Can I eat grapefruit while taking heparin?
Disease description:
I'm taking heparin due to medical reasons. Today I gave in to my cravings and ate some grapefruit. I just remembered afterward that I probably shouldn't have eaten it. Now I'm feeling a bit anxious—can I actually eat grapefruit while taking heparin?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Generally, it is not recommended to consume pomelo while receiving heparin injections.
Pomelo contains a compound called furanocoumarin, which can inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme system in the liver. CYP3A4 is an important drug-metabolizing enzyme in the human body and is responsible for the metabolism of various medications, including certain anticoagulant drugs. When pomelo is consumed alongside these medications, the inhibition of CYP3A4 can lead to increased drug concentrations in the body, potentially enhancing drug side effects or toxicity.
Therefore, it is advised to avoid consuming large amounts of pomelo or foods containing naringin while receiving heparin therapy. If you particularly want to eat pomelo, it is recommended to consult a physician or pharmacist for advice and strictly control the amount consumed. Additionally, maintaining a balanced and diverse diet is important to ensure the body receives adequate nutrition and energy.
During heparin therapy, patients should regularly monitor coagulation function indicators and avoid consuming large quantities of pomelo or pomelo-derived products to minimize the risk of drug interactions and ensure the safety and effectiveness of anticoagulant treatment.
