Epilepsy – Life and Work

August 22, 2008

Are grapefruits dangerous?

Filed under: Medication — Tags: , , , — tonytoo @ 11:16 am
Photo courtesy of qousqous

Photo courtesy of qousqous

Recent news items, following research from the University of Western Ontario, warn of taking medication with grapefruit juice as this could substantially impair the absorption and therefore the effectiveness of the drug.  Other fruit juices may have a similar effect.

This echoes an earlier warning in 2002 from the New South Wales Department of Health that grapefruits and grapefruit drinks could interact with Carbamazepine (Tegretol) used to treat Epilepsy. To repeat the advice in their factsheet:

“People should carefully read the Consumer Medicine Information sheet that accompanies most prescription-only products obtainable from the pharmacist. Anyone with concerns should consult their pharmacist or doctor.”

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