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Say goodbye to grapefruit juice if you are on statins therapy

Posted on April 23, 2009
Filed Under Statins therapy | Leave a Comment

Grapefruits and statins therapy can be deadly

Statins therapy is not without its risks and in this post I consider statins effects when combined with grapefruit. A single glass of grapefruit juice while taking your statin has been deduced as being enough for the negative statins effects. One piece of grapefruit is all it takes for the deadly statins effects.

How does grapefruit interact with statins?

Grapefruits and grapefruit juice contain a component called bergamottin which inhibits protein enzymes such as cytochrome P450 and P glycoprotein involved in the metabolism and breakdown of many drugs including statins such as simvastatin and atrovastatin. The effect of grapefruit on statins therapy is not as pronounced with a few statins such as fluvastatin. By inhibiting the metabolism and breakdown of the statin drug, the drug is present is a much higher concentration than normal in the bloodstream, with the consequence being liver damage, muscle weakness and kidney damage.

Wheres the evidence?

There are many scientific and pharmaceutical studies which illustrate the fact that consumption of grapefruits increase the plasma concentration and half life of many statins.

If you are on statins therapy and you wish to consume grapefruits, or drink grapefruit juice please consult your clinician first, perhaps you can reduce the dose of your statin. However it is best if you refrain from eating grapefruits, to avoid the harsh statins effects.