Influence of fruit juices on the bioavailability and half-life of drugs
The administration of medications together with fruit juices can determine variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, compromising the bioavailability and half-life of the compounds involved.
Objective: Verify and classify information on occurrences of interactions that result from the co-administration of medicines and fruit juices.
Materials and Methods: A literature review was carried out on the proposed topic. Data on interactions were obtained from research in different databases and related books, carried out in the period 2008/2009. The method used in the study included the analysis of information obtained from databases such as PUBMED, SCIELO, BDENF, BBO and natural medicine comprehensive database, with the descriptors used consisting of: interactions, interactions, fruit juices, fruit juice, CYP 450, P-glycoproteins and OATP (organic anion transporter polypeptide).
Results: It was evident that there were a significant number of interactions, identified from experimental studies, case-controls and case reports. References about the worsening of an effect or therapeutic ineffectiveness, resulting from the association of drugs with fruit juices, were cited by several authors. Conclusion: The study showed that interactions between orange and grapefruit juices are the most commonly cited occurrences, often responsible for variations in the bioavailability and half-life of drugs, which ultimately determine variations in the therapeutic response.
Revista Ciência & Saúde, Porto Alegre, v. 3, n. 1, p. 22-28, jan./jun. 2010