjoying grapefruit... Luckily I'm on Rosuvastatin, so happily enjoy my 1/2 grapefruit on Christmas Morning.