A tall glass of grapefruit juice may sound like a healthy and refreshing beverage and in some ways it is. Grapefruits are high in vitamin C and a good source of the important minerals calcium and potassium. But there’s a darker side of drinking grapefruit juice that some people aren’t aware of. This common fruit juice can significantly alter blood levels of some medications. These grapefruit side effects are significant enough that a number of deaths have resulted which is enough to make many researchers and medical professionals take notice.

Grapefruit Side Effects: Why Does It Alter Medication Levels?

Grapefruit juice and the grapefruit itself affects medication
levels by inhibiting the action of a group of liver enzymes known as the cytochrome P450 system, enzymes that are responsible for metabolizing many drugs and medications. When these enzymes don’t work properly, blood levels of certain drugs and medications can build up in the blood stream leading to serious side effects. The ingredient in grapefruit that inhibits the action of the P450 enzymes are the furanocomarins, a group of plant chemicals that protect plants from insects and predators. The list of drug levels that can be altered by these furanocomarins is extensive, including some blood pressure medications, cholesterol lowering agents, antibiotics, and caffeine, among others. The side effects of drinking grapefruit juice when taking these medications varies depending upon the particular drug, but can be life threatening in some cases.

Grapefruit Side Effects: How Can You Avoid Them?

Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to avoid these grapefruit side effects by taking medications and drinking grapefruit juice many hours apart. The effects of drinking grapefruit juice on medication levels can persist for more than twenty-four hours. The only safe solution is to stop drinking grapefruit juice and eating grapefruit if you’re taking medications that interact with it. The best way to find out your medications are affected by grapefruit juice is to ask your doctor.

Can You Safely Substitute Orange Juice for Grapefruit Juice?

Can you substitute orange juice for grapefruit juice safely? In most cases, drinking orange juice doesn’t carry the same risk of medication interactions that grapefruit juice does, although one study did show that orange juice altered absorption of a particular medication used to treat HIV. As far as current studies show, orange juice doesn’t carry the dangers of drinking grapefruit juice. When you’re placed on a new medication always ask about the potential for interaction with foods such as grapefruit. It just might save your life.