Taking medications is best done with warm plain water, and it is not advisable to use tea. This is because tea contains multiple amino acids, vitamins, inorganic salts, Tannic acid, volatile oils, as well as alkaloids like caffeine and theophylline. These substances can interact with certain drugs. For example, caffeine can excite the central nervous system and when taken with sedatives, can reduce their efficacy. Theophylline can affect the absorption of anti-parkinsonian drugs in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing their effectiveness.
Why You Should Not Take Medications with Tea
Theaflavins in tea can have an antagonistic and antidotal effect on anti-inflammatory drugs, potentially rendering them ineffective. This can lead to a significant reduction in the efficacy of antibiotics such as cephalosporins and penicillins. Many people find that after taking medication and Drinking Tea, the effectiveness of the medication is notably diminished.
Tannic acid present in tea can react with the alkaloids in gastric juice, forming precipitates that are not easily absorbed by the body, greatly reducing the therapeutic effect of the drug.
Theaflavins and caffeine in tea can damage the gastric mucosa, and acidic drugs can also irritate the gastric mucosa. Consuming both together can easily cause excessive secretion of gastric acid, leading to the onset of gastritis.
Avoid drinking strong tea while taking Chinese herbal medicines, such as Rhodiola rosea, Safflower, and Salvia miltiorrhiza, as this may decrease their efficacy.
It is recommended to avoid drinking tea during the period you are taking medication, and to choose warm water instead, which can help achieve the optimal therapeutic effect of the medication.
Theophylline can compete with quinolone drugs for metabolic pathways, increasing the Blood concentration of the drug. Polyphenols in strong tea can chelate with erythromycin in the intestine, reducing the blood concentration. Polyphenols will also complex with ferrous ions in iron supplements, forming precipitates that are difficult to dissolve and absorb. Therefore, strict avoidance of tea is advised when supplementing with iron. Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, can combine with polyphenols in tea to form precipitates, hindering absorption and reducing efficacy. Therefore, it is suggested to avoid drinking tea when taking medication.