Grapefruit Juice and Drug Interaction

I must be feeling a bit better, because I'm bored to death. I've spent most of the last two days resting, napping and reading. I was up most of the night, sleeping only in half hour increments. About 4 am, I settled down and slept until 10am.

Hubby got me some chicken soup for lunch from Tim Horton's and I only ate a little of it and put the rest away for later. I just didn't have an appetite. I'm tired of reading but don't have the energy to do anything else. I talked to Mom and Michelle on the phone. Brandon and Michelle are coming down with this stuff too.

Being bored, I decided to get on the computer and do a bit of research. The other day when I was talking to Michelle, (she's a pharmacy technician) she told me that if I take Lipitor I was not to drink grapefruit juice as there is evidence that it causes a interaction that overloads the liver. It seems to be true. Be sure to read this article by the Mayo Clinic that lists some drugs that can cause interaction with grapefruit juice.

If you follow THIS LINK you will find where Health Canada has issued an advisory. Apparently it's been known since 1989 that grapefruit juice can cause drug interactions. This kind of thing makes me crazy. Why doesn't doctors and pharmacists advise people of the potential hazards?

Here are other links:

Grapefruit juice and medication a potent mix

Grapefruit juice and medication can be a dangerous mix

Fruit juice may affect medications

Canadian man dies after drinking grapefruit juice in Florida

Be sure if you are taking diuretics, blood pressure medication or meds such as lipitor or crestor (these are meds to lower cholesterol) that you do not drink grapefruit juice. If you are in doubt about the interaction between your meds and grapefruit juice, contact your doctor or pharmacist or avoid grapefruit entirely.

I'm off to lie down again. Writing this alleviated the boredom for a bit, but now I need a rest. Take care and have a relaxing evening. ~Blessings, Mary~