Drug interactions
Folic acid + Green tea
Severity: Minor
Folic acid and Green tea: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Green tea catechins, notably EGCG, may reduce folate absorption and bioavailability. This could matter in pregnancy or in folate-deficient states where adequate folate is essential.
What this interaction means in plain words
Folic acid and Green tea have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Folic acid belongs to Miscellaneous; Green tea belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Green tea catechins may inhibit folate transporters and dihydrofolate reductase, lowering folic acid availability.
What to do
Separate green tea from folic acid supplements by a few hours and limit heavy green tea intake in pregnancy or folate deficiency. Monitor folate status if clinically relevant.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Folic acid
- Ethotoin + Folic acid Moderate
- Folic acid + Fosphenytoin Moderate
- Folic acid + Glucarpidase Moderate
- Folic acid + Methotrexate Moderate
- Folic acid + Pafolacianine Moderate
- Folic acid + Phenobarbital Moderate
Other interactions of Green tea
- Adenosine + Green tea Moderate
- Benzphetamine + Green tea Moderate
- Bortezomib + Green tea Moderate
- Dextroamphetamine + Green tea Moderate
- Diethylpropion + Green tea Moderate
- Ephedrine + Green tea Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Folic acid with Green tea?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Folic acid and Green tea have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Green tea catechins, notably EGCG, may reduce folate absorption and bioavailability. This could matter in pregnancy or in folate-deficient states where adequate folate is essential.
How serious is the interaction between Folic acid and Green tea?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate green tea from folic acid supplements by a few hours and limit heavy green tea intake in pregnancy or folate deficiency. Monitor folate status if clinically relevant.
What other medicines interact with Folic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Folic acid with, for example, Ethotoin, Fosphenytoin, Glucarpidase. The full list is on the Folic acid page.
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