

This protein helps the body move drugs into cells. Research shows that these flavonoids can block a protein called organic anion transporter polypeptide, or OATP. Grapefruit juice also contains flavonoids, including naringin and hesperidin. Even as little as 200 ml of grapefruit juice, which is less than 1 cup, can be enough to cause this interaction. The effect of furanocoumarins on CYP3A4 is irreversible, and it can take the body around 3 days to produce new CYP3A4. Share on Pinterest Grapefruit can affect the body’s absorption of certain drugs.Ĭompounds in grapefruit called furanocoumarins can block the function of CYP3A4, a digestive enzyme that helps the body metabolize around 50 percent of drugs.īlocking this enzyme means that certain drugs stay in the body for longer than normal and build up in the bloodstream, which can increase the risk of harmful effects and, in some cases, can be fatal. While these studies suggest potential benefits of drinking grapefruit juice for people with diabetes, more research is needed to confirm these findings in humans. The researchers believe that this result was due to compounds in the grapefruit juice suppressing glucose production in the rat’s livers. In a 2015 study, rats with drug-induced diabetes that drank grapefruit juice for 60 days experienced a decrease in fasting blood sugar levels compared to those that just drank water. The researchers stated that the mice drank the equivalent 3.5 to 4 cups of grapefruit juice a day for an average 70 kg adult person. However, the mice on the low-fat diet only experienced a decrease in fasting blood insulin levels. The study found the mice on the high-fat diet experienced falls in fasting blood sugar levels, fasting blood insulin levels, and body weight compared to mice that did not drink grapefruit juice. In a 2014 study, researchers gave 25 to 50 percent sweetened grapefruit juice preparations to healthy mice that were on either a high-fat diet or low-fat diet. Researchers do not fully understand why, but compounds in grapefruit may help lower blood sugar levels. If you have a clinical pearl, submit it here.Share on Pinterest Drinking grapefruit juice may be beneficial to people with diabetes.Īlthough grapefruit contains sugar, there is some evidence to suggest that consuming this fruit may be good for people with diabetes. These are letters from practitioners around the country who want to share their clinical problems and successes, observations and pearls with their colleagues. SCHADLER, Director, Florida Department of Citrus, Bartow, Fla.

We encourage you to visit which provides a continually updated listing of drugs that are known to interact with grapefruit and the level of interaction, along with access to cited scientific documentation. Our hope is to help clear up confusion around this issue and set the record straight that grapefruit juice can be safely co-ingested with the great majority of medications. After all, food and drug interactions, when they do occur, can vary by individual and prescription type. Patients should consult with their physician or pharmacist if they have any questions about their prescription medication(s). It is safe to consume grapefruit juice while taking virtually all OTC medications.These medications often can provide the same therapeutic effect with no need to avoid grapefruit juice. For patients who are prescribed a medication that may interact with grapefruit juice and wish to continue consuming this healthy beverage, their physicians often can prescribe noninteracting, alternative medications within the most commonly prescribed drug classes.While some prescription medications may interact with grapefruit juice, most do not.In an article in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Hartmut Derendorf, PhD, and colleagues reported that: While this may sound like a fine point, it affects millions of people taking heart medications. Similarly, the blood pressure medications amlodipine, verapamil, and diltiazem are considered to be safe to consume with grapefruit and its juice. Lastly, the cholesterol-lowering statin drugs pravastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin are considered to be safe to consume with grapefruit and its juice. Further, we are concerned that your suggestion that the potential for an interaction lasts three to seven days after consumption may have misled readers, as scientific research suggests that the potential for an interaction lasts no more than 72 hours after consuming grapefruit.
