Kiwi fruit

[Jules A]

Has anyone had any troubles eating kiwi fruit. I haven't had kiwi fruit for a while but decide to buy some the other day for a change and had two after my dinner. Within 30 minutes I was doubled up with abdominal pain. A few days later I decided to try another one to confirm that it was the kiwi fruit that had caused the trouble and sure enough, 30 minutes later I was in pain (though not so bad as I'd only eaten one this time).

Now I've never had touble eating kiwis in the past so I cant think that it's an allergy so the only thing I can think is that maybe it is a reaction with one of my many medications. I can't find any warnings about kiwi fruit in any of the data sheets or in BNF but I seem to remember at the back of my mind reading on a forum about someone else suffering a reaction. The most likely culprit must be metformin followed by some of my blood pressure meds such as Zanidip (which is not good with grapefruit). Anyway here is a list of what I take so if anyone knows of an interaction with any of them please let me know.

Metformin
Levemir
Novorapid
Ramipril
Inderal (Propranolol)
Zanidip (Lercanidipine)
Cardura (Doxazosin)
Bendroflumethiazide
Pravastatin
Omeprazole
Mirtazapine

It's quite a list so I'm surprised I don't get more problems. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Copepod]

Hi Julian
As you say, it's grapefruit that you have to watch with certain blood pressure medications. There are a couple of possiblilities - (1) the kiwifruit interacted with one of your medications; or (2) are you used to having 2 pieces of fruit of relatively high sugar and fluid content after an evening meal? if unusd to such food, you might get a gut reaction eg abdominal pain - the fact that 1 wasn't as bad as 2 suggests a dose response, which supports this explanation; or (3) it was an allergic reaction, although that seems less likely, as you don't mention any itching or redeness or swelling of eyes / nose / lips / face

In any case, it's worth mentioning to your GP and / or pharmacist, to they can note the situation and perhaps submit a yellow card to report a drug interaction, which may not yet be widely recognised and / or advise you of how to deal with the situation.

 

[Steff]

I have tryed to see if they is anything out there about kiwis and all i can find is positives it even states Inositol, a sugar alcohol naturally occurring in kiwifruit, may play a positive role in regulating diabetes. Inositol supplements may improve nerve conduction velocity in diabetic neuropathy. i must admit i dont like kiwi fruits but i do like the odd grapefruit.

 

[Jules A]

Thanks Copepod, I'll mention it next time I see my doc. I eat quite a lot of fruit so I don't think it's your second possibility so I think it must be a drug interaction.

Thanks Steff for searching for an answer. I used to eat a lot of kiwis but got bored with them and moved on to other fruits so haven't eaten them in years. Now finding I can't eat them was quite a surprise.