Which dietary interaction should be considered with some statins?

• A. Caffeine
• B. Grapefruit juice
• C. Milk
• D. High-sodium foods

Answer: (B)

Grapefruit juice can alter how some statins are processed in the body. It inhibits enzymes in the gut (CYP3A4) that normally break down certain statins, so the drug stays higher in the bloodstream. That raises the chance of muscle-related side effects, from aches to, in rare cases, serious muscle breakdown. Not all statins are affected equally; drugs mainly metabolized by CYP3A4—such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin—are more likely to show this interaction, while others like pravastatin and rosuvastatin are less influenced. Because of this, patients taking susceptible statins are often advised to avoid grapefruit juice or limit intake and to report any muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine promptly. The other dietary items listed don’t have a meaningful interaction with statins in routine practice.