AllExperts > Experts 
Search      

Pharmacy

Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Pharmacy Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Pharmacy
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Eric Brandt
Expertise
I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.

Experience
I have experience in retail as well as hospital pharmacy pracice. Currently working in a hospital pharmacy. I am experienced in drug information. Over the last 6 years I have developed a successful web site for drug information.

The addressfor my drug information website is http://www.druginformation.bc.caThere you can read articles on varios areas of health interest. You can also leave me questions which I will personally answer. I also have a free health information newsletter called The Caplet. To subscribe send e-mail to thecaplet-subscribe@topica.com
 
   

You are here:  Experts > Health/Fitness > Pharmacology > Pharmacy > Atorvastatin (Lipitor)/Grapefruit interaction

Topic: Pharmacy



Expert: Eric Brandt
Date: 5/5/2007
Subject: Atorvastatin (Lipitor)/Grapefruit interaction

Question
The question asked by "Cliff" begged clarification of 'avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice when taking Lipitor'.

Never, same time, same day, etc. Is the grapefruit substance in question systemic or only interact during digestion and uptake of the statin?

Do the grapefruit hybrids such as tangelos carry similar risks?

If grapefruit increase uptake, why are we not lowering the dose of statins to a level where the grapefruit boost is safe and/or beneficial? This could make partial sustitution additionally beneficial beccause of the benefits of eating citrus fruits?  

Answer
Hi John,
The issue with grapefruit and statins is that he grapefruit juice contains a substance which inhibits the metabolism of the statin, effectively simulating a higher dose. Since the consumption of grapefruit is not as consistant as taking the medication you can not lower the dose one day and not the next. Your blood levels are not consistant. Also the extent to which metabolism would be inhibited would depend on the amount of this substance in the fruit or the juice and that amount is not consistant.
It is best to avoid grapefruit at any time while taking the statin.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm


Add to this Answer    Ask a Question



  Rate this Answer
   Was this answer helpful?
Not at allDefinitely              
   12345  

     
About Us | Advertise on This Site | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. About and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. The About logo is a trademark of About, Inc. All rights reserved.