This can lead to a higher concentration of the drug in the body and potentially result in increased side effects.īut even if you aren’t on a statin, you might want to beware of grapefruit-drug interactions. Compounds from the fruit (called furanocoumarins) can actually prevent an enzyme in your liver and intestines from breaking down the medicine. Grapefruit juiceĪre you on a prescription statin, like Lipitor or Zocor ? Then you might want to lay off the grapefruit juice. It’s always best to reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance on food and medication interactions. But other times, you may need to avoid a specific food altogether. If you find out that a medication you are taking has a food interaction, it may be enough to avoid eating the food for one to two hours before and after taking the medication. Food and drug interactions can make prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects.
