Grapefruit - Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) Interaction
Herbal: Grapefruit
Also Known As: Citrus paradisi
Drug: Chlordiazepoxide
Brand names:
Librium

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
May 04, 2025
Interaction Details
Chlordiazepoxide is classified as belonging to the following category: Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates
Theoretically, grapefruit juice might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research suggests that grapefruit juice might inhibit CYP1A2 enzymes. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans.
Interaction Rating
Likelihood of Occurrence
PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
References
- Unger M, Frank A. Simultaneous determination of the inhibitory potency of herbal extracts on the activity of six major cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and automated online extraction. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2004;1
Interaction Details
Chlordiazepoxide is classified as belonging to the following category: Benzodiazepines
Grapefruit juice might increase blood levels of some oral benzodiazepines, potentially increasing the effects and adverse effects of these drugs.
Clinical research shows that grapefruit juice can increase plasma triazolam concentrations. Repeated consumption of grapefruit juice greatly increases triazolam concentrations and prolongs the half-life, probably due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Some studies show that grapefruit juice, particularly when taken in large quantities, reduces the clearance and increases the maximum blood levels, area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC), and duration of effect of midazolam. However, there is no effect on intravenous midazolam. Grapefruit juice has also been shown to increase the maximum blood levels and duration of effect of diazepam, but the clinical significance of this is not known. This interaction does not appear to occur with alprazolam.
Interaction Rating
Likelihood of Occurrence
LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
References
- Ozdemir M, Aktan Y, Boydag BS. Interaction between grapefruit juice and diazepam in humans. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1998;23:55-9.
- Fuhr U. Drug Interactions with Grapefruit Juice. Drug Saf 1998;18:251-72.
- Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Backman JT, Neuvonen PJ. Effect of grapefruit juice dose on grapefruit juice-triazolam interaction: repeated consumption prolongs triazolam half-life. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000;56:411-5.
- Greenblatt DJ, von Moltke LL, Harmatz JS. Time course of recovery of cytochrome P450 3A function after single doses of grapefruit juice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;74:121-29 .
- Veronese ML, Gillen LP, Burke JP, et al. Exposure-dependent inhibition of intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4 in vivo by grapefruit juice. J Clin Pharmacol 2003;43:831-9. .
- Farkas D, Oleson LE, Zhao Y, et al. Pomegranate juice does not impair clearance of oral or intravenous midazolam, a probe for cytochrome P450-3A activity: comparison with grapefruit juice. J Clin Pharmacol 2007;47:286-94.
- Potential drug interactions with grapefruit. Pharmacist's Letter / Prescriber's Letter 2007;23(2):230204.
- Yasui N, Kondo T, Furukori H, et al. Effects of repeated ingestion of grapefruit juice on the single and multiple oral-dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alprazolam. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2000;150:185-90.
- Andersen, V., Pedersen, N., Larsen, N. E., Sonne, J., and Larsen, S. Intestinal first pass metabolism of midazolam in liver cirrhosis --effect of grapefruit juice. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002;54(2):120-124.
- Hukkinen, S. K., Varhe, A., Olkkola, K. T., and Neuvonen, P. J. Plasma concentrations of triazolam are increased by concomitant ingestion of grapefruit juice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995;58(2):127-131.
- Kupferschmidt, H. H., Ha, H. R., Ziegler, W. H., Meier, P. J., and Krahenbuhl, S. Interaction between grapefruit juice and midazolam in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995;58(1):20-28.
- Culm-Merdek, K. E., von Moltke, L. L., Gan, L., Horan, K. A., Reynolds, R., Harmatz, J. S., Court MH, and Greenblatt, D. J. Effect of extended exposure to grapefruit juice on cytochrome P450 3A activity in humans: comparison with ritonavir. Clin Pharmacol
- Sugimoto, K., Araki, N., Ohmori, M., Harada, K., Cui, Y., Tsuruoka, S., Kawaguchi, A., and Fujimura, A. Interaction between grapefruit juice and hypnotic drugs: comparison of triazolam and quazepam. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2006;62(3):209-215.
- Tanaka S, Uchida S, Miyakawa S, Inui N, Takeuchi K, Watanabe H, Namiki N. Comparison of inhibitory duration of grapefruit juice on organic anion-transporting polypeptide and cytochrome P450 3A4. Biol Pharm Bull. 2013;36(12):1936-41.
- Kawaguchi-Suzuki M, Nasiri-Kenari N, Shuster J, et al. Effect of low-furanocoumarin hybrid grapefruit juice consumption on midazolam pharmacokinetics. J Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Mar;57(3):305-11.
Grapefruit Overview

Chlordiazepoxide Overview
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Chlordiazepoxide is used to relieve anxiety and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. Chlordiazepoxide is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Grapefruit - More Interactions
Grapefruit interacts with 962 drugs
Interaction Rating Key
These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
Major | The combined use of these agents is strongly discouraged as serious side effects or other negative outcomes could occur. |
Moderate | Use cautiously under the care of a healthcare professional or avoid this combination. A significant interaction or negative outcome could occur. |
Minor | Be aware that there is a chance of an interaction. Watch for warning signs of a potential interaction. |
Unknown | No interactions have been reported or no interaction data is currently available. |
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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
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