Why avoid grapefruit when taking statins?

Hello, Anon!

Thank you for writing today.

Statins are medicines that lower your cholesterol. When mixing grapefruit and statins, there is a chance of increased side effects. However, not all statins interact in the same way with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. The interaction is particularly strong with two types of statins: simvastatin (Zocor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor). Side effects from grapefruit-statin interaction can be mild, such as muscle and joint pain. Severe side effects include muscle fiber breakdown and kidney problems. If you’re taking a different type of statin, ask your doctor about the risk of interaction.

Best,
Susan