By the way, doctor: Is it okay to drink grapefruit juice, as long as I don't take my statin at the same time?

Q. I've been advised not to take my statin drug, simvastatin, with grapefruit juice. But is it safe to take the medication at night and then drink grapefruit juice in the morning?

A. Grapefruit is a great low-calorie source of vitamin C, fiber, and other nutrients. But we've known for several years that this citrus fruit and its juice can interact adversely with many prescription drugs, including some of the statins that are widely used to lower cholesterol. (There's some evidence that pomelos, a fruit that resembles grapefruit, and Seville oranges, which are used in making marmalades, have a similar effect.)