Grapefruit Slows Oxycodone Metabolism But Not Hydrocodone. Here’s Why

Grapefruit Slows Oxycodone Metabolism But Not Hydrocodone. Here’s Why

Grapefruit juice is more than a breakfast staple—it’s a potent enzyme inhibitor that can dramatically alter how certain drugs are metabolized. This article explores how a tiny structural difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone leads to big differences in their interaction with grapefruit, focusing on the roles of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.