Skip to content

Grapefruit interferes with targeted therapies?

Page last modified on: October 10, 2008
Question from Joan: Grapefruit is said to inhibit one of the P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of some chemotherapy drugs. Is it also potentially able to interfere with targeted drugs like Herceptin and Tykerb? If so, should grapefruit (and other citrus fruits?) be banned from the diets of patients on Herceptin and Tykerb?
Answer —Andrew Seidman, M.D.: Very good question, and I honestly don't know if those specific drugs require this enzyme and how critical it is for the metabolism. It is certainly true that grapefruit juice as well as other food products can interfere with P450, but I'd have to refer this question to the drug manufacturer.

On Wednesday, July 19, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Targeted Therapies: What is Right for You?Andrew Seidman, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. answered your questions about different kinds of targeted therapies and how they work.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

wellness_dvd_promo

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Andrew D. Seidman, M.D.Andrew D. Seidman, M.D. is an attending physician for the Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and a professor of medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. is a breast cancer oncologist at Paoli Hematology-Oncology Associates in Paoli, Pa., with a special interest in physicians' communication skills.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.