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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Heart patient medication
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Heart patient medication
by George, Sep 27, 1999 12:00AM
Following heart by-pass surgery at the Cleveland Clinic over two years ago, I have been taking the following medication in the late evening: Norvasc 2.5mg; Lipitor 20mg; aspirin 81mg; One a Day multivitamin for over 50; vitamin E 400iu; Metamucil, one teaspoon. When in season, I have been eating grapefruit in the morning. My info sheet for the "statin" drugs shows that Lipitor (atorvastatin) is not included in the grapefruit warning list, but Norvasc is. This combination has provided the desired results for cholestrol and blood pressure. Do you see any problem with this combination, including eating grapefruit 8-10 hrs. after taking the medication? I am 67 and spend winter in Florida--thus the concern about grapefruit. Thank you in advance for your opinion.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Sep 27, 1999 12:00AM
, Sep 27, 1999 12:00AM
Grapefruit acts on the cytochrome P450 system of the liver which is also the same system that clears a number of drugs from the body. Some drugs can build to dangerous levels when people take large quantities of grapefruit. Norvasc may be affected but in the quantities you are eating and the time seperation there should be no problem. Enjoy the Flordia sunshine and remember to use your sunscreen!
