Can I drink tea while taking medication daily?
Disease description:
I have hyperthyroidism and need to take medication daily. However, I usually have the habit of drinking tea and am concerned it might interact with my medication. May I ask, is it okay to drink tea while taking my medication every day?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Tea contains various components such as theophylline, tannic acid, tannins, and polyphenols, which may chemically interact with ingredients in medications, potentially reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing adverse reactions. It is recommended that drinking tea during medication may lower drug efficacy or increase the risk of side effects. It is advisable to avoid drinking tea, especially strong tea, 1–2 hours before and after taking medication.
Components in tea may also affect the absorption and metabolism of medications. For example, tea polyphenols are strong antioxidants that may chemically react with medications and affect their stability. Meanwhile, caffeine in tea may interfere with the absorption of medications in the gastrointestinal tract, thus reducing their effectiveness. If the medication being taken is not affected by tea, moderate consumption of weak tea may still be acceptable.
To ensure medication effectiveness and avoid adverse reactions, it is recommended to avoid drinking tea as much as possible during the course of treatment, especially strong tea.
