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Does Morning Grapefruit Interact With Evening Medication?

Posting Date: 12/04/2000

Q: I have been taking Zocor for several years to lower my cholesterol. My other medications are Dyazide and Procardia for blood pressure.

A friend recently told me to take Zocor at bedtime with grapefruit juice to get better results. I've heard about taking it in the evening, but the label on the bottle says don't take it with grapefruit juice.

I like to have grapefruit at breakfast, as we have a tree in the yard. Our fresh grapefruit is second to none. What is the deal with Zocor and grapefruit juice? Would my cholesterol really go lower, or is it dangerous?

A: Grapefruit interacts with a number of medications, including cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor, Mevacor and Zocor. It raises blood levels of these medicines, so it might increase the effect of the medicine. But you would be getting a higher dose than your doctor prescribed. This might lead to serious side effects such as muscle pain or weakness.

Grapefruit can also have an impact on Procardia. With higher blood levels, you might experience side effects including dizziness, headache or flushing.

Our Guides to Blood Pressure, Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs and Grapefruit Interactions contain more detailed information and can prepare you to discuss this issue with your doctor.

The grapefruit effect lasts up to three days, so drinking grapefruit juice in the morning could still impact your evening cholesterol medicine.