Fruit Juice May Alter Effectiveness of Some Arthritis Medications

Fruit juice may not be the best choice when taking your arthritis medications. A Canadian researcher has concluded that fruit juice can decrease or increase the effect of certain medications by affecting their absorption. Emphasizing that patients shouldn't panic and stop drinking fruit juice, researchers will continue to study which drugs are affected and by how much.

It's well-known that grapefruit juice should be avoided with certain medications. In 1991, grapefruit juice was found to boost the amount of certain drugs absorbed into the bloodstream, increasing the drug's toxicity. Now, there are nearly 50 drugs that carry warnings about grapefruit juice. But it may also be that apple juice and orange juice affect the absorption of certain medications. The researcher said in The Gazette, "Chemicals in the fruit juices appear to turn off a pump that normally helps get drugs out of the gut and into the body. The concern is that drugs essential for treating serious medical conditions might lose their benefit." Methotrexate is named in the article as one of the drugs that may be affected by fruit juice.

The best advice regarding fruit juice and medication -- ask your doctor and pharmacist how you should take your pills for optimal effectiveness. It may be best to avoid fruit juices for at least two hours so that drugs can be fully absorbed.

Related Resources:

• Arthritis Drugs - What Are My Options?
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• 10 Ways to Ensure Drug Safety
• More About Drug Side Effects / Adverse Reactions

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