Is it safe to eat Grapefruit while taking certain medication?

[Auds5]

Hi all.

I absolutely love grapefruit but just looking some advice if grapefruit is safe to eat with certain medication as I've heard that it can work against them.

I've been diagnosed with PBC & AIH and therefore have a mixture of tablets to take.

My meds are Rifampicin, Prednisone, Omeprazole, Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Mercaptopurine.

Hope someone can shed some light on this for me.

Thanks

Auds5

AIHRIFAMPINPREDNISONEOMEPRA

[Ktltel]

Auds5,

Hello,

I'm sorry I can't answer your question but I saw no one responded to it. I'd make a phone call to your doctor or his nurse, or your local pharmacy even. Let them know everything your taking and ask them about the grapefruit. You might post what they say back on here.... then we'll all know. We learn from each other that way. Hope you get some answers. ❤

Stella

[butterflyEi]

Hi Auds5

I believe grapefruit is contraindicated if you take a statin. However Ktltel has made a good suggestion to contact your pharmacist for the most up to date information.

best wishes

[cazer]

i know grapefruit is a no go after transplant if you are on prograf(anti rejection drug).... but don't know about those ones for sure... check with doctors.... they will know for definite. cheers cazer

[SandraS]

Hi, i used to take verapamil for a heart condition and wasn't allowed grapefruit. It was clearly marked on the patient info leaflet that came with the pills. There is a list in Wikipedia so might be worth a look but Do check with your doctor or even the pharmacist should be able to tell you.

[gwillistexas]

Grapefruit can be fatal with statins.

[gwillistexas]

Ktltel is right. If your drug warning info doesn't specify, call pharmacist.

[kandiepat]

HI, I'm on blood pressure medication and my doctor told me to stay away from Grapefruit in all its forms, because of the medication not pbc. I hope this helps. Kandiepat

[badpiglet]

Hi Auds5,

Check with your doctor as grapefruit and grapefruit juice and fruity soft drinks that contain grapefruit juice (but don't necessarily say they do on the label) and Seville oranges can all interact with many medications.

[Cressy]

A lot of my friends have said to stay away from grapefruit if taking meds for high blood pressure. I checked with my GP and she said no need to cut out grapefruit. She said that it is possible that in some cases the grapefruit can make the medication ineffective.

[Auds5]

Hi All.

Thank you all so much for your replies. As advised, I contacted my Pharmacist who informed me that grapefruit or grapefruit juice does affect my medicine.

He explained that the chemicals in grapefruit and grapefruit juice make my liver absorb either too much or not enough of the medicine in my bloodstream. Therefore altering the dosage prescribed by my Consultant and changing the effects of the medicine.

So thats the end of grapefruit for me ☹ but least I know for sure now. Thanks again for all your help.

Auds5