Marked change in blood tacrolimus concentration levels due to grapefruit in a renal transplant patient

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2019 Oct;44(5):819-822. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13002. Epub 2019 Jun 23.

Abstract

What is known and objective: Reveal the current status of grapefruit in the Chinese medical environment.

Case description: An approximately 2-fold increase in blood tacrolimus concentration was observed on day 9 in the hospital despite no change in dose. The only possible cause is that the patient had consumed grapefruit during hospitalization, which is often mistakenly considered to be a fruit belonging to the West and uncommon in the medical environment in China.

What is new and conclusion: This is the first report of grapefruit-induced blood tacrolimus concentration change. Chinese medical practitioners should re-evaluate the impact of grapefruit and food-drug interactions caused by it.

Keywords: Grapefruit; food-drug interaction; renal transplantation; tacrolimus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Citrus paradisi / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Food-Drug Interactions / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / blood*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Tacrolimus / blood*
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tacrolimus