I am a 71 year old male taking simvastatin to lower cholesterol. Is it true that I can’t eat grapefruit with that?
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
I would indeed not take the simvastatin and a glass of grapefruit juice or a grapefruit at the same time. Grapefruit contains a substance that inhibits the breakdown of simvastatin, which can lead to a higher than intended level of simvastatin. At a very high level of simvastatin, the cholesterol is nicely low. However, it may increase the risk of a rare complication of simvastatin, rapid muscle breakdown.
This is all about very small chances and the warnings are therefore mainly there to protect the manufacturer. If you take the simvastatin in the evening, it is best to eat a grapefruit or drink a glass of grapefruit juice in the morning. And don’t drink liters of it.
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