Calcium channel blockers, statins and grapefruit
In general, calcium channel blockers are recommended for lowering blood pressure, as well as for treating other conditions, such as chest pain and irregular heartbeat. As the name suggests, these substances lower your blood pressure by preventing calcium from penetrating the cells of your heart and arteries. Therefore, calcium causes the heart and arteries to contract more, so you need these medications to allow your blood vessels to relax.
In addition, statins are lipid-lowering medications that reduce your risk of developing heart disease and other complications related to cardiovascular disease. They are also known as cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Nevertheless, when you take these substances, you have to avoid eating grapefruit. According to Aaron Emmel, PharmD, founder of PharmacyTechScholar.com in St. Augustine, Florida, “grapefruit contains a compound that inhibits a common drug-metabolizing enzyme called CYP3A4. Drinking a lot of the juice or eating the fruit inhibits this enzyme, and the drug accumulates in your system, which can be dangerous.”
Don’t forget that this rule only applies to grapefruit, so you can eat other citrus fruits, such as oranges. However, it doesn’t mean that grapefruit isn’t healthy – it is, but it should be avoided by people who take these types of meds.
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