Image via Wikipedia Drinking fruit juice is in the headlines again, but this time for a negative reason. There have been previous concerns about drinking fruit juice. However in these concerns all centre around drinking fruit juice and taking prescription drugs simultaneously.
On one hand we have the benefits that drinking fruit juice, for example apple juice may help prevent asthma, and on the other it would appear that drinking fruit juice and taking prescription drugs may in some situations lead to an overdose.
Recently research was presented at a conference in the USA where the research suggested that grapefruit juice may interfere with the proper absorption of anti-allergy drugs. It has been suggested that apple juice, and orange juice, may also have a similar effect.
It is already known in medical circles that grapefruit juice can interfere with blood pressure drugs and in fact many pharmacists already advise people about drinking grapefruit juice when prescribing certain drugs.
However this may be the tip of the iceberg according to the American Chemical Society conference which took place recently in Philadelphia.
It is believed by researchers that the active ingredient in fruit juice called naringin interferes with the absorption of drug molecules from the small intestine into the bloodstream. In the case of the drug fexofenadine (an antihistamine drug) drinking grapefruit juice actually reduces the drug’s effectiveness by about 50 per cent.
Unfortunately some drugs are made more potent when taken alongside grapefruit juice. Colette McCready, from the National Pharmacy Association, said: “The effect of grapefruit juice on some medicines is well established and where this applies it is clearly detailed in Patient Information Leaflets.
What is clear is that significant research in this area is needed to further investigate the interaction of fruit juice and prescription drugs.
The message is clear. While it is beneficial to drinking fruit juice, if you’re taking medication, in particular prescription drugs, if you have not already received advice then if you are in doubt seek advice from your general practitioner.
Tags: drugs and fruit juice, grapefruit, blood pressure drugs, allergy drugs, prescription drugs, antihistamine
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