I take a cholesterol lowering -statin drug known to interact with GJ. Can I have a glass of grapefruit juice in the morning, and then take my medication in the evening ?
This concerns the -statin drugs lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor). Pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) do not appear to be affected by GJ. A study that was done by Merck (makers of Mevacor (lovastatin) gave the lovastatin dose in the evening after a single glass of GJ taken earlier that morning, and showed that the interaction was minimal, and that this practice could be done safely.53 The above was only studied with lovastatin, but it is rational to assume that similar things would occur with the other -statins. However, this has not been directly studied. The main risk with increases in blood levels of these -statin cholesterol lowering drugs is a condition called rhabdomyolysis: literally breakdown of red muscle. It can cause severe muscle pain, and kidney failure. It is rare, but not unseen with -statin drugs, especially when interacting drugs (certain antibiotics, certain heart medications) cause great increas
