What is the chemical in Grapefruit keeps AED's from working?

[forward2007]

Does anyone know the actual chemical in Grapefruit that keeps anti-epileptic drug's (or at least Tegretol) from working? If I remember this right grapefruit speeds up the metabolism of the Tegretol so you end up having less of the medication in your system than you think you do. I can't remember if Grapefruit affects other anti-epileptic drug's or not. The reason I am asking is some of the vitamin C products on the market have Bioflavonoids that come from Grapefruit. But Oranges, Lemons, Limes, and Tangerines also have Bioflavonoids and the Dr's/Pharmacists never say don't eat Oranges, Lemons, Limes, or Tangerines with Tegretol.

[alivenwell]

Does anyone know the actual chemical in Grapefruit that keeps AED's (or at least Tegretol) from working? If I remember this right grapefruit speeds up the metabolism of the Tegretol so you end up having less of the medication in your system than you think you do. I can't remember if Grapefruit affects other AED's or not. The reason I am asking is some of the vitamin C products on the market have Bioflavonoids that come from Grapefruit. But Oranges, Lemons, Limes, and Tangerines also have Bioflavonoids and the Dr's/Pharmacists never say don't eat Oranges, Lemons, Limes, or Tangerines with Tegretol.

Check out....

Vitamins and seizures


I think it mentions grapefruit.

[forward2007]

Nevermind, I was wrong. Here's some info-

http://bipolar.about.com/od/medicati...rapefruitj.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/foo...rition/AN00413

[forward2007]

Just a heads up-one of those articles says EVEN THE BIOFLAVONOIDS WILL INTERACT WITH MEDICATIONS.

[BuckeyeFan]

I have seen dilantin listed as inter-acting with grapefruit.

[brain]

Grapefruit can't be eaten, drunk (straight up)
or mixed with other juices with a lot of medications,
not just with anti-epileptic drugs!

It's not just the enzymes, but also the acidity
content is also high - and worse, those who are
on blood thinners, who have had surgeries, who
are in danger of bleeding - must shun Grapefruit
as if it were the most toxic fruit on earth!

Grapefruit is both a blessing and a curse!

[RobinN]

Gads I wish I was on medication... I HATE grapefruit!

(just joking folks... about the medication, not the grapefruit.... YUCK)

[TexasTravel]

Grapefruit has never really bothered me until Sunday.

I took a nap after eating a lunch with some grapefruit in it. I had strange seizure by my standards. Most of my seizures are during sleep. It wakes me up, I panic thinking it is 10 years ago and that I should be at work. But, after 15 minutes or so, I recover for the most part and know where I am and when it is. The only thing remaining is a feeling of drained energy like after crying hard, if you know what I mean.

Sunday's seizure also occured in my sleep. I did come around with 1 hour or so, enough to know where I am and when it is but there is still a strange feeling left.

To this minute, I still feel like I am walking on another planet. Like I am here but not really. I cannot sleep and have not slept more than 1.5 hours in the past 36 or so.

I rarely have seizures like this so it is very strange to me.

All as the result of eating 1/2 of a grapefruit.

[spinnymommy]

I have always loved grapefruit, but didn't eat it very often because the rest of my family doesn't like it. It was no big deal to go without it.

Until I was told I can't have it anymore! Now I crave it. Oh well. As long as I can still eat chocolate.

[Bernard]

Another good reference for you forward2007:

The characteristics of medications that interact with grapefruit are well defined. The most significant of these characteristics is metabolism by the intestinal cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP 3A4) system. CYP 3A4 is found in the liver and intestinal tract. Intestinal CYP 3A4 concentration can be decreased by 47 percent within four hours of grapefruit consumption.4 One study5 has shown that the interaction persists for up to 72 hours; therefore, it would be prudent to avoid grapefruit products for 72 hours before taking a medication with which they may interact.

Another study6 reported that consuming 8 oz of grapefruit juice can inhibit intestinal CYP 3A4 concentration for 24 to 72 hours. Therefore, separating the times of medication administration and grapefruit consumption is not a plausible solution.5,6 It is important to note that because of genetic polymorphism, persons have varying amounts of intestinal CYP 3A4; consequently, the extent of an interaction is not predictable from patient to patient.7,8

The substance or substances in grapefruit that inhibit intestinal CYP 3A4 have not been identified. In addition, grapefruit may decrease the intestinal transport of drugs into the circulation.7 Because intestinal CYP 3A4 is affected, the interaction will only occur with oral formulations. Studies of the intravenous form of drugs that are substrates of hepatic CYP 3A4 and have the potential to interact with grapefruit failed to demonstrate any effect on plasma concentration.

Management of Grapefruit-Drug Interactions

[montse]

I love grapefruit, my father in law cultivates it (they make wine) and I can say I have eaten a lot of it, I never had noticed a relation.

[alivenwell]

I love grapefruit, my father in law cultivates it (they make wine) and I can say I have eaten a lot of it, I never had noticed a relation.

I also love and eat grapefruit. I never noticed adverse side effects from it. I do eat a lot of oranges because they're less pungent in flavor.

Does this possibly have to do with sugar content of grapefruit? Some people eat grapefuit with sugar sprinkled on the top. I like it straight. Or, does it matter if the grapefruit is pink?

This makes me wonder if the fruit is sprayed or treated with a pesticide. I always wash fruit or buy organic stuff.

Guess I'll look at healthy dark chocolate. There have to be other acidic foods like this that have the same effect.

My personal favorite is an orange anytime.

[brain]

I also love and eat grapefruit.

Does this possibly have to do with sugar content of grapefruit? Some people eat grapefuit with sugar sprinkled on the top. I like it straight. Or, does it matter if the grapefruit is pink?

Pink Seedless is a HYBRID.

I do use sugar, however, I also had tried to dilute
it with water, but it effected the anti-epileptic drugs.
However, I do not use a lot of sugar, about less
than 1/4th cup per 1 gallon if it's all 100% pure
(straight up) pink seedless grapefruit juice, but if
it's been diluted, I use far less.

Was informed that I could have 4 oz of it, but that
was like teasing me with it. I'm a rabid grapefruit
lover, and my mom has a pink seedless tree in her
yard, so it was a very difficult thing here.

So we've canned it altogether this year to see if
it makes any difference and so far it doesn't
appear to have made any differences, which I
will be going over with this with my Doctors later
on because we really miss our Grapefruit Juice!