The grapefruit-drug interaction debate: role of statins.

摘要

to the editor: We would like to raise several concerns we have with the article, "Management of Grapefruit-Drug Interactions, which provided a relatively concise overview of this topic. Atherosclerotic vascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. The use of statins for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease has an extensive evidence base and has been proven repeatedly to reduce cardiac events and mortality. However, even in the best of circumstances, only 48 percent of patients for whom these medications are clinically indicated are receiving the recommended treatment for their hyperlipidemia. For patients taking statins, long-term medication adherence is a significant challenge for physicians. Our primary concern is that exaggerated statements about the clinical significance of grapefruit-statin interactions will further reduce the use of this important class of medications.