AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question I take Benicar and Norvasc. I read about pomegranate interaction with cal-channel blockers, and have experienced very low systolic pressures firsthand. Does pomegranate interfere in a similar way with Benicar (ARB meds)? Could white tea cause a similar interaction with these meds due to high antioxidant content?
Answer Dear Mike
Pomegranate has a similar interaction with some drugs as grapefruit juice but it is not usually very pronounced. I am not aware of any interactions with white tea and would be surprised if there were one. It is not an antioxidant action that we are concerned with and just as well as many, many foods would then cause interactions.
Benicar does not have an interaction with grapefruit juice so would be more or less certain that one would not exist with pomegranate.
If you are experiencing low blood pressure problems with Norvasc speak to your prescriber as the dose may need to be increased or cease eating pomegranates or drinking the juice.
