grapefruit juice can have serious effects on your medications

'Be aware: Grapefruit juice could have serious effects on your medications'

Grapefruit is high in vitamin C , B5, potassium, fiber and contains iron, calcium and bioflavonoids that protect agains cancer and heart diseases. It stimulates your appetite, has positive effects on your digestion and reduces cold symptoms. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is a great way to start your day and to enjoy its benefits.

However there are certain people that have difficulty with drinking fresh grapefruit juice due to the interaction with medicines. We have dug up some facts about the effects of this fruit and would like to share the following information with you.

Medications and their interactions with grapefruit juice
Grapefruit contains special substances that block the action of an enzyme in the intestines that have the main task to naturally breakdown or consume your medicines. The enzyme can't perform its task properly because it is blocked so what happens is that the blood levels of your medications become higher and this can lead to poisonous side effects. The interaction between grapefruit juice and medications can lead to dangerous effects on the human body.

Flomax interraction with grapefruit juice

Flomax is a drug that belongs to the alpha-adrenergic blockers. Flomax is used to treat the s ymptoms of an enlarged prostate also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Flomax expands and relaxes your veins and arteries in order to let your blood pass easy through them. What you get is that the muscles in your prostate and bladder neck will relax and make you urinate in an easy way. Flomax may have potentially interaction with grapefruit juice but it hasn't been scientifically studied so please don't consume it with grapefruit juice unless your doctor gives you the green light.

Grapefruit juice and Levitra/Vivanza
Vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor and is used in the treatment of erectile dysfuncion. It will help men this problem to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual activity. It is marketed as Levitra and Vivanza. Grapefruit juice may interact with Levitra/Vivanza. Please discuss the use of grapefuit juice with your doctor.

Altace interaction with grapefruit juice
Altace is a drug that is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It works by preventing the conversion of a chemical called angiotensin I into a more potents substance that increases salt and water rentention in the body. It also helps with the blood in the circulatory system. It is advised not to use grapefruit juice with Altace.

Norvasc and grapefruit juice
NORVASC is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), or blocked arteries of the heart (coronary artery disease). It is a calcium channel blocker. Norvasc makes the blood vessels wider and slows the heart to reduce blood pressure and pain of angina. Norvasc should not be take nwith grapefruit juice because it will give you a fast heart rate and/or a drop in your blood pressure.

Grapefruit juice and Lipitor/Atorvastatin
Atorvastin is a drug that blocks the production of cholesterol in your body. Atorvastatin also helps to increase your level of HDL, good cholesterol, in your blood. These are important tasks because it will reduce the risk of hardening of your arteries. This hardening can lead to stroke, heart attacks and peripheral vascular disease. The use of atorvastatin and large amounts of grapefruit juice should be avoided.

Zocor and grapefruit juice
Zocor is a drug that lowers your high cholesterol and your triglyceride level. This medicine is used for people that have coronary heart disease and who have a history of stroke, diabetes or any other blood vessel diseases. It increases the blood flow to the heart and reduces the risk of angina. Grapefruit juice should be avoided, this can lead to dangerous effects. Consult your doctor when you take grapefruit products regularly.

For more information about grapefruit and other fruits see our 'I'll show you how to stop feeling tired' article.