Grapefruit Interaction with Zoloft and Lexapro
Grapefruit can indeed interact with both Zoloft and Lexapro. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may block your body from breaking down antidepressants like Zoloft or Lexapro after you take them. This interaction can lead to increased levels of these medications in your body, potentially causing side effects. It's recommended to avoid consuming grapefruit while taking these medications.
What Is Zoloft?
Zoloft is a prescription drug. It is also known under its generic name sertraline. Sertaline is also the active ingredient in Zoloft which makes it work [1, 2, 3].
Zoloft belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) [1, 2, 3].
Zoloft is typically used to treat mental health conditions in adults. Such conditions include major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sometimes it is even prescribed for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and social anxiety disorder [4, 1, 2, 3]. Zoloft is also approved to be prescribed for children to treat OCD [1, 3].
Typically, Zoloft comes in two forms, an oral tablet or an oral liquid solution. These are both taken once daily [1, 2, 3].
Find out wheter Zoloft can cause acne.
What Is Lexapro?
Lexapro is also a prescription drug, often referred to as escitalopram. It works as an antidepressant medication, primarily for depression and generalized anxiety disorder [5, 6, 7].
The mechanism of Lexapro is similar to Zoloft's, namely that it works as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [5, 8, 6]. It increases the activity of serotonin in the brain, which helps regulate the mood [5, 8].
Similarly to Zoloft, it comes in two forms, an oral tablet and an oral liquid solution. Typically, individuals taking Lexapro use a dosage of 10 to 20 milligrams once a day [5]. Read our blog to find out whether you can get addicted to Lexapro. Lexapro is approved for both adults and children over 12 years [8, 6].
Do Zoloft And Lexapro Interact With Grapefruit?
It might come as a surprise that in fact Zoloft and Lexapro interact. There is evidence suggesting the potential interaction between these three, however, let’s look at it together.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may block your body from breaking down antidepressants like Zoloft or Lexapro after you take them[9].
Grapefruit contains compounds that inhibit the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme system in the intestines. This enzyme is responsible for metabolizing many medications, including Zoloft and Lexapro.
This binds to an enzyme active in your intestine, which may ultimately block the absorption of some medications including antidepressants like Zoloft and Lexapro [10, 11].
In addition to this, both Zoloft and Lexapro interact with other substances. Read our other blogs about the interaction of Lexapro and Lions Mane, Lexapro and L- thiamine , Zoloft and Mucinex, Zoloft and Chaga and other.
However, more research needs to be done in order to find a definitive link between grapefruit and Zoloft or Lexapro. For now, the potential interaction is not thought to be serious. However, in case you are planning to change your dietary regimen and consume grapefruit more than usual, consult it with your healthcare provider.