Final answer:
b. blood concentration of the drugs increase. The common side effect from taking certain prescription drugs and consuming grapefruit juice is blood concentration of the drugs increase
Step-by-step explanation:
The common side effect from taking certain prescription drugs and consuming grapefruit juice is blood concentration of the drugs increase
Grapefruit juice contains compounds that can interfere with the enzymes responsible for breaking down drugs in the body. This can result in higher levels of the drugs circulating in the bloodstream, leading to an increased risk of side effects or toxicity. The specific chemicals in grapefruit juice responsible for this interaction are called furanocoumarins.
For example, a medication that is normally metabolized by a particular enzyme in the liver may be less efficiently broken down in the presence of grapefruit juice. As a result, the drug may stay in the body longer and reach higher concentrations, potentially causing the side effects associated with higher doses.