Lipitor and Grapefruit

We all know that drug interactions may sometimes cause minor to major complications. Such interactions can be with some other medicines taken side by side or with some foods. Lipitor is one of those drugs that can cause some complications, if the user consumes grapefruit or grapefruit products. This article deals with the various aspects of Lipitor and grapefruit interaction.

What is Lipitor?

Lipitor is one of those drugs that are categorized in the group of statins. Statins are those medications that inhibit the enzyme that controls the production of cholesterol in the body. So, statins are mainly used to prevent cardiovascular diseases by lowering the cholesterol levels. It is said that statins are also effective in facilitating the reabsorption of cholesterol, that can reduce the rate of plaque formation in the cardiovascular system. Apart from Lipitor, the most commonly used statins include zocor, crestor, pravachol, etc. In short, Lipitor is used for lowering high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. It is used in people, who have heart diseases and also to reduce the risk of such diseases. In general, statins are found to be prescribed for people with a total cholesterol level of 240 and above and an LDL cholesterol level of more than 130. The following paragraph deals with the effects of Lipitor and grapefruit on your body.

Grapefruit and Lipitor

Now you know about statin drugs and Lipitor. It has been noted that some of the statin drugs interact with grapefruit and cause some complications. While, statins, like, crestor, pravachol, etc., do not have any interactions with grapefruit, Lipitor is one of the exemptions. Other statins, like, advicor, simcor, altoprev, caduet, etc., may also interact with grapefruit and grapefruit products, like, juice, supplements, extract, etc. Read more on statins and grapefruit.

In normal cases, the metabolism and excretion of statin drugs happen in the body, within a certain time span after their ingestion. In case of consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit products, the metabolism of statin drugs in the body is affected. Grapefruit contains a compound called naringenin, which deactivates some enzymes in the small intestine that are necessary for the metabolism of statin drugs. In other words, naringenin inhibits the metabolism of the statin drug called Lipitor. This increases the level of statins in the body, thereby, causing complications. Now, you know how Lipitor and grapefruit interact and cause health problems.

High levels of statin in the body can lead to liver damage, as the levels of liver enzymes increase. Another complication associated with Lipitor and grapefruit is muscle problems, like pain and tenderness (statin myopathy). It may lead to break down of muscle cells and this condition is called rhabdomyolysis, which in turn can result in kidney damage too. Some of these complications can be severe and life-threatening. Read more on statins and muscle pain.

Other Lipitor Side Effects

We all know that certain drugs cause side effects in some people. The common side effects of this drug are headache, diarrhea, sinusitis, infections, etc. Some of the Lipitor users may experience skin rash, back pain, sore throat, flu, constipation, stomach pain, etc. However, a very few users may have severe Lipitor side effects, like, symptoms of liver problems (yellow urine, pain in the upper right abdomen, etc.), muscle pain, along with weakness and fever, severe allergic reactions (hives, rash, breathing trouble, etc.) and signs of kidney problems. In such cases, immediate medical attention have to be provided.

Now, you have a basic idea about Lipitor and grapefruit interaction and possible complications. It is said that all statin drugs do not interact with grapefruit. So, if you are a Lipitor user, you may either stop the consumption of grapefruit and its products or else, switch over to another statin drug, as per your doctor's instructions. Your doctor will be the best person to advice you on this subject. So, don't stop the medicine or change it without consulting your doctor.