Guest guest Posted August 26, 2003 Report Share Posted August 26, 2003 Grapefruit & Drug Action I heard that grapefruit can interfere with the action of certain drugs and should be avoided. Does this warning apply to other citrus fruit as well? No. Citrus fruits are an important part of a good diet because they provide vitamin C and other essential nutrients. The reason that grapefruit is problematic with certain drugs is that it contains high levels of a flavonoid (plant pigment) called naringin. This substance reduces the activity of a group of P450 enzymes known as CYP3A enzymes. These enzymes are the ones your body uses to break down certain drugs, such as calcium channel blockers (used in the treatment of high blood pressure), sedatives (for example, midazolam), and cyclosporin (an immune suppressant given to people who have received organ transplants). If the drugs are not metabolized, they remain in the body in higher concentrations. This increases the risk of unwanted toxic effects. If you are taking a prescription medication, ask your doctor if you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. Some drugs, such as Neoral (oral cyclosporin), already carry a warning. For citrus lovers, there are plenty of other choices. Oranges, tangerines, tangelos, and tangors do not contain significant amounts of naringin but are packed full of other types of flavonoids. http://www.doctormurray.com/Qarchive/citrus.htm JoAnn Guest mrsjoguest DietaryTipsForHBP http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Botanicals.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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