While grapefruit and other citrus fruits are a great source of vitamins and nutrients, they can also interfere with the absorption by your body with the medications your physician has prescribed.

The chemical compound that interferes is not exactly known, however there are other fruits and dietary supplements that you should also be concerned about.

Other fruits, such as tangelos, Seville oranges, and hybrid grapefruit's pulp and the peel of the skin (such as when using the zest of an orange in some recipes) can cause serious interactions with the following medications:

Anti-seizure, anti-depressants, tranquilizers, calcium channel blockers, HIV medication, cholesterol lowering medication, immunosuppressants, heart medication that controls heart rhythm, pain medication, erectile dysfunction medications, and dietary suppliments that contain grapefruit bioflavonoids.

If you have any concerns about your medication, please talk with your physician or pharmacist.  You can also contact me directly on my "Ask The Dietitian" page.