PurpleSocks asked
Does grapefruit interact with omeprazole? I take 20mg a day.
Answer
There is no interaction between grapefruit or grapefruit juice and omeprazole. They are considered safe to take together.
Grapefruit Medication Interactions
It is always a good idea to look into whether or not grapefruit and grapefruit juice is safe to consume with your prescription medication as there are several potentially significant drug interactions that you may need to be aware of.
Grapefruit interacts with prescription medication via several mechanisms, but, perhaps most notably, by inhibiting CYP3A metabolizing enzymes in the small bowel wall. CYP3A is responsible for the metabolism of countless medications and most often, inhibition of this enzyme will lead to increased concentrations of drugs, increasing the risk of side effects.
In addition to CYP inhibition, grapefruit may also inhibit organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs), proteins which facilitate drug transfer into cells. This can lower the therapeutic effects of certain drugs.
Studies show that both the whole fruit and grapefruit juice can cause interactions, and all it takes is a little as one whole grapefruit or 6 to 7 ounces of juice. In addition, enzyme inhibition from grapefruit can last 24 hours, so separating grapefruit from medication by a few hours generally isn't sufficient.
While grapefruit does not interact with omeprazole, it may potentially interact with several other medication, including:
- Amitriptyline
- Diazepam
- Triazolam
- Budesonide
- Caffeine
- Carvedilol
- Clozapine
- Atorvastatin
- Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Dextromethorphan
- Digoxin
- Estrogen
- Levothyroxine
- Oxycodone
Be sure to look into any potential interactions before consuming grapefruit with your prescription medication.
