Medication Absorption & Orange Juice

Drinking orange juice with breakfast is a long-standing American tradition. It has just the right amount of sweetness, lots of vitamin C and helps wash down those morning meds. However, the latest studies report that orange juice, along with grapefruit and apple juice may actually inhibit the absorption of many medications. So, while the goodness of orange juice still nourishes your body, you may have to change the way in which you enjoy it.

In the 1980s, David Bailey, Ph.D., a professor of medicine and pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario, found that fruit juice substantially boosted the effectiveness of getting the blood pressure medication, felodipine, into the bloodstream. However, since then, other researchers showed that the juice actually inhibited other medications. Bailey conducted more studies that fell more in line with other study results. According to Mercy Health Plans, Bailey presented his new findings in 2008.

The outcome of a recent study showed that hesperidin, a chemical isolated in orange juice, reduced the absorption of the antihypertensive drug celiprolol in the intestines of rats. Other studies found that another chemical involved in malabsorption also exists in orange juice. It has the properties of naringin, a compound that gives a tart taste, also found in grapefruit. Specifically, these naringin-like compounds block absorption of the drug in the small intestine.

随着时间的推移，更多的证据看来，橙汁许多药物的吸收产生负面影响。这些药物包括降血压吃药，包括β-阻滞剂阿替洛尔，塞利洛尔和他林洛尔。对花粉过敏症的治疗非索非那定的有效性也由喝橙汁的影响。另一项研究比较了三组谁拿抗酸剂，Aludrox，本身橙汁或牛奶的成年人。基团为铝的吸收进行了比较。研究人员发现，有吸收显著率较高的是带着橙汁抗酸比牛奶或本身在一组。在这种情况下，该结果表明，橙汁升压的铝进入体内，具有有害作用的量。

Unless you have another reason for avoiding orange juice, don't refrain from enjoying it without your medications. It provides vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. You should take your medications on an empty stomach with a glass of water. Drugs that upset the stomach will have a warning on their labels if you need to take them with food or milk. Generally, a cool glass of water helps to dissipate the drug in the stomach faster. Sips won't completely aid in the dissolution. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining multiple drugs.