Q: Why does my medication say that I can’t take it with orange juice?
A: There are some drugs on the market that come with a warning that states the patient should not take the medication if they also consume orange or other citrus juices (grapefruit, lemon, etc) because of the possibility of potentially dangerous interactions. These warning can be found on a variety of medications that are used for different purposes, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and mental health medications.
Typically, when a medication is taken by mouth, proteins in the body called enzymes break down the medication in the digestive tract so it can be absorbed by the body. Citrus juices, regardless of when they are taken, can interfere with how the enzymes work, and can lead on increased levels of the medication in the body. Higher drug levels can lead to increased side effects, some of which can be very serious.
Therefore, as with all medication, it’s very important to read all of the information that comes with your medications, and speak to your physician or pharmacist about your questions and report any side effects that you may experience.
