Nr 228 Grapefruit Mixed With Prescription Drugs Can Be Deadly

Refreshing and delicious grapefruit is rich in phyto-nutrients like lycopene, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. The fruit is well known as “fruit from the paradise“ for its unique health-promoting as well as disease preventing properties especially among the health-conscious, fitness enthusiasts. But, recent studies have shown that in over 85 drug interactions with grapefruit – 43 of them can be serious. Prescription drugs can interact with grapefruit – it doesn’t matter if it’s fresh, frozen or juice. They can all cause problems.  This grapefruit – prescription drugs interaction can happen with drugs which are used every day by a lot of people: medications for high cholesterol, high blood pressure or fight cancer. 

This grapefruit – medications problem is known for almost 20 years now, but some people still don’t think is dangerous for them and their health. But, the effects of mixing these two things can be really serious sometimes, including death. Dr. David Bailey, pharmacologist at the Canadian Clinic, says the number of prescription drugs which can cause some serious adverse reactions is increasing day by day. 

For example, if you drink 1 tablet of some prescriptive medications with a glass of grapefruit is the same as taking 20 tablets with a glass of water. Or in other word you can call it unwanted overdosing. A lot of these prescription drugs are incompatible, such as: antibiotics, calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure and some cholesterol-lowering medications.

The most vulnerable group to this deadly combination are people older than 45, because they are the biggest buyers of grapefruit and prescription drugs. You should also know this very important information that except all sources of grapefruit (fresh, juice, frozen), other fruits that come from the same family such as: Seville oranges, limes and pomelos can’t be mixed with certain medications too. 

Some doctors also say that toxic interaction between grapefruit and prescription medications can happen even if someone drinks or eats grapefruit hours before taking the medication. Even though he ate the grapefruit for breakfast and took the medication for dinner, it can still cause some serious problems.