Drug & supplement interaction

Grapefruit + Diltiazem

Diltiazem brand names: Cardizem, Cardizem SR, Diltiaz SR, Cardizem CD, Tiazac, and others.

Major Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Major

Diltiazem falls into 3 drug categories that Grapefruit can interact with; the most serious is rated major. Grapefruit juice can increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityMajor
LikelihoodLikely
Interactions3
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Grapefruit and Diltiazem

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Grapefruit interacts with whole categories of medication. Diltiazem falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Grapefruit in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Major).

Major

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Diltiazem

Diltiazem falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Grapefruit interacts with.

Grapefruit juice can increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Clinical research shows that grapefruit juice can inhibit CYP3A4 metabolism of drugs, causing increased drug levels and potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects. When taken orally, effects of grapefruit juice on CYP3A4 levels appear to last at least 48 hours. Grapefruit's ability to inhibit CYP3A4 has even been harnessed to intentionally increase levels of venetoclax, which is metabolized by CYP3A4, in an elderly patient with acute myeloid leukemia who could not afford full dose venetoclax. The lower dose of venetoclax in combination with grapefruit juice resulted in serum levels of venetoclax in the therapeutic reference range of full dose venetoclax and positive treatment outcomes for the patient.
Professional consensus recommends the consideration of patient age, existing medical conditions, additional medications, and the potential for additive adverse effects when evaluating the risks of concomitant use of grapefruit juice with any medication metabolized by CYP3A4. While all patients are at risk for interactions with grapefruit juice consumption, patients older than 70 years of age and those taking multiple medications are at the greatest risk for a serious or fatal interaction with grapefruit juice.
Severity Major Likelihood Likely Evidence B

Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the short version for diltiazem and grapefruit. Your liver and gut use an enzyme called CYP3A4 to break diltiazem down. Grapefruit blocks that enzyme, so the drug clears more slowly and can build up in your blood. Diltiazem is active as-is (not a prodrug), so more of it means a stronger effect than you bargained for.

In real life, that can show up as blood pressure dropping too low, dizziness, a slow heartbeat, swelling in your ankles, or feeling unusually tired. This is rated a major, likely interaction, and the effect can linger for a day or two after grapefruit. Please don't change anything on your own. Just check with your pharmacist or doctor about whether grapefruit is okay for you.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ. Grapefruit juice increases serum concentrations of atorvastatin and has no effect on pravastatin. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999;66:118-27. DOI
  2. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ. Grapefruit juice-simvastatin interaction: effect on serum concentrations of simvastatin, simvastatin acid, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998;64:477-83. PubMed
  3. Jetter A, Kinzig-Schippers M, Walchner-Bonjean M, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;71:21-9. PubMed
  4. Fuhr U, Muller-Peltzer H, Kern R, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice and smoking on verapamil concentrations in steady state. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2002;58:45-53. PubMed
  5. Kanazawa S, Ohkubo T, Sugawara K. The effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of erythromycin. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2001;56:799-803. PubMed
  6. Charbit, B., Becquemont, L., Lepere, B., Peytavin, G., and Funck-Brentano, C. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between grapefruit juice and halofantrine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;72(5):514-523. PubMed
  7. 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. PubMed
  8. Bailey DG. Predicting clinical relevance of grapefruit-drug interactions: a complicated process. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017 Apr;42(2):125-27. PubMed
  9. Mouly S, Lloret-Linares C, Sellire PO, Sene D, Bergmann JF. Is the clinical relevance of drug-food and drug-herb interactions limited to grapefruit juice and Saint-John's Wort? Pharmacol Res. 2017 Apr;118:82-92. PubMed
  10. Loretz C, Ho MD, Alam N, Mitchell W, Li AP. Application of cryopreserved human intestinal mucosa and cryopreserved human enterocytes in the evaluation of herb-drug interactions: evaluation of CYP3A inhibitory potential of grapefruit juice and commercial f
  11. Long Z, Ruan M, Wu W, Zeng Q, Li Q, Huang Z. The successful combination of grapefruit juice and venetoclax in an unfit acute myeloid leukemia patient with adverse risk: A case report. Front Oncol 2022;12:912696. PubMed
Major

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

2 of 3

Diltiazem also falls under CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS.

Grapefruit juice can increase blood levels of oral calcium channel blockers, potentially increasing the effects and adverse effects of these drugs.
Clinical research shows that grapefruit juice increases absorption and plasma concentrations of amlodipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, verapamil, felodipine, nimodipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, pranidipine, nitrendipine, and manidipine, This interaction is likely the result of the inhibition of intestinal metabolism of these drugs by CYP3A4, although some research suggests grapefruit may alter plasma drug levels by reducing the rate of gastric emptying. Consuming grapefruit juice 1 liter daily increases steady state concentrations of verapamil by as much as 50%. However, some references dispute the clinical relevance of the interactions with amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil. Other research in healthy individuals suggests plasma levels of felodipine and nifedipine are not affected when given intravenously. There is considerable interindividual variability in the effect of grapefruit juice on drug metabolism, which might account for inconsistent study results. In healthy older adults, the hemodynamic response to felodipine plus grapefruit juice might be influenced by altered autonomic regulation. In older healthy adults, a single dose of grapefruit juice and felodipine enhanced the blood pressure-lowering effects of felodipine. However, after a week of grapefruit juice and felodipine (steady state), the hypotensive activity was reduced, possibly due to compensatory tachycardia. Research indicates it is necessary to withhold grapefruit juice for as long as 3 days to avoid interactions with felodipine and nisoldipine.
Severity Major Likelihood Likely Evidence B

Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the short version: grapefruit can slow down a gut enzyme called CYP3A4, and that enzyme normally helps break down diltiazem before it reaches your bloodstream. Block that enzyme, and more of the drug gets absorbed. Since diltiazem is already active (it's not a prodrug), more in your system means a stronger effect than expected.

In real terms, that could mean your blood pressure dropping too low, dizziness, lightheadedness, flushing, or your heart rate slowing more than it should. Now, the honest caveat: the evidence here is mixed, and some experts argue the diltiazem effect is fairly small for many people. Reactions vary a lot person to person. I wouldn't panic over an occasional grapefruit, but please don't make grapefruit a daily habit without checking with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Josefsson M, Zackrisson AL, Ahlner J. Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1996;51:189-93. PubMed
  2. Garg SK, Kumar N, Bhargava VK, Prabhakar SK. Effect of grapefruit juice on carbamazepine bioavailability in patients with epilepsy. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998;64:286-8. PubMed
  3. Bailey DG, Spence JD, Munoz C, Arnold JM. Interaction of citrus juices with felodipine and nifedipine. Lancet 1991;337:268-9. PubMed
  4. Bailey DG, Arnold JM, Strong HA, et al. Effect of grapefruit juice and naringin on nisoldipine pharmacokinetics. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1993;54:589-94. PubMed
  5. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Kreeft JH, et al. Grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction: Effect of segments and an extract from unprocessed fruit. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;67:107 (abstract PI-71).
  6. Dresser GK, Bailey DG, Carruthers SG. Grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction in healthy seniors. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998;65:(abstract PIII-63).
  7. Zaidenstein R, Dishi V, Gips M, et al. The effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of orally administered verapamil. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1998;54:337-40. PubMed
  8. Fuhr U. Drug Interactions with Grapefruit Juice. Drug Saf 1998;18:251-72. DOI
  9. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Murakami H, et al. Relationship between time after intake of grapefruit juice and the effect on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nisoldipine in healthy subjects. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000:67:201-14. PubMed
  10. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Matsuo H, et al. Pharmacokinetic analysis of felodipine-grapefruit juice interaction based on an irreversible enzyme inhibition model. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000;49:49-58. PubMed
  11. Dresser GK, Bailey DG, Carruthers SG. Grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction in the elderly. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;68:28-34. PubMed
  12. Erlund I, Meririnne E, Alfthan G, Aro A. Plasma kinetics and urinary excretion of the flavanones naringenin and hesperetin in humans after ingestion of orange juice and grapefruit juice. J Nutr 2001;131:235-41. PubMed
  13. Ho PC, Ghose K, Saville D, Wanwimolruk S. Effect of grapefruit juice on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of verapamil enantiomers in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000;56:693-8. PubMed
  14. Uno T, Ohkubo T, Sugawara K, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice on the stereoselective disposition of nicardipine in humans: evidence for dominant presystemic elimination at the gut site. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000;56:643-9. PubMed
  15. Fuhr U, Muller-Peltzer H, Kern R, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice and smoking on verapamil concentrations in steady state. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2002;58:45-53. PubMed
  16. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Bend JR. Bergamottin, lime juice, and red wine as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity: comparison with grapefruit juice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;73:529-37 . PubMed
  17. Sigusch, H., Hippius, M., Henschel, L., Kaufmann, K., and Hoffmann, A. Influence of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of a slow release nifedipine formulation. Pharmazie 1994;49(7):522-524.
  18. Bailey, D. G., Arnold, J. M., Munoz, C., and Spence, J. D. Grapefruit juice--felodipine interaction: mechanism, predictability, and effect of naringin. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1993;53(6):637-642. PubMed
  19. Bailey, D. G., Arnold, J. M., Bend, J. R., Tran, L. T., and Spence, J. D. Grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction: reproducibility and characterization with the extended release drug formulation. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1995;40(2):135-140.
  20. Christensen, H., Asberg, A., Holmboe, A. B., and Berg, K. J. Coadministration of grapefruit juice increases systemic exposure of diltiazem in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2002;58(8):515-520. PubMed
  21. Edgar, B., Bailey, D., Bergstrand, R., Johnsson, G., and Regardh, C. G. Acute effects of drinking grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics and dynamics of felodipine--and its potential clinical relevance. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1992;42(3):313-317.
  22. Goosen, T. C., Cillie, D., Bailey, D. G., Yu, C., He, K., Hollenberg, P. F., Woster, P. M., Cohen, L., Williams, J. A., Rheeders, M., and Dijkstra, H. P. Bergamottin contribution to the grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction and disposition in humans. Cl PubMed
  23. Fuhr, U., Maier-Bruggemann, A., Blume, H., Muck, W., Unger, S., Kuhlmann, J., Huschka, C., Zaigler, M., Rietbrock, S., and Staib, A. H. Grapefruit juice increases oral nimodipine bioavailability. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998;36(3):126-132.
  24. Hashimoto, K., Shirafuji, T., Sekino, H., Matsuoka, O., Sekino, H., Onnagawa, O., Okamoto, T., Kudo, S., and Azuma, J. Interaction of citrus juices with pranidipine, a new 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1 PubMed
  25. Lundahl, J., Regardh, C. G., Edgar, B., and Johnsson, G. Effects of grapefruit juice ingestion--pharmacokinetics and haemodynamics of intravenously and orally administered felodipine in healthy men. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1997;52(2):139-145. PubMed
  26. Lundahl, J., Regardh, C. G., Edgar, B., and Johnsson, G. Relationship between time of intake of grapefruit juice and its effect on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of felodipine in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1995;49(1-2):61-67. PubMed
  27. Rashid, T. J., Martin, U., Clarke, H., Waller, D. G., Renwick, A. G., and George, C. F. Factors affecting the absolute bioavailability of nifedipine. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1995;40(1):51-58. PubMed
  28. Soons, P. A., Vogels, B. A., Roosemalen, M. C., Schoemaker, H. C., Uchida, E., Edgar, B., Lundahl, J., Cohen, A. F., and Breimer, D. D. Grapefruit juice and cimetidine inhibit stereoselective metabolism of nitrendipine in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1991; PubMed
  29. Rashid, J., McKinstry, C., Renwick, A. G., Dirnhuber, M., Waller, D. G., and George, C. F. Quercetin, an in vitro inhibitor of CYP3A, does not contribute to the interaction between nifedipine and grapefruit juice. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1993;36(5):460-463.
  30. Uno, T., Ohkubo, T., Motomura, S., and Sugawara, K. Effect of grapefruit juice on the disposition of manidipine enantiomers in healthy subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2006;61(5):533-537. DOI
  31. Paine, M. F., Widmer, W. W., Hart, H. L., Pusek, S. N., Beavers, K. L., Criss, A. B., Brown, S. S., Thomas, B. F., and Watkins, P. B. A furanocoumarin-free grapefruit juice establishes furanocoumarins as the mediators of the grapefruit juice-felodipine in
  32. Sigusch, H., Henschel, L., Kraul, H., Merkel, U., and Hoffmann, A. Lack of effect of grapefruit juice on diltiazem bioavailability in normal subjects. Pharmazie 1994;49(9):675-679.
  33. Odou, P., Ferrari, N., Barthelemy, C., Brique, S., Lhermitte, M., Vincent, A., Libersa, C., and Robert, H. Grapefruit juice-nifedipine interaction: possible involvement of several mechanisms. J Clin Pharm Ther 2005;30(2):153-158. PubMed
  34. Bailey, D. G., Dresser, G. K., Kreeft, J. H., Munoz, C., Freeman, D. J., and Bend, J. R. Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;68(5):468-477. PubMed
  35. Guo, L. Q., Chen, Q. Y., Wang, X., Liu, Y. X., Chu, X. M., Cao, X. M., Li, J. H., and Yamazoe, Y. Different roles of pummelo furanocoumarin and cytochrome P450 3A5*3 polymorphism in the fate and action of felodipine. Curr Drug Metab 2007;8(6):623-630. PubMed
Minor

P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Diltiazem also falls under P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES.

Grapefruit juice does not seem to affect renal P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Theoretically, it might inhibit intestinal P-gp, but evidence is conflicting.
While most in vitro research shows that grapefruit products inhibit P-gp,, research in humans is less clear. Two small clinical studies in healthy adults using digoxin as a probe substrate show that grapefruit juice does not inhibit P-gp in the kidneys. It is unclear whether this applies to intestinal P-gp, for which digoxin is not considered to be a sensitive probe. Grapefruit juice has been shown to reduce levels of fexofenadine, and increase levels of quinidine. However, as both of these drugs are also substrates of other enzymes and transporters, it is unclear what role, if any, intestinal P-gp has in these findings.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Interaction 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.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the thing to know about grapefruit and diltiazem: the interaction on file is about a transporter called P-glycoprotein, and honestly the evidence here is pretty weak. In real people, grapefruit doesn't seem to do much to this transporter, so this particular pathway is mostly a theoretical concern.

That said, I'd still keep grapefruit on your radar. Diltiazem is broken down partly by an enzyme in your gut and liver (CYP3A4), and grapefruit is well known for blocking that enzyme. That could let more diltiazem build up, which might mean a lower heart rate, dizziness, lightheadedness, swelling in the ankles, or feeling unusually tired. An occasional bite of grapefruit is unlikely to be a problem, but regular juice or several whole fruits could add up. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before making it a habit.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Soldner A, Christians U, Susanto M, et al. Grapefruit juice activates P-glycoprotein-mediated drug transport. Pharm Res 1999;16:478-85. PubMed
  2. Damkier P, Hansen LL, Brosen K. Effect of diclofenac, disulfiram, itraconazole, grapefruit juice and erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics of quinidine. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1999;48:829-38. PubMed
  3. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Munoz C, et al. Reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability by fruit juices. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;69:P21.
  4. Edwards DJ, Fitzsimmons ME, Schuetz EG, et al. 6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin in grapefruit juice and Seville orange juice: effects on cyclosporine disposition, enterocyte CYP3A4, and P-glycoprotein. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999;65:237-44. PubMed
  5. Becquemont L, Verstuyft C, Kerb R, et al. Effect of grapefruit juice on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;70:311-6. DOI
  6. Dresser GK, Bailey DG, Leake BF, et al. Fruit juices inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide-mediated drug uptake to decrease the oral availability of fexofenadine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;71:11-20. PubMed
  7. Parker RB, Yates CR, Soberman JE, Laizure SC. Effects of grapefruit juice on intestinal P-glycoprotein: evaluation using digoxin in humans. Pharmacotherapy 2003;23:979-87. PubMed
  8. Di Marco MP, Edwards DJ, Wainer IW, Ducharme MP. The effect of grapefruit juice and seville orange juice on the pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan: the role of gut CYP3A and P-glycoprotein. Life Sci 2002;71:1149-60. PubMed
  9. Dresser GK, Kim RB, Bailey DG. Effect of grapefruit juice volume on the reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability: possible role of organic anion transporting polypeptides. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2005;77:170-7. PubMed
  10. Min, D. I., Ku, Y. M., Geraets, D. R., and Lee, H. Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of quinidine in healthy volunteers. J Clin Pharmacol 1996;36(5):469-476. PubMed
  11. Jia Y, Liu J, Xu J. Influence of grapefruit juice on pharmacokinetics of triptolide in rats grapefruit juice on the effects of triptolide. Xenobiotica. 2017 Apr 16:1-5. PubMed
  12. Guideline on the investigation of drug interactions. CPMP/EWP/560/95/Rev. 1 Corr. 2. European Medicines Agency, 2015. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/guideline-investigation-drug-interactions-revision-1_en.pdf (As
  13. Piscitelli J, Nikanjam M, Capparelli EV, et al. Fexofenadine Plasma Concentrations to Estimate Systemic Exposure in Healthy Adults Using a Limited Sampling Strategy with a Population Pharmacokinetic Approach. Ther Drug Monit 2023;45(4):539-545. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • 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.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Grapefruit Also Interacts With Other Medications

Grapefruit has 775 major, 151 moderate, 63 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Diltiazem one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 775 Moderate 151 Minor 63 No known interaction 1,841 (incl. Diltiazem)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Grapefruit

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Grapefruit. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Grapefruit or Diltiazem

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Grapefruit or Diltiazem, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Diltiazem

This page covers Grapefruit only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Diltiazem page lists 260 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Coleus (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 7 major · 214 moderate · 39 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Diltiazem page

“Someone on diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac) is usually managing blood pressure, angina, or a fast heart rhythm, so this list deserves genuine care. Seven of the 260 ingredients on file carry a major rating, and two of those are things people actually buy: grapefruit, which blocks the enzyme that clears diltiazem and can push its blood leve…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Diltiazem interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Grapefruit as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 1,144 real supplement products containing Grapefruit, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Grapefruit. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Diltiazem too, on top of Grapefruit — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Grapefruit and Diltiazem Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Grapefruit
Top 10%

#110 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Diltiazem
Top 10%

#284 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Grapefruit

What is Grapefruit?

Grapefruit
  • Source of vitamin C
  • Digestive complaints
  • Antimicrobial (seed extract)
  • Weight management
  • Skin and cosmetic uses

Grapefruit is a nutritious citrus fruit rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, and it is generally safe to eat. However, grapefruit is famous for serious interactions with many prescription medicines, so anyone taking medication should check with a pharmacist or doctor before consuming it regularly.

Read the full Grapefruit monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Diltiazem

What Is Diltiazem Used For?

Brand names: Cardizem, Cardizem SR, Diltiaz SR, Cardizem CD, Tiazac, Diltiaz XT, Diltiaz CD, Dilacor, Diltiaz, Cardizem LA, Dilacor XR, Cartia XT, Tiamate, Adizem-SR, Adizem-XL, Angitil SR, Angitil XL, Calcicard CR, Dilcardia SR, Dilzem SR, Dilzem XL, Slozem, Tildiem LA, Tildiem Retard, Viazem XL, Zemtard 120XL, Zemtard 180XL, Zemtard 240XL, Zemtard 300XL

Oral extended-release forms of diltiazem — including Matzim LA, Cardizem LA, Cartia, Cartia XT, Tiadylt ER, and various generic capsules and tablets — are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and chronic stable angina (chest pain brought on by activity). Some capsule formulations, including Cartia, Cartia XT, and certain generics, are also approved for angina due to coronary artery spasm (sudden chest pain caused by a sudden tightening of a coronary artery).

Injectable forms of diltiazem are used in hospital settings to temporarily slow a dangerously fast heart rate in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (rapid, irregular heart rhythms), and to restore a normal heart rhythm in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) — sudden episodes of a very fast but regular heartbeat originating above the heart's lower chambers.

See full Diltiazem drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Grapefruit

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Grapefruit — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

775Major
151Moderate
63Minor
1,840No known interaction
775 Major 151 Moderate 63 Minor 1,840 No interaction
Major

775 interactions

Showing 60 of 775 major interactions — see all 775 on the Grapefruit page.

Moderate

151 interactions

Showing 60 of 151 moderate interactions — see all 151 on the Grapefruit page.

Minor

63 interactions

Showing 60 of 63 minor interactions — see all 63 on the Grapefruit page.

No interaction 1,840 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Grapefruit against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,840 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Grapefruit list.

See the full Grapefruit interactions page
See every supplement checked against Diltiazem, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Grapefruit monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Diltiazem supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Diltiazem, ranked by severity Diltiazem drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Grapefruit and Diltiazem Together: Common Questions

Can you take Grapefruit with Diltiazem?
This is rated a major interaction, so the combination is best avoided unless your doctor or pharmacist has specifically told you otherwise. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Grapefruit and Diltiazem?
Diltiazem belongs to more than one drug category, and Grapefruit interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Grapefruit and Diltiazem interaction?
We rate it Major. This is a clinically significant combination that is generally best avoided, or used only under the direct supervision of your physician or pharmacist.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.