Drugs cause death- Grapefruit does not

While it may seem obvious, the provocative titles that are commonplace in mainstream media deserve attention. One recent headline caught my attention HERE, "Grapefruit juice's deadly side effects." Well, of course that is NOT true. It isn't even close to being true. There is likely no documented case in history where grapefruit juice is listed as the cause of death following someone's untimely passing.

What does cause death?

Drugs. Drugs cause death. Negative side effects from properly prescribed drugs are the listed cause of death for hundreds of thousands of people each year. That means drug side effects from properly prescribed drugs alone, are a top 5 cause of death! Not including abuse or misuse, but side effects from properly prescribed medication. For some reason the recent review published in Canadian Medical Association Journal brings to light a drug-interaction with deadly consequences from something seeming innocuous- grapefruit juice.

How does this happen?

Well, in case you have gotten this far and did not read the article from Yahoo Health, the study author states that most of the necessary information that would prevent these interactions is listed in the packet insert that comes with the drug, but most patients and doctors don't read it! Why would someone just pop pills like they are candy and then suggest grapefruit juice is a problem when people die unexpectedly? We are a culture created by advanced marketing and advertising to believe drugs are health providing miracle workers- they are not.

What you need to know

Drugs with the potential to interact with grapefruit include the following:

• statins (Zocor, Lipitor)
• calcium channel blockers (Procardia, Nimotop, Sular)

And certain medications for the following conditions:

• anxiety (BuSpar)
• heart arrhythmias (Cordarone)
• depression (Zoloft)
• seizures (Tegretol, Carbatrol)
• malaria (quinine)
• insomnia (Halcion).

Now what?

If you take prescription or other drugs, go find the package insert and READ IT! If you are given a prescription from your medical doctor, ask him/her to go over the package insert with you and answer your questions. If he/she does so, then you have a good doctor. If not, find a new doctor- your life may depend on it! Drugs can be life-saving, but they must be treated with respect- for the positive effects, but especially for possible negative effects. Don't let common headlines create a complacent attitude in you or your family about drugs. Take them seriously and READ THE PACKAGE INSERT!