What does grapefruit juice do to amlodipine?
Emily Wong
Updated on February 25, 2026
What does grapefruit juice do to amlodipine?
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a calcium channel blocker like felodipine and nifedipine, which also does not interact with grapefruit ( 6 , 8 ).
What medication can’t you eat grapefruit with?
Examples of common medications that interact with grapefruit juice include certain statin cholesterol drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin, simvastatin (Zocor), felodipine (Plendil) and other calcium channel blockers, clarithromycin (Biaxin), and loratadine (Claritin).
What are the worst side effects of amlodipine?
Serious side effects
- Low blood pressure. Symptoms can include: severe dizziness. lightheadedness. fainting.
- More chest pain or a heart attack. When you first start taking amlodipine or increase your dosage, your chest pain may get worse or you may have a heart attack. Symptoms can include: chest pain or discomfort.
Is grapefruit good for high blood pressure?
Citrus fruits, including grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, may have powerful blood-pressure-lowering effects. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that may help keep your heart healthy by reducing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure ( 4 ).
Does grapefruit remove plaque from arteries?
In one study, animals fed a high-cholesterol diet plus grapefruit pectin had 24 percent narrowing of their arteries, versus the control with 45 percent narrowing. In other words, the pectin binds to cholesterol and helps to remove arterial buildup. The limonoids mentioned above also help lower high cholesterol levels.
Can you drink orange juice while taking amlodipine?
Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available. GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with orange, apple, or grapefruit juice may significantly decrease the oral bioavailability and renin-inhibiting effect of aliskiren.
Why should I avoid grapefruit while taking amlodipine?
Do not eat or drink lots of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. This is because grapefruit can increase the concentration of amlodipine in your body and worsen side effects.
Why does grapefruit affect medication?
Many drugs are broken down (metabolized) with the help of a vital enzyme called CYP3A4 in the small intestine. Grapefruit juice can block the action of intestinal CYP3A4, so instead of being metabolized, more of the drug enters the blood and stays in the body longer.
Is amlodipine hard on the kidneys?
Amlodipine and lisinopril should not cause kidney damage and in fact are used to treat high blood pressure and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What is the best breakfast for high blood pressure?
Hypertension: Breakfast options for high blood pressure
- Oats. Starting your day with oats is the best fuel you can give to your body.
- Yogurt with fruits. Yogurt is another healthy option that is good for high blood pressure.
- Egg.
- Nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy.
- Banana and berries.