Purpose

The main purpose is to review the current literature on the reactions of the tea with various medicated preparations.

Green tea has been lauded with various beneficial health effects and more recently its biological activities have been investigated.

The main constituent which is responsible for the health effect s of the green tea are polyphenols, of which the main one is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG); and methylxanthine like caffeine; and kaempferol. 

Experiment

Various advertisement for marketed green tea has gained attention of consumers. Green tea is used by the people for

weight loss treatment and health remedies. People consume green tea products without physician guidance and without considering the concomitant drug interactions and medical history.

Observations

The survey showed that 70% of population consumed green tea. Out of which 80% of the green tea consumers

consumes it for the weight loss treatment. Most of the population consumed tea, with various medications taken just before or after consumption of tea.

Result

The possible interactions of green tea with various drugs were like; increased hepatotoxicity due to consumption of tea

with paracetamol or diclofenac; toxic hepatitis due to tea with progesterone. Also due to the caffeine content in the tea it shows a modest increase in the blood pressure, which may be detrimental to treatment of hypertension and hence reduced effect of antihypertensives.

Conclusion

Our analysis of general survey suggests a casual association between green tea and various drugs. The hepatotoxicity caused is probably due to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) under particular condition related to patient metabolism. It appears necessary to provide detailed information to users and to improve active surveillance of these products. Hence we conclude that green tea is safe to consume under physician guidance to minimize the possible drug interactions.

Tags: MET Institute of Pharmacy