While you may enjoy a daily glass of grapefruit juice with breakfast or a snack, it can have adverse effects if you take certain medications. This is true for high blood pressure medications you take to reduce fluid retention and salts in your blood. Because mixing grapefruit juice and medications can have deadly consequences, in some instances, it's important to discuss the risk of harmful drug interactions with your physician.
Medications
Medicines for high cholesterol, abnormal heartbeat and high blood pressure are most likely to cause adverse reactions when taken with grapefruit juice. While you should always speak with your physician before taking medications and mixing grapefruit juice, high blood pressure medications like felodipine, nifedipine and nisoldipine are known to result in troublesome side effects. Citrus fruit juices, such as orange juice, also may cause adverse side effects.
Toxicity
Grapefruit juice causes side effects when taking certain medications because it increases your body's metabolism for breaking down pills. The juice has enzyme-blocking effects that cause the medication to stay in your body longer. This means more of the medication enters your bloodstream, which can heighten the effects of the medication and increase the likelihood you will experience side effects. Always read medication labels carefully before taking high blood pressure medications.
Time Frame
Grapefruit juice can stay in the system for up to 3 days after drinking it. If you take grapefruit or grapefruit juice in the morning, you can't take blood pressure medication in the evening without running the risk of adverse medication reactions. If you have consumed grapefruit juice, you may need to call your physician to see if an alternate medication can be prescribed. Examples of blood pressure medications that can be taken with grapefruit juice include amlodipine, ditiazem and verapamil.
Symptoms
Many high blood pressure medications aim to make the blood more concentrated, reducing how hard your heart has to work. Because grapefruit juice can make the medication more potent, your blood may become very concentrated. If you have consumed grapefruit juice and taken blood pressure medication, watch for symptoms like flushing, swelling in your hands and feet, headaches and a rapid heartbeat. In severe cases, blood pressure medications can result in a heart attack.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Grapefruit Juice: Beware of Dangerous Medication Interactions; November 2010
- Science Daily; Grapefruit Juice and Medication Can Be a Dangerous Mix; January 2005
- "American Family Physician"; Management of Grapefruit-Drug Interactions; Amy Stump, PharmD, Terri Mayo, PharmD, Alan Blum, MD; August 2006
