# The pharmacist explained which medications should not be taken with tea

Tea can reduce the effectiveness of a number of medications and even increase the risk of side effects, pharmaceutical specialists warn.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to "Gazeta.Ru," Russian pharmacist Natalya Kalashnikova explained that substances contained in tea can interact with components of medications, hindering their normal absorption.

According to the expert, one of the main reasons is the presence of tannins in the beverage — astringent substances that give tea its characteristic tart taste. They bind with the active components of medications, forming compounds that the body is virtually unable to absorb through the intestines. As a result, the drug passes through the digestive system without producing the expected therapeutic effect.

Another risk factor, specialists note, is caffeine. It can alter the function of liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing medications. Because of this, the concentration of certain drugs in the blood may increase, raising the likelihood of side effects, or conversely, decrease, reducing their therapeutic action.

Experts recommend paying particular attention to iron supplements. Tannins significantly impair the absorption of this microelement, which can reduce the effectiveness of treatment by more than half.

In addition, caution should be exercised when taking antidepressants and antipsychotics. As the specialist notes, caffeine can enhance the effects of certain psychotropic drugs, increasing the risk of adverse effects instead of the expected calming impact.

Antibiotics are considered no less sensitive to combination with tea. Tannins can reduce their antibacterial activity, decreasing the effectiveness of therapy. A similar problem arises with anticonvulsant medications: caffeine can weaken their protective action and increase the likelihood of seizures occurring.

Pharmacists advise washing down any medications with plain drinking water and consuming tea and coffee separately. In most cases, it is recommended to maintain an interval of at least 30–60 minutes between taking a medication and the beverage. When using iron supplements and certain types of antibiotics, specialists advise increasing this interval to at least two hours.