Green Tea oral dosage forms

What is Green Tea?

GREEN TEA is a dietary supplement (herbal remedy). Proposed health uses for green tea include protective effects against cancer and heart disease. Some promote green tea for weight loss. Green tea is not FDA-approved. Green tea usually contains caffeine, but some green tea products are decaffeinated. Seek the advice of their health care professional prior to taking green tea regularly for health purposes.

What should my health care professional know before I receive Green Tea?

It is important for you to tell your prescriber or other health care professional that you are using green tea. Some herbs exert potent effects and may interact with other drugs you are taking.

You should discuss green tea with your health care professional BEFORE taking it if you have any of these conditions:

• abnormal bleeding or a history of bleeding

• anemia

• diabetes mellitus

• heart disease or irregular heartbeat

• high blood pressure

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• low blood sugar

• seizure disorder

• stomach disorders such as ulcers or heartburn

• taking blood-thinning medications

• thyroid disease

• trouble sleeping

• an unusual reaction to Green Tea, caffeine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Green tea is usually taken by mouth (i.e., swallowed), either as a beverage or in capsule or tablet form. Follow the directions on the package label or talk to your health care provider.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, simply resume taking it on your previous schedule. Do not take double or extra doses to catch up, however.

What drug(s) may interact with Green Tea?

• aspirin

• cilostazol

• cimetidine

• ciprofloxacin

• clarithromycin

• clopidogrel

• clozapine

• creatine

• danshen

• dipyridamole

• disulfiram

• enoxaparin or other injectable blood thinners

• ephedra, Ma huang

• epinephrine

• erythromycin

• female hormones, like estrogen or birth control pills

• feverfew

• fluconazole

• fluvoxamine

• garlic

• ginger

• ginkgo biloba

• guarana

• iron

• isoproterenol

• ketoconazole

• lithium

• medicines for colds and breathing difficulties

• medicines for high blood sugar or diabetes

• medicines for sleep

• medicines for weight loss

• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, selegiline

• methyldopa

• mexiletine

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• rifampin

• stimulants like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate

• tacrine

• terbinafine

• theophylline

• ticlopidine

• warfarin

For many herbs, interactions with other medications are unknown. That is why you should always be careful when mixing herbal remedies with traditional medications. If you take any other medications, consult with your health care professional prior to taking green tea.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Green Tea?

Since green tea is derived from a plant, allergic reactions are possible. Stop using this herb if you develop a rash. You may want to see your health care professional, or inform them that this occurred.

Because green tea usually contains caffeine, do not take green tea close to bedtime. It may prevent you from sleeping.If you have been a regular caffeine user, you can get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking caffeine. Symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, headache, anxiety, or nervousness. If you are taking a green tea product that contains caffeine, be aware of other products that contain caffeine, like coffee, black or oolong tea, colas, chocolate and some medications.

If you are scheduled to have surgery, let your health care provider know you are using green tea.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Green Tea?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• anxiety or panic reactions

• bleeding (gums, nose, skin, stool, urine)

• confusion

• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting spells

• fast or irregular breathing or heartbeat (palpitations)

• muscle twitching

• nausea and vomiting

• seizures (convulsions)

• trembling

• unusual bruising

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• difficulty sleeping

• diarrhea

• frequent passing of urine

• headache

• irritability

• nervousness, restlessness

• stomach upset

Most of the common side effects of green tea are from caffeine.Reduce your intake of green tea or change to a decaffeinated product if you get any of these side effects.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Follow the package label for directions on storage. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:

Dietary supplements include amino acids, vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and other plant-derived substances, and extracts of these substances. These products are easy to identify as they must state 'Dietary Supplement' on the label. A 'Supplement Facts' panel is provided on the label for most products. Supplements are not drugs and are not regulated like drugs. You should note that rigid quality control standards are not required for dietary supplements. Big differences in potency and purity of these products can occur. Scientific data to support the use of a dietary supplement for a certain disease or ailment may not be available. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following to help consumers protect themselves:

• Always read product labels and follow directions.

• 'Natural doesn't mean a product is safe for humans to take.

• Look for products containing ingredients with the 'USP' notation. This indicates the manufacturer followed the standards of the US Pharmacopoeia.

• Supplements produced or distributed by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls as these companies have standards in place for their other products. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.