Grapefruit And Statins

[RocW]

I have been taking statins for the past 8/9 years. I have been having half a grapefruit and a glass of orange juice for breakfast for many more years. Last night I read a novel in which one of the characters said, in so many words, that one must not take statins and grapefruit. Why not? Are all citrus fruits forbidden? Must I give up orange juice AND grapefruit? What about a slice of lemon in a G&T? I haven't noticed any contra indications but I am not sure what they are. Any ideas?

[murraymints]

I only know it says specifically don't eat grapefruit !

[Old_Geezer]

I have heard grapefruit can stop some medicines working properly. Could have been statins. I know someone brought it to my attention because I'm on BP tablets.

[sunny-dave]

From the NHS website :

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice if you are taking simvastatin. Grapefruit juice reduces the breakdown by the liver of simvastatin, which raises the level of simvastatin in the blood and makes you more likely to get side effects.

Atorvastatin interacts with grapefruit juice if you drink large quantities, but an occasional glass is thought to be safe.

It is safe to drink grapefruit juice if you are taking any of the other statins.

It's only grapefruit - other citrus is OK.

dave

[Sqad]

The true answer is.........nobody knows the answer to your question, but I will give your the scientific answer.

A person taking statins would be better off not taking grapefruit juice, but other citrus fruits are fine.

My answer?..........a small glass of grapefruit juice at breakfast would have no deleterious effects to someone taking statins.

[heathfield]

In those 8/9 years, have you never thought to read the leaflet that comes with your statins? Mine state clearly "Grapefruit juice can increase the concentration of simvastin in blood. Avoid consumption of grapefruit juice during therapy with Simvastin Tablets".

[boxtops]

It says it very clearly on the literature that comes with my statin, that grapefruit interferes with the working of the drug. Other citrus fruits are fine, it's only grapefruit.