Doctors Are Begging You To Avoid Grapefruit if You Take These Common Medications

Doctors Are Begging You To Avoid Grapefruit if You Take These Common Medications originally appeared on Parade.

Grapefruit is generally great for you—it’s rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, potassium, thiamine, folate and magnesium, plus even a smidgen each of some B vitamins, copper, iron and zinc. It’s also low in calories considering how many benefits it has, clocking in at about 50 calories for half of a medium-sized grapefruit.

That said, it’s not good for everyone.

Doctors warn that there are actually some medications that have potentially dangerous interactions with grapefruit. Find out what those meds are, plus the specific risks and what to do if you slip up and have grapefruit (or grapefruit juice) while you’re on them.

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Eating Grapefruit Can Be Dangerous if You’re on These Medications

There are quite a few common medications that have negative interactions with this delish citrus fruit.

“A large number of medications interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice,” Dr. Jared L. Ross, DO, a board-certified emergency physician and assistant professor at the University of Missouri, tells Parade. “Furanocoumarins are a substance that occurs in certain plants and fruits, including Seville oranges, pomelos, limes and even fresh parsley.”

However, he says, the highest concentrations are in grapefruit, specifically grapefruit juice. “Furanocoumarins inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), an important enzyme found in the liver and small intestine. Many medications are either metabolically activated (from an inactive form) or inactivated by CYP3A4. This can make the medication ineffective or, more seriously, can prevent the body from breaking it down, leading to toxic effects.”

Related: 23 Grapefruit Recipes to Celebrate National Grapefruit Month

Put simply, according to Dr. Angela Downey, MD, family physician and host of The Codependent Doctor podcast, “When that enzyme is blocked, the drug builds up in your system. Instead of getting a regular dose, your body is getting a higher dose than intended.”

Doctors we spoke with pointed to the following drugs as having negative interactions with grapefruit:

• Statins, which are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels (simvastatin, lovastatin and atorvastatin)

• Calcium channel blockers for blood pressure management (like felodipine and nifedipine)

• Cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant

• Amiodarone, a medication to treat heart arrhythmias

• Some benzodiazepine medications used to treat anxiety and insomnia

Related: The Simple Food Swap Cardiologists Are Begging You To Make ASAP

According to Dr. Downey and Dr. Ross, eating grapefruit while on statins may pose the most serious side effects, including muscle breakdown, very low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms.

OK, but what if you really like grapefruit? Don’t worry, you may have options!

“The American Heart Association recommends against drinking grapefruit juice if you are taking a statin medication,” Dr. Ross tells us. “However, it may still be okay to have half a grapefruit a few days a week in the morning if you’re taking a statin medication in the evening.

“If you frequently consume grapefruit, consider asking your doctor about alternative medications,” Dr. Ross adds. “If you are on a statin medication for high cholesterol, atorvastatin may have less of an interaction with furanocoumarins than other similar medications. For most other conditions, there are other medications that you can consider with your doctor.”

Related: Cardiologists Say Adding This to Your Lunch May Lower Blood Pressure

Dr. Downey notes that in terms of statins, “Pravastatin and rosuvastatin are safer options for cholesterol management if grapefruit is non-negotiable.”

If you accidentally consume grapefruit or drink a small amount of grapefruit juice while on statins or other medications it interacts with, don’t panic, but also don’t ignore what your body may be telling you.

“If you accidentally eat grapefruit or drink a small amount of grapefruit juice, it is unlikely to have any significant effects on you. However, monitor to make sure you are not experiencing muscle pain, being overly sedated or having a low heart rate and low blood pressure,” Dr. Ross advises. “If you experience symptoms, seek medical attention.”

Dr. Downey concurs, explaining, “If someone accidentally eats grapefruit while on one of these meds they should call their pharmacist or doctor, especially if they are feeling unwell. The effect of grapefruit can last for over 24 hours, so it’s not just about ‘waiting it out.’ We may need to adjust timing or dosage depending on the situation.”

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Sources:

Doctors Are Begging You To Avoid Grapefruit if You Take These Common Medications first appeared on Parade on Jul 13, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.