Green Tea Drug Interactions

If you take certain medications with green tea, drug interactions could potentially occur. Many of these medicines may increase the level of caffeine (a component of green tea) in your blood, increasing your risk of side effects. Some of the medications that can cause negative drug interactions with green tea products include theophylline, fluvoxamine, warfarin, and other stimulants.

 

An Introduction to Green Tea Drug Interactions

Even though it is a "natural" product, green tea can potentially interact with several medicines. Some of the medicines that may lead to green tea drug interactions include:
 
  • Any other stimulants, including caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines, and many weight loss products
  • Clozapine (Clozaril®)
  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
  • Mexiletine (Mexitil®)
  • Theophylline (Uniphyl®, Theocron®, TheoCap®, Theo-24®, Elixophyllin®)
  • Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).
     

Green tea Interactions Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when green tea is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
Any Other Stimulants
Use caution when combining green tea with any other stimulant. Green tea contains caffeine, which can be dangerous when taken with other stimulants.
 
Clozapine (Clozaril)
For some people, caffeine (a component of green tea) can make psychotic symptoms worse. Additionally, there is some evidence that caffeine may increase the level of clozapine in your blood, which may lead to dangerous side effects. Check with your healthcare provider before combining green tea with clozapine.
(Green Tea Drug Interactions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;