Drug interactions
Grapefruit + Propafenone
Severity: Moderate
Grapefruit and Propafenone: moderate 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 can raise oral propafenone exposure, especially in people who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. Higher levels may increase proarrhythmic and conduction effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Grapefruit and Propafenone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 first-pass metabolism by grapefruit components.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid regular large grapefruit juice intake while taking propafenone. Monitor ECG and heart rate if intake is unavoidable.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Grapefruit and Propafenone, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Propafenone
- Dofetilide + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Nirmatrelvir + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Propafenone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Grapefruit with Propafenone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Grapefruit and Propafenone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and can raise oral propafenone exposure, especially in people who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. Higher levels may increase proarrhythmic and conduction effects.
How serious is the interaction between Grapefruit and Propafenone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid regular large grapefruit juice intake while taking propafenone. Monitor ECG and heart rate if intake is unavoidable.
What other medicines interact with Propafenone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Propafenone with, for example, Dofetilide, Dronedarone, Nilotinib. The full list is on the Propafenone page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
