Grapefruit, a citrus fruit that many people enjoy either whole or as part of juice, has gotten some negative press about its effects on medication. Many people are aware of potentially negative interactions between some drugs and grapefruit or its juice. In some situations, grapefruit does affect how the body absorbs certain types of medicines, including blood pressure medications, actually boosting how much the body takes in.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a juicy citrus fruit with a sharp taste that is available either whole or as juice. Grapefruit contains fiber, which may work to regulate the digestive process, and vitamin C, which is a type of antioxidant. A grapefruit’s nutrients are good to support your health, but in the case of some type of medications, they may actually work against your body.
Interactions
Grapefruit and its juice do not necessarily work against blood pressure medications themselves. Normally, when you take medication for your blood pressure, it is absorbed through the intestinal tract to enter the bloodstream and begin working. According to the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, grapefruit juice contains a component called furanocoumarin. This element affects certain enzymes in the gastrointestinal track, negatively interacting with some types of medication, including those for high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Medicine
One type of medication that may interact with grapefruit and that is used to control blood pressure is known as a calcium channel blocker. These drugs work by preventing calcium from entering the muscle cells that control the size of blood vessels. The blood vessels may then be dilated, which allows more blood to flow through them. When blood vessels are less constricted, blood pressure may remain at a normal level. Grapefruit does not affect all types of calcium channel blockers, so talk with your doctor about which brands cause an interaction.
Dangers
When you eat grapefruit, and it affects the enzymes in your digestive tract, the body may be unable to control how much of your blood pressure medication you are actually absorbing. As a result, the level of the medication in your bloodstream may become too high, potentially having the opposite effect and leading to symptoms of low blood pressure, such as light-headedness or fainting. If you take calcium channel blockers, you may need to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking its juice to protect your blood pressure from dropping too low.
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