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Are DILTIAZEM, LEVOTHYROXINE with GRAPEFRUIT safe after certain time?

Resolved Question:

What can you tell me about grapefruit and these meds I take. Diltiazem hci xc and levothyroxine. Is there a certain time after I take my pills is it safe or not at all. Thank you

Category: Family Physician-GP

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Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 23 Doctors Online

Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
Well as of grapefruit it can be taken at breakfast.
For the other 2 medicines, ideally Levothyroxine should be taken empty stomach in the morning. That balances the thyroid levels for the rest of the day. What is the dose that has been recommended for you?
Regarding Diltiazem Hcl XC again it depends on the dose that has been prescribed and the blood pressure levels recently?
Both the medicines are safe provided there are proper indications, and the recommended dosage has not been exceeded.
Regards.


Patient replied :

But is it safe to eat grapefruit or grapefruit juice with these medications, I read it was dangerous to eat or drink grapefruit with certain meds.


Hello
Yes you're right.Grpaefruit works by inhibiting CYP3A4 enzyme isoform in the blood, thereby limiting absorption of certain drugs such as Diazepam, Xanax, Alprazolam, Zoloft, Sertraline, e.t.c
It also retards the absorption of Levothyroxine, however that's why I advised you to take it empty stomach in the morning, because by the time you have breakfast and grapefruit juice, it would already be absorbed.
However I will advise you to avoid graefruit if possible because it is unique in the way of its mechanism of action of inhibiting an enzyme that helps in absorption of a lot of drugs in our body.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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