Can I eat grapefruit with statins?

It depends on which statin you take: avoid grapefruit entirely with simvastatin, avoid large amounts with atorvastatin, while rosuvastatin and pravastatin are barely affected — confirm your specific statin.

What fruit can't you eat with statins?

Avoid grapefruit and pomelo entirely with simvastatin; avoid large amounts with atorvastatin. Seville oranges contain the same compounds as grapefruit, but regular sweet oranges are fine.

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Can I eat this with Statins?

Grapefruit blocks the enzyme (CYP3A4) that clears some statins, letting levels build up and raising the risk of muscle damage.

Also sold as Enebium, Lipostat, Lloydspharmacy Cholesterol Lowering, Ranzolont, Simvador, Zocor Heart-Pro. Brand names from the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices.

Type any food below for an instant verdict — we check 53 foods and drinks for Statins (9 to avoid, 35 to take care with) — or tap one below.

Quick answers

Can I eat grapefruit with statins?: It depends on which statin you take: avoid grapefruit entirely with simvastatin, avoid large amounts with atorvastatin, while rosuvastatin and pravastatin are barely affected — confirm your specific statin.
What effect does grapefruit have on statins?: Grapefruit blocks the enzyme that clears some statins, letting levels build up and raising the risk of muscle damage — the effect is statin-specific and most severe with simvastatin.
What fruit can't you eat with statins?: Avoid grapefruit and pomelo entirely with simvastatin; avoid large amounts with atorvastatin. Seville oranges contain the same compounds as grapefruit, but regular sweet oranges are fine.

Grounded in the checker below and the full guide. Not a substitute for your pharmacist.

1 · What do you take?

Statinsalso simvastatin, atorvastatin, lipitor

Grapefruit blocks the enzyme (CYP3A4) that clears some statins, letting levels build up and raising the risk of muscle damage.

The interaction is statin-specific: simvastatin is most affected (avoid grapefruit entirely), atorvastatin moderately (avoid large amounts), while rosuvastatin and pravastatin are barely affected. Check which statin you take.

Read our full Statins guide →

2 · What do you want to eat or drink?

Tap a food to see the answer, or type any food or drink in the box above.

Foods to avoid with Statins· 9

Take care with Statins· 35

Fine with Statins· 9

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This checker summarises published guidance (NHS medicine pages, patient information leaflets and drug labels) for general information only. It is not medical advice, it is not exhaustive, and it cannot account for your dose, kidney function, other medicines, or health conditions. Always follow your prescriber, pharmacist, or the patient information leaflet — especially before changing what you eat or drink. See our editorial policy.

Each medicine on its own page

Medicines in this group with a page of their own, each with what its own NHS page says about food.

Food groups that matter with Statins

Every medicine each one affects, on one page.

Affected by the same foods as Statins.