DrugPair interaction guide

Atorvastatin and Grapefruit

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a statin used to lower cholesterol. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the amount of atorvastatin in your blood, raising the risk of side effects.

Written by DrugPair Editorial Team. Updated 16 July 2026.

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Moderate interaction

Use with caution — ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What you need to know

Grapefruit can affect intestinal enzymes and transporters involved in how some medicines are processed. The size of the effect varies by drug, person, and amount, so the warning on the exact atorvastatin product and advice from a pharmacist are more reliable than a universal grapefruit limit.

What to do

Read the patient information supplied with your atorvastatin and ask a pharmacist whether grapefruit applies to your exact product and dose.

Ask whether related fruits such as pomelo or Seville orange matter for your medicine before consuming them regularly.

Do not stop or switch a statin without speaking with the prescriber who manages it.

When to call your doctor

Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.

Dark-coloured urine — a sign of muscle breakdown.

Sources

Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don't MixU.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 2026-07-16.Drug Interactions: What You Should KnowU.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 2026-07-16.

Source databases can disagree or omit an interaction. Report an error.

DrugPair provides educational safety information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always ask a doctor or pharmacist before changing medicines, supplements, food, drinks, or prescription timing.

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