Final answer:
Patients should not take atorvastatin with grapefruit juice because it can interfere with the medication's metabolism, leading to increased levels in the body and potentially causing side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients should not take atorvastatin with grapefruit juice because grapefruit juice can interfere with the metabolism of atorvastatin, leading to increased levels of the medication in the body. Atorvastatin is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called CYP3A4. Grapefruit juice contains compounds that can inhibit this enzyme, causing the medication to be absorbed more effectively and increasing its concentration in the bloodstream.
This interaction can potentially lead to an increased risk of side effects, such as muscle pain and liver damage. Therefore, it is important for patients taking atorvastatin to avoid consuming grapefruit juice or products containing grapefruit while on this medication.