Grapefruit juicing and drug interactions
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Comments (15)While there's some evidence that grapefruit might have cancer-fighting properties, a recently published study found that grapefruit actually increased the risk of breast cancer in some women: "Women in the highest intake categoryÂ60 grams or more per day, equal to slightly more than one-quarter grapefruit per day or half a grapefruit every other dayÂhad a relative risk (RR) of breast cancer 30% higher than women who ate no grapefruit (RR = 1.30). The trend of increasing risk with increasing consumption was significant (P = 0.015) after adjusting for weight, exercise, use of postmenopausal hormone therapy, family history of breast cancer, and other factors that could impact risk. The same association was evident for women who had never used postmenopausal hormone therapy (RR = 1.44; P = 0.038) and for those with a body mass index below 25, the cutoff for overweight (RR = 1.32; P = 0.011). Although risk also increased for women who were current or past users of hormone therapy (either estrogen-only or estrogen-progestin combination therapy) and for those with a higher body mass index, the differences were not statistically significant. This finding suggests grapefruit's effect on estrogen is greatest in women whose baseline levels are lower to begin with, Monroe says. The results are consistent with a biological effect of grapefruit on estrogen metabolism. At least 2 previous studies have found higher estrogen levels in women consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice, the authors note, and grapefruit is known to elevate serum concentrations of many drugs, including hormone replacement therapies. The US Food and Drug Administration requires hormone replacement products to carry warning labels stating that grapefruit juice may increase plasma concentrations of estrogen. More study will be needed before this possible link to breast cancer can be confirmed. We do know that grapefruit affects metabolism of a number of drugs, so checking with your doctor before adding a grapefruit seed extract product is a good idea....See MoreCareGiver ?'s
Comments (4)I have some experience with some of your questions, but not all. My mother was already hooked up with direct deposit, so I know nothing about that. When my mother was first diagnosed with alzheimers, the first thing we did, while she was still mostly lucid, was set me up with power of attorney. If you haven't done that yet, you need to do so. Well, I'll qualify that, since I don't know what's wrong with your mother. She may be perfectly capable of making decisions. If you are her primary caregiver, I'd definately look into that, though, because you'll need it to get things done for her, in many cases. As for the hearing aid, we went through a hearing specialist that was hooked up with an ENT doctor. They sold us on Phonics (If I remember it right.) I don't know about the other aids out there, but this one was way too technical for my mother, even without her having alzheimers. It was supposed to block out clutter noise. This aid was small, and fit inside her ear. I don't remember why, but for my mother, the kind that loops over her ear wasn't going to work for her. I wish it did, because those other ones were very easy to loose. As for drug interactions, definately do your own research, including talking to the doctor and the pharmacist. When I asked Mom's pharmacist about the effect of grapefruit on Mom's medication, he was surprised by the question. I had learned through listening to a health related radio show about the effect grapefruit juice has on some medications. I guess no one had ever asked about that, even though that's one of those food items, mainly grapefuit juice, that has a strong impact on some medications. Anyway, the pharmacist looked it up, and luckily found that none of her meds interacted with grapefruit or the juice. I don't know if the pharmacy would have provided info along that line if her meds did react to such things, but judging from pharmacist's reaction, I doubt it. There is a caregivers forum over on That Home Site part of Gardenweb. I didn't find it until after my mom died, unfortunately, but I did get a lot of help from the Alzheimers Association. Whatever is wrong with your mother, there may be support groups and/or associations that will have information to help you out. Good luck, and God bless you. I still miss my mother. I even miss taking care of her....See MoreCholesterol Lowering Drug - when to take it
Comments (3)Some medications are better absorbed with a meal, while others work best on an empty stomach. Not sure about a specific meal but your pharmacist can explain. I know he shouldn't take it with grapefruit juice as too much is released into the system. Not good. Your pharmacist should have given him a consultation when it is a new medication. I know it is a law here in CA. If your DH has any additional questions one of you can make a quick call. Lots of information on the web too. I'd check the manufacture's site. Wing---Mom to a PharmD...See MoreNew year goals & health journal & weight loss foods & tips &recipes
Comments (4)Rhizo: I'm glad that you brought that up. Thanks. I re-post the info. on grapefruit interaction below. Grainlady: I'm so lucky to have your valuable info. THANK YOU. I agree that homemade probiotics (Kefir, sauerkraut) is best. Long-shelf storage at the store DECREASE the number of viable bacteria. Some yogurt have artificial sugar added (aspartame, sucralose, sorbitol) ... these sugar-substitute are known to INCREASE the bad bacteria, and ZAP out the good bacteria. Men's Health has an excellent article on how certain medications mixed with certain food/drink can have a deadly effect & toxic: http://www.menshealth.com/health/ 1. Limes and cough medicine. You may have heard not to drink grapefruit juice with some prescriptions, including cholesterol-lowering statins. But limes, pomelos, and Seville oranges—although not the more-common navel and Valencia varieties—also may block an enzyme that breaks down statins and other drugs, including the cough suppressant dextromethorphan ... this includes hallucinations and sleepiness; in statins, you may sustain severe muscle damage. 2. Dairy products and antibiotics. Some antibiotics, including Cipro, bind to calcium, iron, and other minerals in milk-based foods. “This prevents the absorption of the antibiotics, ultimately decreasing their ability to fight infections,” Gullickson says. When you get a new prescription for acne or an infection, ask if the drug falls into a class known as tetracyclines or flouroquinolones. If so, avoid milk, yogurt, and cheese 2 hours before and after taking the pills. 3. Smoked meats and antidepressants. Check the label on your happy pills. If they belong to a class called monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs—brand names Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, or Parnate—combining them with foods rich in the amino acid tyramine can cause life-threatening spikes in blood pressure, says Gullickson. Unfortunately, the list of no-nos includes not only summer sausage and smoked salmon, but also red wine, sauerkraut, hot dogs, aged cheeses, soy sauce, and draft or home-brewed beer. 4. Chocolate and Ritalin. Besides caffeine, chocolate also contains a stimulant called theobromine, says Tom Wheeler, Pharm.D. (It’s the reason chocolate harms dogs—canine bodies can’t break it down.) Combining all these stimulants in humans can potentially lead to erratic behavior and seizures. 5. Apple juice and allergy meds. Nix the nectar from apples, oranges, and grapefruits if you take Allegra (fexofenadine) for hay fever—at least within 4 hours of swallowing the pill, Gullickson advises. The resulting lack of absorption makes Allegra up to 70 percent less effective; lay off these juices while taking the antibiotics Cipro or Levaquin, the thyroid medication Synthroid, or the allergy and asthma treatment Singulair, Gullickson says. 6. Cinnamon and warfarin. People taking the blood-thinning medication warfarin—prescribed to prevent or treat clots—have long been warned to keep their intake of vitamin K steady, says Wolfe. This means you shouldn’t change your weekly intake of foods like leafy greens or broccoli; because vitamin K plays a key role in clotting, doing so could affect the thickness of your blood. But there’s another risk. Cassia cinnamon, the kind on most American grocery-store shelves, contains high levels of a compound called coumarin that can thin blood and potentially cause liver damage, says Eric Newman, M.D 7. Alcohol and acetaminophen. Resist the urge to wash down your Tylenol with a cold one—your body uses the same enzyme to break down the two substances. http://www.menshealth.com/health/...See More
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