News Medical: Xylitol and grapefruit seed extract nasal spray could help COVID-19 patients Yes. Grapefruit can get in the way of several kinds of prescription medicines. So can other citrus fruits, such as pomelos, tangelos and Seville oranges, which often are used in marmalade.

Understanding the Context

Mixing grapefruit with some medicines can cause serious health problems. If you take prescription medicines, ask a health care professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist, whether it's OK to eat grapefruit ... Grapefruit juice has a chemical that can interfere with the enzymes that break down the statins in your digestive system. While you won't need to cut grapefruit entirely from your diet, ask your healthcare team about how much grapefruit you can have.

Key Insights

Some medicines that may interact with statins and raise your risk of side effects include: Do not eat grapefruit or grapefruit products while taking the calcium channel blockers diltiazem and verapamil. Grapefruit juice interacts with these medicines and can affect heart rate and blood pressure. This can cause symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. Talk with your healthcare team if you have any questions about the medicines you take. Grapefruits and grapefruit juice may increase the effects of nifedipine by increasing the amount of this medicine in your body.

Final Thoughts

You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you taking this medicine. Place the tablet immediately on the top of your tongue. It should melt quickly and be swallowed with saliva. If you are using the oral liquid, measure the dose with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you regularly drink grapefruit juice.

Drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1 quart each day) while taking this medicine may increase your risk of muscle injury and could result in kidney problems. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol with simvastatin. This could cause unwanted effects on the liver. Tell your doctor if you regularly drink grapefruit juice.