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Tegretol and grapefruit?

Thu, 05/18/2006 - 12:24
Hi, I have been taking Tegretol for 22 years, and as I was renewing my prescription for Tegretol online, noticed that my bottle says on the side "do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication". I hadn't ever heard this before, so did some research online, and found some interesting information about the problems with grapefruit. I always eat grapefruit and haven't experienced problems, but was wondering if anyone else has. Or has someone asked their doctor about it?

Comments

I love grapefruit, but was

Submitted by txrhb1 on Thu, 2006-05-18 - 13:07
I love grapefruit, but was also told by my doctor not to drink the juice or eat it when taking Tegretol. Doctor said it can increase the amount of Tegretol in the system. here's what I found out online: Grapefruit has serious interactions with many commonly prescribed medications. Grapefruit juice inhibits a special enzyme in the intestines that is responsible for the natural breakdown and absorption of many medications. When the action of this enzyme is blocked, the blood levels of these medications increase, which can lead to toxic side effects from the medications. Grapefruit juice research has suggested that flavonoids and/or furanocoumarin compounds are the substances that act to block the enzyme in the intestines that normally metabolizes many drugs. The grapefruit juice-drug interaction can lead to unpredictable and hazardous levels of certain important drugs. ((( hugs ))), Barbie *************************************** "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo

Re: Tegretol and grapefruit?

Submitted by angel_lts on Thu, 2006-05-18 - 14:20
Oh I love grapefruits and the juice. I used to drink it all the time, and even with medication. That is before I knew about the effects. I was taking tegretal and phenobarbital and I drank it alot. Maybe that is why I had more seizures back then too. And you shouldnt take it with any medication. check this out http://bipolar.about.com/od/medications/f/faq_grapefruitj.htm Take care Lisa http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/

Re: Re: Tegretol and grapefruit?

Submitted by seizuregirl on Fri, 2006-05-19 - 03:21
I had a grape fruit just the other day and I wound up with a seizure that yesterday. I'm taking the generic form of Tegretol, but still it makes me wonder. Also, I'm on my monthly cycle so that could also be the culprit to why I experienced a seizure yesterday and another one today. Seizuregirl "Life is what you make of it"

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