Guest guest Posted November 5, 2003 Report Share Posted November 5, 2003 >THIS WAS FOUND BY THE MODERATOR OF MY GROUP. HOPE IT IS HELPFUL =================================================================== > > Grapefruit juice and your medications > > Grapefruit juice boosts the effects of many medications. It contains > a substance called furanocoumarin that, by some quirk of nature, > binds with a set of enzymes in the small intestine. Usually those > enzymes break down a fairly high portion of many medications before > they're absorbed. But grapefruit juice handcuffs them. More > medication gets pulled into the bloodstream. And more medication in > the bloodstream usually means a stronger effect. > > This chain of events was first seen with felodipine (Plendil), a > calcium-channel blocker. Now the list of drugs that get "juiced up" > by grapefruit juice includes other calcium-channel blockers, anti- > anxiety drugs, some drugs that suppress the immune system, and many > of the cholesterol-lowering drugs in the statin family (Lipitor, > Mevacor, Zocor, other brands). Grapefruit juice doesn't increase the > effect of pravastatin (Pravachol), however, because it is > metabolized differently. If you enjoy grapefruit juice and take > prescription medications, here's what you need to know: > > * The absorption-enhancing effect of grapefruit juice tapers off > with time, so if you drink a glass of grapefruit juice in the > morning and take your medications at night, there should be > little effect from the juice. > > * If you don't already take your medications with grapefruit > juice, don't start. Doing so could increase the effects of the > drugs beyond what your doctor intended. > > * If you already take medication with grapefruit juice, and > haven't experienced ill effects, talk with your doctor. Most > likely, it isn't a problem, but it's a good idea to inform your > physician (particularly if he or she decides to change the dose > of your prescription). > > Most of the oranges and orange juice consumed in the United States > don't have the same effect as grapefruit and its juice. But Seville > oranges (which are sour and used to make marmalade) and tangelos > (hybrids of grapefruit and other citrus fruits, usually tangerines) > do, and so may also affect the absorption of some drugs. > > To date, almost all of the research has been on grapefruit juice. > But several years ago, Canadian researchers compared grapefruit > juice with segments from a whole grapefruit and a concoction that > included grapefruit peel. The juice, the whole fruit, and the peel > concoction all boosted blood levels of the test medication. The peel > had the biggest effect. The evidence for grapefruit juice affecting > drug metabolism is much stronger, but it seems that grapefruit > itself might also be a problem. ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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