Food-drug interactions are not uncommon. There are hundreds of food products – including broccoli, coffee, and dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese – that have the potential to interact with certain drugs. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice were added to the list in the late 1980s.

Unfortunately, due to inaccurate and/or incomplete reporting on the topic, healthcare professionals and consumers are exposed to a considerable amount of misinformation regarding the nature and scope of potential drug interactions with grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

While research on the topic of drug interactions with grapefruit and grapefruit juice is ongoing, leading experts on grapefruit-drug interactions agree on the following facts:

• While some prescription medications may interact with grapefruit juice, most do not.
• For patients who are prescribed a medication that may interact with grapefruit juice and wish to continue consuming this healthy beverage, non-interacting, alternative medications are available within many of the most commonly prescribed drug classes. These medications should provide the same therapeutic effect with no need to avoid grapefruit juice.
• It is safe to consume grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking virtually all over-the-counter medications. Patients should consult with their pharmacist or doctor if they have any questions about their prescription medication(s).
• For more information on specific drugs and potential interaction with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, click here.