10 May 2022
Fruit juice is essential for enriching health. For the sake of fitness and an active lifestyle, people have changed their eating habits. Grapefruit juice is full of antioxidants, vitamins and Nutrients. It also helps to treat conditions and diseases. So can we compare it with medication?
Medications have become fundamental to health. The heart pumps blood to the whole system at a pace. When it gets disturbed, a hypertension problem arises.
Losartan is one of the choices made for treating hypertension. If the grapefruit/ grapefruit juice and losartan medication are good for heart health, why are we prohibited from using them together? Ever thought like this?
The reason is simple “Interactions,” but how?
When we consume food and medicine, it is broken down with the help of essential enzymes that lead to metabolism or absorption in the blood.
Losartan consumed with grapefruit juice can yield unknown consequences, and medicine can lose its effectiveness or stay for a more extended period.
How Does Grapefruit Juice Affect The Losartan Metabolism Process?
Grapefruit juice is highly interactive with Losartan. The potassium and calcium channel blockers inhibit the metabolism enzymes (CYP3A4) and result in a slow and fast absorption rate. It further increases the amount of Losartan in the blood for a more extended period. Grapefruit affects the activity of Losartan i.e. controlling blood pressure.
Lastly, there is too much drug in your body, which can push you through side effects. (Bailey, D.D.G. and Dresser, G.K., 2004.)
What Are Calcium Channel Blockers?
Calcium Channel Blockers are medications that help relax the muscles of blood arteries. This component is used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
Grapefruit interacts with calcium channel blockers and increases the medicine level in the blood.
Study of Losartan And Grapefruit
A random cross-trial was conducted on nine volunteers. 5 were given only Losartan and others with Grapefruit and Losartan which were kept under observation.
Results displayed that people with grapefruit juice showed lag in absorption time and later significantly increased compared to only losartan volunteers. The study suggests that Losartan is yet interactive with Grapefruit, but it can also increase its metabolism at a quiet level. (Zaidenstein R, Soback S, Gips M, Avni B, Dishi V, Weissgarten Y, Golik A, Scapa E. Ther Drug Monit. 2001 Aug;23)
What Effects Can You Experience From Losartan And Grapefruit?
Side effects of Losartan if interacted with Grapefruit.
- Back Pain/knee pain
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Loss of control over blood pressure due to less or more absorption in the blood
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Difficulty in breathing and swallowing
Is there Any Other Medication / Condition That Interacts With Grapefruit?
Medicine that treats
- Infection
- Motion sickness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Control Seizures
- Blood Pressure
- Anxiety pills
These conditions medicines can interact with Grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
How To Prevent Interaction Between Losartan And Grapefruit?
The simple way to avoid Interaction is to follow the prescription and stop consuming Grapefruit or related products. Ask your health expert about the interactions and side effects for a better and broader view of medicine.
Also, don’t try anything unknown to you. It can cost your health. If you have already consumed Grapefruit, immediately call emergency services or your physician.
Besides Losartan And Grapefruit, Foods that Interact And Raise Blood pressure levels.
Hypertension is a rising concern. Several daily life elements can trigger and raise blood pressure levels. Some of the factors include:
- Processed meat: Processed meat contains sodium and high fats that increase heart-related conditions.
- Sugary drinks: Aerated drinks contain sugar at the highest concentrations. One bottle can increase the intake of sucrose and glucose at the most significant point.
- Banana: Banana is good for health, but potassium can interact with your blood pressure medicines.
- Baked food: Baked contains high trans fats, gluten, etc. Ultimately disturbing your heart health.
Conclusion
Interactions are the basic part of every compound element out there. Without Interaction, we can say there would not be invention or destruction. Losartan and Grapefruit are highly reactive to each other.
They can make a vice versa as it can sometimes increase the effectiveness and decrease it. Small changes bring great advantages in life, so several changes have to be made to maintain a good balance between the heart and its health.
You can also purchase Losartan online from a certified online pharmacy, but getting a doctor's prescription first is recommended as it is not available over the counter.
