Grapefruit Juice Interactions With Medications

Grapefruit can increase the levels of many drugs including lovastatin(Mevacor, Altocor"), simvastatin(Zocor"), Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam(Xanax") and some calcium channel blockers, drugs used largely to treat high blood pressure.

The mere separation of the juice consumption from the time of taking the pill does not change the risk for interactions that can be noticeable in some cases. Indeed, the effect of the grapefruit juice can last up to three days or longer.

The fruit itself can be a problem also. Keep tuned since tangelos, limes and Seville oranges may also change the levels of some medicines.

For a chart showing all the grapefruit interactions with medicines, contact Eldon Armstrong at Medicinecheck@cs.com. Indicate "HawthorneSC request" in your message area.