Grapefruit and Peg?

[Mackydee123]

Hi everyone

I remember reading somewhere that you should avoid grapefruit if you are on Peg Interferon as it can interact with the drug. Anyway, I was out on a leaving do on Friday night on the G&T’s loaded with grapefruit and tonic, having clearly forgot to avoid the luscious fruit and have since been itching all over! My skin is on fire!! No other symptoms or untoward effects just wildfire all over!

Has anyone else experienced this? Such a shame as I do like grapefruit but I’m afraid I’m going to have to shelve it as this itching ain’t worth it...you would think I have ants in my pants 😫😂

Hope you’re all having a lovely bank holiday weekend 😊

Kerry

[Superwoman]

Not funny, having ants in your pants is it, 🐜🐜 🤪 I was told to avoid grapefruit and I am on Hydroxycarbamide, and Thyroxin and this is another drug that you have to avoid grapefruit, why I do not know as like you I loved it.

Must be that it can interfere with the drugs and the way they work. It’s like people that are on Warfarin, must not eat cranberries, lettuces, and too much broccoli as they effect that drug.

Hope the itching stops soon. And as for the weather it’s tipping it down here in Bromley, and really cold. 🌧💦🌨 great British bank holiday weather.

Jean

[Mackydee123 in reply to Superwoman]

Yip, in true bank holiday fashion it’s lashing here in Belfast! On my way to work tho so no rainy Sunday sofa day for me.

It’s so weird but it’s obviously doing something as it’s my blood that’s itchy lol. Thankfully no where near as bad as yesterday. I’ve just finished my hay fever pills for the year also, last week, wonder if the antihistamines might have helped a bit 🙄.

So long grapefruit my friend 😂

Kerry

[Superwoman in reply to Mackydee123]

Gosh is the Pope not in Ireland this weekend as well, not nice weather for all the people that are going to see him.

I would of thought the antihistamine would help, alway remember as a young girl getting prickly heat and being told to take an antihistamine, trouble was in those days they used to make me really drowsy could not function properly, but now they are all non drowsy which is great, so yeas maybe you need to start taking a few while the grapefruit gets out of your system, and stick with the lemon and ice instead with your G &T 🍋🍸

Jean

[Rachelthepotter]

Hi

Grapefruit and seville oranges ( as in marmalade) are notorious for changing the way you absorb various drugs. Does the patient info leaflet in the Pegasys pack say anything about it? For itching, I’ve been recommended Zyrtac plus Zantac. The combination calms down both of the histamine systems that can cause itch. But do talk to your CNS / haematologist/ GP/ pharmacist ( whoever knows most and is accessible).

[Wyebird]

I’ve been told not to mix statins with grapefruit but not hydroxicarbomide. Sounds like the best thing you can do is go to a specialist GIN bar for a taster session. You definitely need an alternative. I like gin ginger and rhubarb mixed with pink lemonade.😬

[Mackydee123 in reply to Wyebird]

Ooh that sounds lush!!! I will deffo keep that in mind! 🍸😁