Homework SourseWhy are people taking atorvastatin warned not to drink large
Why are people taking atorvastatin warned not to drink large quantities of grapefruit juice?
Grapefruit juice inactivates the liver enzyme that metabolizes atorvastatin. The drug would be eliminated too quickly.
Grapefruit juice inactivates the liver enzyme that metabolizes atorvastatin. Drug levels can become toxic.
Grapefruit juice slows the absorption of atorvastatin. Drug levels would not become therapeutic.
Grapefruit juice slows the absorption of atorvastatin. Plasma proteins would not become saturated.
| a. | Grapefruit juice inactivates the liver enzyme that metabolizes atorvastatin. The drug would be eliminated too quickly. | |
| b. | Grapefruit juice inactivates the liver enzyme that metabolizes atorvastatin. Drug levels can become toxic. | |
| c. | Grapefruit juice slows the absorption of atorvastatin. Drug levels would not become therapeutic. | |
| d. | Grapefruit juice slows the absorption of atorvastatin. Plasma proteins would not become saturated. |
Solution
b). Grapefruit juice inactivates the liver enzyme that metabolises atorvastatin. Drug levels can become toxic.
Grape juice contains enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit the metabolising enzymes of atorvastatin in the liver. Due to the reduced metabolism, the drug concentrations in the plasma would rise and become toxic.
