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What could possibly be dangerous about drinking grapefruit juice?

It depends what medications you're on. The body relies on particular enzymes to metabolize medicine and decrease its potency to safe levels. Researchers have found that grapefruit juice, of all things, messes with this process. Drinking grapefruit juice while taking oral medication cripples the drug-diluting enzymes. So more of the drug enters the bloodstream, which is like taking a greater-than-suggested dose.

Grapefruit juice is known to affect cholesterol drugs like Lipitor, Mevacor, and Zocor. The otherwise innocuous pink juice also affects the metabolism of drugs used to treat depression, including Prozac. Overly large doses of these and other drugs can cause serious problems, including a sometimes fatal muscle disorder.

Some scientists have claimed that the effect of grapefruit juice on drug metabolism is negligible. Many others, however, see the grapefruit juice effect as a serious issue. Even if you love the stuff, they say, it's best to play it safe and not mix grapefruit juice and medication.

This Sound Medicine mystery is brought to you by Anthem, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association.

Additional Resources:

• Read more on this potential interaction.

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