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Melody



Quit Date:
August 19, 2004

Posts: 1103
Location: Ontario

PostPosted: November 6, 2004 10:09 AM    Post subject: Health alert Reply with quote

Thought I'd better post this as cranberry juice is often mentioned here as an aid. We don't want to do more harm than good. Very Happy

5.4m blood clot patients warned off cranberry juice

James Meikle, health correspondent
Saturday November 6, 2004
The Guardian

Drug watchdogs say patients on the anti-coagulant warfarin should not drink cranberry juice. A second person has died since informal advice to at least limit consumption was issued last year.
Now the Committee on the Safety of Medicines has said "it is not possible to define a safe quantity or brand of cranberry juice" and told doctors that patients on warfarin should be advised to avoid the drink unless the health benefits are thought to outweigh the risks.

Women often drink cranberry juice because of its known benefits in reducing cystitis, but patients who refuse to abandon cranberry, and that includes capsules and concentrates, must now be put under increased medical supervision and undergo coagulation tests.

The warning coincides with separate advice for those on cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins not to drink grapefruit juice. The two alerts could affect millions of people.

The grapefruit warning was particularly related to an over-the-counter product called simvastatin, brand name Zocor, and a prescription-only drug, Lipitor. But the Food Standards Agency and juice manufacturers made clear yesterday there would be no health warnings on the drinks.

The problems are thought to be linked to chemicals in the juices which interfere with the way enzymes metabolise drugs. About 100m litres of cranberry juice are sold each year in Britain, as well as 30m litres of grapefruit.

Neither safety warning has been issued to the public in general but only through the update on current problems in drug safety issued to health professionals. About 5.4m prescriptions were issued for warfarin in England last year. It helps prevent blood clots which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. More than a million people are on statins.

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Cathy Rees, medical spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation, welcomed the guidance . "It is important that agencies producing medications work together to make any side-effects apparent."

She added: "For most of the millions with heart disease who take statins or warfarin, the benefits of medicines far outweigh the risks, but these side effects should not be ignored. We advise anyone concerned to speak to their doctor."

The medicines committee said it had received a total of 12 reports of suspected interactions involving warfarin and cranberry, including two deaths. Some involved bleeding. The committee said there was now "sufficient evidence" for formal advice for patients not to drink cranberry juice to be issued. Product information issued with warfarin would therefore be updated.

The British Soft Drinks Association said people on medication should take advice from their doctors "about what kind of dietary avoidances they should make". Warnings on the juices might cause people "to worry unnecessarily".

The Food Standards Agency said: "We haven't discussed the labelling of fruit juices with the industry. It would be for medical professionals to advise on."
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Cowgirl UP!



Quit Date:
July 26, 2004

Posts: 5029
Location: Ala

PostPosted: November 6, 2004 11:36 AM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Melody, before long, I am afraid they will be telling us it is not safe to eat Laughing seriously, this is very helpful to alot of people I am sure!
Kay
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bake10



Quit Date:
October 20, 2004

Posts: 407
Location: Michigan

PostPosted: November 6, 2004 5:28 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the information, it is good to know. Jeri
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Zuzu



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Posts: 962
Location: Marin

PostPosted: November 6, 2004 9:06 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Grapefruit juice is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome p450 enzyme system and it is well known that it interacts with many drugs. There was a fad a few years back re: a grapefruit diet - a few people died of liver failure eating only grapefruit - likely because of the way grapefruit impacts the CYp450 system. One would expect that it will either increase or decrease blood levels of many commonly perscribed medications.

For people NOT on medications, however, grapefruit and grapefruit juice IN MODERATION is just fine.

I'm not exactly sure how cranberry juice impacts people on warfarin - but my guess is that somehow it interferes with the blod clotting drug. An example of someone who might be receiving warfarin would be a person living with hemophelia. For people NOT on warfarin, however, I'm sure cranberry juice is just fine, IN MODERATION.

I think we could see warnings that it's really not safe to do things in excess - including eat. But it's probably very healthy and life promoting to do it in moderation (wink).

The take home message here really is that just because something is available over-the-counter, sold in a grocery store and/or available without a perscription doesn't make it safe and/or without side effects/toxicities. If you're being treated with medication for ANY condition, be sure to tell your doctor 98and/or pharmacist) about all of the alternative and complementary therapies you may be taking (including vitamins, herbs, etc.) and have your doctor and/or pharmacist check to make sure that it's safe to use these things together. Also tell your doctor about any special diets you may be on.
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kannprint



Quit Date:
April 10, 2004

Posts: 4988
Location: St. Louis, MO

PostPosted: November 6, 2004 9:29 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear Melody,

Thanks for taking the time to alert all of us to these possible problems. Can't be too careful.
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