If you're over 45, there's a 22 percent chance you're taking a statin medication to lower your cholesterol levels, according to Consumer Reports. Cholesterol-lowering medications are not all the same; they have different mechanisms for lowering cholesterol, as well as different side effects. Eating grapefruit or several other fruits while taking a certain type of cholesterol-lowering medication called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors can cause side effects.
Cause
Statins lower cholesterol levels by blocking the action of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is necessary for the production of cholesterol in the liver. This action reduces the amount of cholesterol produced. Grapefruit and fruits such as pomelos and Seville oranges inhibit your body's ability to break down statins, which results in higher levels of the drugs circulating in your blood. This does not appear to occur equally in all statin medications. According to eMedTV, pravastatin does not interact with grapefruit and atorvastatin is less affected than lovastatin and simvastatin. Always follow your own doctor's advice, however, on whether it's safe to consume grapefruit with the drug you take.
Effects
Medications to treat high cholesterol levels are given in the lowest dose that's both effective and also safe. When the drug isn't broken down well, larger and sometimes dangerous amounts of the medication stay in your bloodstream. This increases the chance of developing serious side effects from the medication. According to eMedTV, Lipitor blood levels increased by 83 percent in people who drank grapefruit juice four times a day and Zocor blood levels can increase up to 12 times normal in people who drink large amounts of grapefruit products.
Risks
Side effects of statins can cause serious and even life-threatening complications, in rare cases. Common side effects include digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or gas. Rashes or flushing can also occur; this occurs most commonly when taking statins along with niacin. More serious side effects include elevated liver enzymes, which can cause permanent liver damage. Stopping the drug if elevated liver enzymes persist usually reverses the damage. Muscle pain, weakness or tiredness can also occur. A serious complication called rhabdomyolosis develops when muscle begins to break down, releasing toxic substances that can lead to kidney failure and, in rare cases, death.
Prevention
To avoid complications, read food labels carefully to make sure they don't contain grapefruit. Some soft drinks, for example, contain grapefruit juice. Marmalade jam contains Seville oranges. Even though the amounts are small, don't take a chance by consuming these products when you're taking statins. Even if you don't take the two products at the same time, reactions can still occur, the Mayo Clinic warns.
References
- Health Central: Grapefruit Safe to Eat When Taking a Statin Drug?
- Mayo Clinic: Grapefruit Juice: Beware of Dangerous Medication Interactions
- Harvard Health Publications: The Status of Statins
- Consumer Reports: Statins: Summary of Recommendations
- Mayo Clinic: Statin Side Effects
- eMedTV: Grapefruit and Pravachol
