Drug interactions
Grapefruit + Prednisolone
Severity: Minor
Grapefruit and Prednisolone: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and may slightly raise systemic corticosteroid exposure. For prednisolone the effect is small, since it is cleared by multiple pathways and has high bioavailability, so clinical significance is limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Grapefruit and Prednisolone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Furanocoumarins in grapefruit inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, reducing first-pass metabolism.
What to do
No routine action is needed. Be alert for steroid adverse effects if the patient consumes large amounts of grapefruit juice regularly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Prednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Prednisolone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Grapefruit with Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Grapefruit and Prednisolone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and may slightly raise systemic corticosteroid exposure. For prednisolone the effect is small, since it is cleared by multiple pathways and has high bioavailability, so clinical significance is limited.
How serious is the interaction between Grapefruit and Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine action is needed. Be alert for steroid adverse effects if the patient consumes large amounts of grapefruit juice regularly.
What other medicines interact with Prednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Prednisolone page.
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