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Grapefruit Extract and Medications: A Pharmacist Checklist
Grapefruit extract and medications can mix badly, but the evidence we hold is about grapefruit juice and fruit. FDA says grapefruit juice can block the enzyme CYP3A4, so some drugs build up. It does not say how much extract it takes. Payarmin prints grapefruit fruit 11th in its blend, at no more than 18 mg per 1 mL.
Written by the Payarmin label deskUpdated · 4 min read
What FDA says01
How does grapefruit affect medicines?
Grapefruit juice can block CYP3A4, an enzyme in the gut, so more of certain drugs reaches the blood and side effects become more likely (FDA, Grapefruit and drugs).
For other drugs, grapefruit can cut absorption, so the drug works less well (FDA, Grapefruit and drugs). Seville oranges, pomelos and tangelos may act the same way.
| Class |
|---|
| Statins |
| Some high blood pressure drugs |
| Some organ-transplant rejection drugs |
| Some anti-anxiety drugs |
| Some corticosteroids |
| Some drugs for abnormal heart rhythm |
| Some antihistamines |
What is unknown02
Does grapefruit extract act like the juice?
We do not know. The FDA page covers juice and fruit. It does not discuss grapefruit extract in supplements or how much extract it takes to matter (FDA, Grapefruit and drugs).
It also does not say how long the effect lasts. So no one can promise that a small amount is safe, or that it is risky.
The cautious reading is simple: if grapefruit juice is on your medicine's warning list, tell your pharmacist about any grapefruit-derived ingredient too.
On the Payarmin label03
How much grapefruit is in Payarmin?
The label prints "grapefruit fruit" as the 11th of 22 blend lines, so it holds at most 18 mg per 1 mL (200 divided by 11).
Single amounts are hidden, as the law allows (eCFR, 21 CFR 101.36). That ceiling is label order, not a lab result, and the label does not say whether the ingredient is an extract or a powder.
The product has no interaction study. The label tells anyone with a known medical condition to consult a physician first. Keep taking prescribed medicine while you ask. Read the ingredients page for the full blend.
Payarmin: from $49 a bottle30 mL drops · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day guarantee
See packsAt the counter04
What should you ask your pharmacist?
Bring the label
Show the full Supplement Facts panel, not just the product name.
Name the ingredient
Say "grapefruit fruit, in a blend" and ask if your medicines carry a grapefruit warning.
Ask about timing
The FDA page does not say how long the effect lasts, so ask what your pharmacist advises.
The medicines guide has more questions to bring.
FAQ05
Grapefruit and medicine questions
Is grapefruit extract as risky as grapefruit juice?
Unknown. The FDA page we cite covers grapefruit juice and fruit, not extracts, and says nothing about how much extract matters. Ask a pharmacist if your medicine has a grapefruit warning.
Which medicines have grapefruit warnings?
FDA names statins, some blood pressure, transplant, anti-anxiety and heart rhythm drugs, some corticosteroids and some antihistamines. Not every drug in these classes is affected, so check yours.
Do other citrus fruits cause the same problem?
FDA says Seville oranges, pomelos and tangelos may have the same effect as grapefruit. Regular sweet oranges are not named on the page we cite.
How long does a grapefruit interaction last?
The FDA page we cite does not say. Because of that, we do not suggest a safe gap between a dose and grapefruit. Your pharmacist can advise on your specific medicine.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Gopayarmin, a Payarmin U.S. shop, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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