Atorvastatin warning as NHS doctor says eating one food can cause side effects

Atorvastatin warning as NHS doctor says eating one food can cause side effects The health expert says the warning largely affects people taking atorvastatin and simvastatin A UK emergency doctor has warned patients taking certain statins about risks associated with eating one particular type of food and drinking one particular type of drink. He said that consuming either or both while on the common cholesterol-lowering medications could trigger dangerous side effects. Dr Alex Wibberley, an emergency medicine doctor with 10 years of frontline NHS experience, shared the advice to his 548k subscribers in a recent video on his YouTube channel. The title of the video reads: "Taking Statins? 7 Things Your Doctor Might Not Have Mentioned." In the video, Dr Wibberley highlights that eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice can interfere with how your body processes specific statin medications. He said that this most notably affects simvastatin and atorvastatin. He said: "Did you know that a grapefruit can change how much of your statin actually ends up in your bloodstream? Now, this is not an old wives' tale, as it may sound. There is real chemistry behind it." Why can grapefruit cause issues? He says the issue comes down to basic chemistry in the digestive system. Under normal conditions, a specific enzyme, called CYP3A4, in your gut wall breaks down a portion of these medications before they pass into your system. This process ensures that the amount of medication entering your bloodstream stays within the intended safe range. However, natural compounds in grapefruit block this key enzyme from functioning properly. Because less of the drug gets broken down, far more of it is absorbed into your body than planned. Dr Wibberley said: "Your gut wall contains an enzyme whose job it is to break down part of certain drugs before they are absorbed into your system, keeping the amount that reaches your blood inside the intended range. Grapefruit, however, and grapefruit juice block that enzyme. "So if you eat grapefruit regularly while taking one of the statins that rely on it, particularly simvastatin or atorvastatin, less of the drug gets broken down. More of it is absorbed than it was meant to be, and then the level in your blood can climb higher than planned, and that really does raise your risk of side effects like these muscle problems because there is more in your blood than intended. It's like taking, you know, extra doses when you're not supposed to." When blood levels of the medication rise above intended levels, it has an effect similar to taking extra doses. Dr Wibberley cautions that this significantly raises the risk of experiencing unpleasant side effects, particularly muscle pain, aches, and weakness. Does grapefruit interact with all statins? Dr Wibberley says this interaction does not apply to all statins and that having an occasional piece of grapefruit is unlikely to cause significant problems. However, if you consume grapefruit or its juice regularly, Dr Wibberley strongly recommends speaking with a health professional. He explained: "When the true level of the drug in your blood is pushed well above what your doctor intended, real muscle problems really do become more likely. It doesn't apply to every type of statin, and the odd bit of grapefruit here and there, you know, isn't going to be a disaster. But if you're having grapefruit or drinking the juice most days, it is really worth 30 seconds with your pharmacist who can tell you instantly whether it matters for your particular tablet." - Atorvastatin (Lipitor) — moderate interaction; small amounts are sometimes permitted by doctors. - Simvastatin (Zocor) — strong interaction; avoid completely. - Lovastatin (Altoprev) — strong interaction; avoid completely. What does the NHS say about atorvastatin and grapefruit? The NHS says you can eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice in moderation while taking atorvastatin, but you should avoid consuming large quantities. According to the NHS Atorvastatin Guide, an occasional glass or small amounts of grapefruit juice are generally considered safe. But, you should not drink more than one or two small glasses (or avoid large amounts exceeding 1.2 litres) per day. If you have any questions or concerns, speak to a GP or pharmacist. Never stop taking your medication without speaking to a healthcare professional. Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for non-urgent medical advice when your GP or pharmacy is closed.