Most short-acting statins have a half-life of 6 hours. Grapefruit juice affects how drugs are changed (metabolized) in the body for eventual elimination and can … Conversely, a person with less risk of heart disease may start on a lower dosage or a short-acting statin.Recent evidence suggests that many people can benefit from taking statins, even if they do not have high blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, it is important to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking statins unless a doctor says it is safe.People who have a higher risk of heart disease can work with a doctor or nutritionist to modify their diet. © This article is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from spacedoc.comStatements on this site are those of the credited author of the article or message and the expressed opinions are not necessarily those of the site owners, operators, developers, or hosts.Articles and messages on this site are for information and education purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any illness, disease, or other medical condition. Interactions with grapefruit can occur with common and important medications - such as those that lower cholesterol, treat high blood pressure, or even those that fight cancer. While statins can be beneficial in lowering cholesterol and decreasing your risk for heart disease, you can see that there are many precautions to be considered. All rights reserved. According to a report in the For each drug type, not all are compromised by grapefruit, so it is important to check which medications are affected. This doesn’t mean only avoiding taking a statin with grapefruit juice. A person may do this by losing a significant amount of weight, Statins come in a range of types and dosages. All rights reserved. This is what happens with certain seasonal allergy medications, such as Allegra (fexofenadine). This can lead to unpleasant and, in extreme cases, even fatal consequences.For their intended cholesterol lowering effect, all statins work in the same way — by HMG-CoA reductase inhibition — the metabolic pathway that, among other things, is responsible for the body’s production of cholesterol. If a warning like this exists on your current medications, it is an … Pitavastatin (Pravachol) is a type of cholesterol lowering medication known as a "statin." That’s why it’s recommended to avoid grapefruits and their juice while taking certain medicines. Grapefruit, along with some other fruits and fruit juices, can also affect the absorption of specific drugs, thereby lowering the received dose and reducing or completely blocking their effectiveness.One example of a common drug that is not absorbed properly when grapefruit is consumed is the antihistamine It is important to remember that this negative grapefruit interaction affects only those individuals taking specific medications (always read the information sheet before starting a new prescription drug. According to the Some reports have warned that statins can cause severe memory loss, but In rare cases, a person taking statins may have serious side effects, such as liver damage or an allergic reaction. In this way, they can further lower their risk of heart disease.Smoking is a significant risk factor for heart disease. The best time to take statins depends on the specific drug.Statins are a type of prescription medication that can lower a person’s risk of There are several different types of statin on the market, which the body may process differently. They should also tell a doctor if they notice any side effects.© 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. The Statins do not cause serious side effects for most people. CBD and grapefruit. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. The actual interference with the CYP3A4 enzyme comes from organic compounds in the fruit called furanocoumarins.Examples of other fruits that contain furanocoumarins are limes and Seville oranges (commonly used for marmalade) — although grapefruit has the highest concentration. It is also used for asthma, high cholesterol, cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses. Some statins work best in the evening while others work just as well in the morning. Therefore, it is important to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking statins unless a doctor says it is safe. Take fexofenadine with water and avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit, orange, or apple juice. People should not stop taking statins without a doctor’s approval.Some people might be able to stop taking statins or reduce their dosage if they significantly lower their risk of heart disease. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. As this effect of grapefruit on the metabolizing enzyme can last 24 hours, anyone taking a once (or more) a day medication that relies on this enzyme for normal breakdown of the drug should avoid grapefruit entirely.Statins that are not affected by CYP3A4 inhibition include pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and pitavastatin (Livalo).