Your doctor can determine if Lipitor may be safe for you. There is no absolute consensus about how much grapefruit a person can safely eat while taking statins, but Dr.Hazentakes a measured approach with his patients. Avoid drinking large amounts of cranberry juice if you are taking atorvastatin (Lipitor). 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The Legal Examiner is not a law firm. Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read on this site. Living with heart failure requires careful management of your symptoms and lifestyle. Gu Q, et al. It belongs to a group of. Select a condition to view a list of medication options. But your doctor may recommend limiting the amount of alcohol you drink while taking Lipitor. Statins can lower your bodys level of CoQ10. For example, a vaginal ring such as etonogestrel ethinyl estradiol (NuvaRing) or a contraceptive injection such as medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) may be better options. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you. Learn more about how taking a supplement can affect statin side effects and your overall heart health. Yes, its likely safe to take ezetimibe (Zetia) with Lipitor. Derptonbauhurp 4 yr. ago The Legal Examinerand ourAffiliate Networkstrive to be the place you look to for news, context, and more, wherever your life intersects with the law. If youve recently had a stroke, your risk of having another stroke may be higher during your Lipitor treatment. Those adverse effects may include: If youre put on any of these statins to improve your heart health, discuss with your prescribing healthcare professional whether grapefruit can be included in your diet. Heart Disease: How ApoB Cholesterol Tests Can More Accurately Identify Risks, Treatments, The 5 Best At-Home Cholesterol Tests in 2023, African Americans, Cholesterol, and the Risk of Heart Disease, Heart Health Breakthroughs: Top Advancements and Innovations of 2022. What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Lipitor treatment. Drinking alcohol whilst taking statins can cause the possible side effects to be exacerbated, turning them from minor to very serious. Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. Statins, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, work to lower cholesterol byas the name suggestsinhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that controls the rate at which cholesterol is made by the body. In some cases, they may recommend taking Zetia and Lipitor together. Patients often ask about grapefruit and statins and whether they can eat the fruit or drink the juice when on statins, he says. What are statins, and can some be combined with grapefruit? Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Before you start taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor if any of the factors above apply to you. There arent any known interactions between Lipitor and alcohol. (In case youre worried about your breakfast juice of choice, several common sweet orange varieties such as navel and valencia do not contain these compounds, so no worries there.) UpToDate: Statin muscle-related adverse events. And in some cases, taking Zetia with statin drugs such as Lipitor is recommended to treat high cholesterol. Some interactions occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The chart below lists drugs that may interact with Lipitor. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). If youve had an allergic reaction to Lipitor or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely wont prescribe Lipitor. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Certain molecules occurring naturally in grapefruit juice may increase the level of statins in a person's blood, which can amplify their effects. Don't break LIPITOR tablets before taking. Prescription cholesterol-lowering medication use in adults aged 40 and over: United States 2003-2012. (2021). Cranberry might decrease how quickly the body breaks down atorvastatin. Still looking for answers? Side effects from grapefruit-statin interaction are typically mild, such as increase in muscle and joint pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required that some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs generally taken by mouth include warnings against drinking grapefruit juice or eating. Common questions about Lipitor and interactions, Side Effects of Lipitor: What You Need to Know, Dosage for Lipitor: What You Need to Know, sites.psu.edu/cannabinoid/files/2020/06/Cannabinoid-as-PRECIPITANT-Medication-Affecting-the-Metabolism-of-ANOTHER-OBJECT-Medication_04_25.pdf, labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=587#S7.3, sites.psu.edu/cannabinoid/files/2020/06/NTI-Meds-to-be-Closely-Monitored-when-Co-Administered-with-Cannabinoids_2020_04_25.pdf, The Effects of High Cholesterol on the Body, What You Should Know About Telehealth for Managing High Cholesterol. But your doctor may recommend limiting the amount of alcohol you drink while taking Lipitor. Triazolam. Cranberry might decrease how quickly the body breaks down atorvastatin (Lipitor). Consult your physician, don't do it on your own. If you do choose to drink, use caution and drink moderately. If there's a higher concentration of these drugs in your body, they're able to block more cholesterol from being made. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. ): Dr. Brian Staiger is a licensed pharmacist in New York State and the founder of the Q+A website PharmacistAnswers.com. FDA changes safety information on statin drugs. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Before you start taking Lipitor, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Grapefruit causes a reaction with the system in your body which breaks down Lipito Who should not take lipitor (atorvastatin)? Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can block your bodys ability to break down Lipitor. Is it okay to drink lemon water while taking simvastatin? Do other drugs that treat my condition also have similar interactions? Some studies have found that the amount of grapefruit that interferes with critical liver enzymes is small: about one whole grapefruit or a 200 mL (slightly under seven ounces) glass of grapefruit juice is enough (Bailey, 2013). Caffeine is present in certain food and drinks, such as coffee, chocolate, and tea. Grapefruit is simply the most widely studied of these fruits (Bailey, 2013). Both statins were found to be effective against LDL cholesterol. Although past research has generally required participants to drink almost a liter of grapefruit juice a day to test how it affects liver enzymes that break down drugs, the amount it takes to affect that process appears to be far lower. Patients are advised not to drink coffee with atorvastatin as some studies show that it can diminish the protective levels of the statin. The most common side effect of statin use is muscle pain and inflammation. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. Of all cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins are the most widely used. Drink water (no soda, etc). How much grapefruit is okay when taking statins like Lipitor? 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Atorvastatin. Serum concentrations and clinical effects of atorvastatin in patients taking grapefruit juice daily. Grapefruit Juice and Statins. All rights reserved. Red yeast rice and Lipitor work in similar ways to lower cholesterol levels. Its likely safe for you to have caffeine along with Lipitor. However, if you're on certain medications, such as certain heart medications called statins, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking these medications. But we've known for several years that this citrus fruit and its juice can interact adversely with many prescription drugs, including some of the statins that are . Because both heavy drinking and (rarely) statin use can interfere with liver function, the two together could put people at a greater risk of liver-related health problems. Grapefruit contains a . This kind of moderate consumption actually slightly lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and modestly raises HDL (good) cholesterol. If you take St. Johns wort, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking it during your Lipitor treatment. Avoid. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Yes, its likely safe to take Lipitor and sildenafil (Viagra) together. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Lipitor for you. The phase IV clinical study analyzes what interactions people who take Ginger and Lipitor have. QTY 90 20 MG Tablet Near 77381. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Promptly consult your doctor or pharmacist. (2020). But heres the thing: grapefruit isnt the only fruit that contains furanocoumarins. Privacy Policy|Advertising Policy|Privacy Preferences Center|Do Not Sell My Personal Information. You should avoid large quantities of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which can increase the risk of serious side effects. The main issue with Lipitor and alcohol consumption arises if you tend to drink heavily every week. In some cases, side effects may be serious, such as myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver problems. Cardiologists know cholesterol is a key factor in reducing risk of heart attack. Other statins such as rosuvastatin, pravastatin, or pitavastatin do not interact with grapefruit. To learn more, please visit our. vicster_6 5 yr. ago. Currently a product of the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Squirt Soda is a citrus soft drink which came into existence in 1938 by a college student named Herb Bishop. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. LEGAL INNOVATION | Tu Agente Digitalizador; LEGAL3 | Gestin Definitiva de Despachos; LEGAL GOV | Gestin Avanzada Sector Pblico Is there a safe amount of grapefruit to consume if I'm taking atorvastatin? Past research has warned that eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice and taking statins for high cholesterol may increase your risk for complications such as rhabdomyolysis, the breakdown of muscle tissue that may lead to kidney damage, joint pain, and muscle pain. ATORVASTATIN/Lipitor (a TORE va sta tin) treats high cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. (2014, December 16). This warning has led to a lot of questions from people taking this type of medication. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Prescription drugs all come with side effects, or the risk of side effects. Statin-associated muscle symptoms: Impact on statin therapy - European Atherosclerosis Society consensus panel statement on assessment, aetiology, and management. Your doctor may recommend monitoring you more closely for symptoms of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver problems during your treatment. Overall, there are no specific health risks associated with drinking while using statins. Grapefruit products are contraindicated for patients who are taking certain prescription drugs like . Higher levels of statin in the blood may result in muscle weakness. If youre breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your treatment options. Learn. This can cause a buildup of Lipitor in your body, which raises your risk of side effects. Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Lipitor. If that is the case, I would talk to your doctor about when is a safe time to eat it. Avoid drinking large amounts of cranberry juice if you are taking atorvastatin (Lipitor). And for more information about Lipitor, including details about its uses, see this article. Allergic reaction. Calcium can interfere with the effectiveness of thyroid medication. What Effect Does My Thyroid Have on My Cholesterol? Learn more about the link. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Dyslipidemia vs. Hyperlipidemia: Medical Terms for High Cholesterol and What They Mean, High Cholesterol: 7 Things Doctors Want You to Know. It is generally recommended to avoid mixing alcohol with blood thinners since it increases the risk of bleeding. 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