Which lipid-lowering medications may interact with grapefruit juice?

Statins are a class of lipid-lowering medications that are known to interact with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice contains compounds that can inhibit the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme in the liver and intestines, which plays a critical role in the metabolism of many drugs, including certain statins, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin. When grapefruit juice is consumed, it can lead to increased blood levels of these statins, heightening the risk of side effects such as muscle pain or damage, and potentially leading to serious conditions like rhabdomyolysis.

Understanding this interaction is crucial for patients taking statins; clinicians typically advise avoiding grapefruit juice to maintain therapeutic efficacy and minimize adverse effects. In contrast, other lipid-lowering agents, such as fibrates, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids, do not have the same notable interaction with grapefruit juice, making statins distinctly more susceptible to this dietary influence.