Why Can't I Consume Grapefruit While Taking Simvastatin?

Posted on Wed, 16 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 9 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Why can't I consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Simvastatin?My sister suggests I check out Thunder God Vine for myrheumatoid arthritis. I am hesitant, as I don't want to take immunosuppressive substances & I am severly allergic to sulfanomides.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Grapefruit juice removes the medicines faster Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. You should not consume grapefruit juice if you are taking any medicines because grapefruit juice has peculiar ways of making the liver hyperactive and thus eliminate the medicine faster from your system. Consuming grapefruit or it's juice will diminish the efficacy of the drug, that is the reason you are told not to consume it. Thunder God Vine can be used in moderate amounts if you are not taking any other medicine already, it appears to be safe but there is not much clinical data about it's usage. I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask me if you have any further queries. Wishing you good health. Warm regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (2 hours later)

I already take Simvastatin for high cholesterol, and Metoprolol, Lisinopril & Amlodipine for hypertension, as well as low-dose aspirin as a blood thinner. So maybe I should forget about the Thunder God Vine. I think I should also ask my doctor to change my cholesterol medicine, as I love grapefruit/grapefruit juice/grapefruit soda & it makes my arthritis feel better.