Grapefruit juice has long been known to be dangerous in
combination with medication, but in the case of drugs for various forms of
cancer, the opposite happens.Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that a glass of grapefruit juice increases the absorption of the drug sirolimus, which means that the dose in combination with the fruit could be reduced by one third, and still have full effect.
Smaller doses mean that patients will have less negative
effects of the drug. If a similar mechanism is also valid in combination with
other drugs, as researchers hope, doctors may prescribe in the future, fewer
doses, and patients have fewer side effects and more money in your pocket.
According to Ezra Cohen, an oncologist at the University of
Chicago, grapefruit juice reduces the effects of certain enzymes in the
intestinal walls, which slows down the drug from entering the bloodstream.
Among these drugs include statins for lowering cholesterol,
many medications for psychiatric conditions, analgesics, and many others.
Sirolimus, also known as rapamycin was originally used as an
antifungal drug.
Since it was discovered that acts as a potent
immunosuppressive, and is used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs.
More recently, it is also used to slow the spread of certain
cancers, particularly brain tumors and incurable blood cancer.
However, it has certain side effects in doses exceeding 45
mg per week, causing digestive problems, dizziness and diarrhea.
The study came to the discovery of the effects of grapefruit
included 138 people with incurable forms of cancer to reach the ideal dose.
A third only received sirolimus, sirolimus-third with 200 g
of grapefruit juice, and the third with another sirolimus drug ketoconazole,
which also increases the absorption.
The best results were shown in those patients taking
grapefruit juice, because it took them only 25 to 35 mg sirolimus.
The study was published in the journal Clinical Cancer
Research.
