Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DE3EziwuRqe/ Grapefruit interacts with various enzymes and transporters in the body.  When it does, it tends to make some prescription medications either less or more effective.  An excellent article on health.com lists all of the prescription drugs that grapefruit effects.  Let’s run through them so you’re in the know. • Statins: Used to lower cholesterol; grapefruit can elevate their levels and increases a risk of muscle damage. • Calcium Channel Blockers: high blood pressure medications; grapefruit may enhance their effects and may crash your blood pressure. • Estrogen-containing Medications: Most common are birth control pills; grapefruit raises estrogen levels with a greater risk of side effects. • Immunosuppressants: Taken to prevent transplanted organ rejection; grapefruit increases drug levels with a risk of kidney toxicity. • Benzodiazepines: Anti-anxiety drugs; grapefruit boosts their sedative effects producing excess drowsiness.