Millions of Brits have been warned to stay away from one particular fruit, as studies suggest it could pose a risk to the health of those who take certain medication.
According to the latest stats from the NHS Business Services Authority, there are 8.7 million people in the UK currently taking antidepressants, and research reveals this number has been on the rise in recent years.
Antidepressants help manage clinical depression, and can also be effective for various other conditions such as OCD, generalised anxiety disorder, and PTSD. These drugs are also occasionally prescribed to individuals dealing with chronic pain, reports Bristol Live.
The NHS says: “It’s not known exactly how antidepressants work. It’s thought they work by increasing levels of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and noradrenaline, are linked to mood and emotion.”
Antidepressants are commonly paired with therapy, especially for more serious cases of depression or other mental health issues. This is because they don’t cure the condition, but rather alleviate its symptoms.
Antidepressants can have side effects which can be an issue at first, but they usually improve over time. Any side effects typically improve within a few weeks, but some may persist.
Common side effects of antidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can include feeling agitated or anxious, loss of appetite and insomnia.
And side effects of Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) can include dizziness, weight gain, heart rhythm problems and excessive sweating.
While these side effects can improve over time, they can be exasperated by eating one type of fruit that can interfere with the function of the medication. Grapefruit has the potential to raise the levels of certain antidepressants in your system, which may result in harmful side effects.
It’s best to steer clear of grapefruit and grapefruit juice if you’re on antidepressants, unless your doctor advises you otherwise. The fruit blocks an enzyme called CYP3A4 which metabolises medications and is found in your small intestine and liver. This can interfere with how well your antidepressants are working.
The fruit also prevents the proper function of your metabolism, allowing the medication to enter your bloodstream faster. The result of this process can mean there are elevated medication levels in your blood, which can pose health risks.
Antidepressants that interact with grapefruit
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Trazodone (Desyrel)
- Amitriptyline, and Clomipramine
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Midazolam (Versed)
- Triazolam (Halcion)
- Buspirone (Buspar)
- Quetiapine
- Lurasidone
Research has shown that eating grapefruit while taking sertraline may result in elevated levels of sertraline in the bloodstream, which can lead to dizziness or drowsiness. These symptoms can occur rapidly and may persist for several days.
A statement on the NHS website reads: “Do not drink grapefruit juice while you’re taking this medicine. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of sertraline in your body and increase the risk of side effects.”
Although grapefruit offers some health benefits, if you’re on medication, its cons could outweigh its pros. When taking a new medication, always ask your doctor if there are any foods you should avoid.
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