Certain fruits, veggies, snacks and drinks can be problematic when combined with some common medications
It’s routine to ask your doctor or pharmacist if a new prescription drug could interact with other medications you’re taking. But have you inquired about potentially problematic foods? It turns out, a handful of commonly consumed fruits, veggies, snacks and drinks can affect the way medicines are absorbed or metabolized in the body.
Certain vegetable oils also contain large amounts of K. These vegetables can reduce the effectiveness of the commonly prescribed medication, thus inhibiting its ability to stop or prevent blood clotting, explains Dima Qato, an associate professor at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy and a senior fellow at USC’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics.
Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice can inhibit an enzyme that’s necessary for statins to be metabolized, Qato cautions. As a result, “the drug stays in the blood and accumulates, increasing the risk of side effects such as muscle pain.”
Of the statins, atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin (common brand names Lipitor, Altoprev/Mevacor and Zocor) are the most problematic as far as grapefruit juice goes. To be on the safer side, patients are often advised to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice entirely while taking statins, Qato says.