Question

Due to a work-related back injury, Phyllis has severe back pain and relies on hefty doses of prescription oxycodone for relief. Her cousin told her that regular consumption of grapefruit juice will help her lose weight so she starts drinking a 12-ounce glass every morning at breakfast. Which of the following is the most likely consequence of this situation?

	a.	She loses weight because the grapefruit juice.
	b.	Her oxycodone stops working and her backpain returns.
	c.	She suffers severe intestinal distress because of the combination of oxycodone and grapefruit juice.
	d.	She overdoses on oxycodone.

Answer 1

Answer - She overdosed on oxycodone

Explanation - Grapefruit juice has an effect on many drugs as it inhibits CYP3A enzyme or transporter proteins. Oxycodone type of opioid that is metabolized by CYP3A. Consumption of Grapefruit juice inhibited the CYP3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism of oxycodone this leads to the decrease in the formation of noroxycodone and noroxymorphone and eventually increase in oxymorphone. Hence, grapefruit products in the diet increase the concentrations and effects of oxycodone. This concludes that Phyllis has overdosed on oxycodone due to grapefruit juice.