Combining drugs with grapefruit can be fatal

Grapefruit, when combined with certain medications, poses a deadly threat to the health of patients. Canadian experts warn about this. The scientists' study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

According to doctors, grapefruit contains furanocoumarin chemicals, which, when interacting with certain medications, increase the strength of their effect on the body several times. This can cause acute kidney failure, breathing problems, internal bleeding and even sudden death.

At risk are older people, whose bodies are less able to withstand an overdose of drugs enhanced by citrus fruits. As doctors note, furanocoumarins remain in the body for many hours after taking grapefruit.

Doctors advise excluding citrus fruits from the diet during the course of treatment. In addition, they state that it is necessary to include a label on the labels of medications that interact with grapefruit, since many doctors and patients are not aware of the dangers of combining citrus fruits and drugs.

The danger of interaction of a number of drugs with citrus fruits (side effects occur) has already been reported. The number of such drugs has increased over the past four years, now reaching 85, including statins, antibiotics, antidepressants, drugs for cancer and heart disease, and drugs used by patients after organ transplant surgery.