Drug interactions
Green tea + Phenobarbital
Severity: Minor
Green tea and Phenobarbital: 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
Phenobarbital can speed up the metabolism of caffeine in green tea, lowering caffeine exposure and its stimulant effect. The change is rarely clinically significant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Green tea and Phenobarbital have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Induction of hepatic enzymes, including CYP1A2, increasing caffeine clearance.
What to do
No action is required; be aware that stimulant effects of tea may be reduced.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Green tea and Phenobarbital, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Green tea with Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Green tea and Phenobarbital have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Phenobarbital can speed up the metabolism of caffeine in green tea, lowering caffeine exposure and its stimulant effect. The change is rarely clinically significant.
How serious is the interaction between Green tea and Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No action is required; be aware that stimulant effects of tea may be reduced.
What other medicines interact with Green tea?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Green tea with, for example, Adenosine, Benzphetamine, Bortezomib. The full list is on the Green tea page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
