Green Tea - Actemra (Tocilizumab) Interaction
Herbal: Green Tea
Also Known As: Camellia sinensis, Green Sencha Tea, Green Tea Extract, GTP, GTPF, Japanese Sencha Green Tea, Japanese Tea, Kunecatechins, Poly E, Polyphenon E, PTV, Té Verde, Tea Extract, Tea Green, Tea, Thé, Thé Vert, Yabukita, Yame Green Tea, Yame Tea
Drug: Tocilizumab
Brand names:
Actemra
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Jul 22, 2023
Interaction Details
Tocilizumab is classified as belonging to the following category: Hepatotoxic Drugs
Theoretically, concomitant use might have additive adverse hepatotoxic effects.
Green tea extract supplements have been linked to several cases of hepatotoxicity.
Interaction Rating
Likelihood of Occurrence
UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
References
- Bonkovsky HL. Hepatotoxicity associated with supplements containing Chinese green tea (Camellia sinensis). Ann Intern Med 2006;144:68-71.
- Gloro R, Hourmand-Ollivier I, Mosquet B, et al. Fulminant hepatitis during self-medication with hydroalcoholic extract of green tea. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2005;17:1135-7.
- Jimenez-Saenz M, Martinez-Sanchez, MDC. Acute hepatitis associated with the use of green tea infusions. J Hepatol 2006;44:616-9.
- Javaid, A. and Bonkovsky, H. L. Hepatotoxicity due to extracts of Chinese green tea (Camellia sinensis): a growing concern. J Hepatol 2006;45(2):334-335.
- Martinez-Sierra, C., Rendon, Unceta P., and Martin, Herrera L. [Acute hepatitis after green tea ingestion]. Med Clin (Barc.) 6-17-2006;127(3):119.
- Molinari, M., Watt, K. D., Kruszyna, T., Nelson, R., Walsh, M., Huang, W. Y., Nashan, B., and Peltekian, K. Acute liver failure induced by green tea extracts: case report and review of the literature. Liver Transpl. 2006;12(12):1892-1895.
- Federico, A., Tiso, A., and Loguercio, C. A case of hepatotoxicity caused by green tea. Free Radic.Biol Med 8-1-2007;43(3):474.
- Sarma, D. N., Barrett, M. L., Chavez, M. L., Gardiner, P., Ko, R., Mahady, G. B., Marles, R. J., Pellicore, L. S., Giancaspro, G. I., and Low, Dog T. Safety of green tea extracts : a systematic review by the US Pharmacopeia. Drug Saf 2008;31(6):469-484.
- Rohde, J., Jacobsen, C., and Kromann-Andersen, H. [Toxic hepatitis triggered by green tea]. Ugeskr.Laeger 1-17-2011;173(3):205-206.
- Yellapu, R. K., Mittal, V., Grewal, P., Fiel, M., and Schiano, T. Acute liver failure caused by 'fat burners' and dietary supplements: a case report and literature review. Can.J.Gastroenterol. 2011;25(3):157-160.
- Health Canada. Health Product Info Watch. October 2016; 5-6. Available at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/bulletin/hpiw-ivps_2016-10-eng.php#a15.
- Oketch-Rabah HA, Roe AL, Rider CV, et al. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) comprehensive review of the hepatotoxicity of green tea extracts. Toxicol Rep. 2020;7:386-402.
Green Tea Overview
Green tea is a type of tea that is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is native to Asia and is widely consumed throughout the world. Green tea has a mild, slightly grassy flavor and is typically lighter in color and less astringent than black tea.
Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants, particularly a group of compounds called catechins. These antioxidants are thought to help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Green tea is also a good source of other nutrients, including vitamin C and several B vitamins.
Green tea is often consumed for a number of purported health benefits including reducing the risk of heart disease, immune-stimulating effects, and weight loss.
Oral green tea supplements, containing dried powder, are most often utilized for the caffeine content and used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss.
Tocilizumab Overview
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Tocilizumab injection is used alone or in combination with other medications to relieve the symptoms of certain types of arthritis and other conditions including:
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rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) in adults who have not been helped by other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs),
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giant cell arteritis (a condition that causes swelling of blood vessels, especially in the scalp and head) in adults,
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systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD; also known as scleroderma-associated ILD: a lung disease that involves scarring of the lungs) in adults,
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polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA; a type of childhood arthritis that affects five or more joints during the first six months of the condition, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) in children 2 years of age or older.
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systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA; a condition in children that causes inflammation in different areas of the body, causing fever, joint pain and swelling, loss of function, and delays in growth and development) in children 2 years of age or older,
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cytokine release syndrome (a severe and possibly life-threatening reaction) in adults and children 2 years of age or older after receiving certain immunotherapy infusions.
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Tocilizumab injection is in a class of medications called interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of interleukin-6, a substance in the body that causes inflammation.
Green Tea - More Interactions
Green Tea interacts with 1188 drugs
Interaction Rating Key
These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
| Major | The combined use of these agents is strongly discouraged as serious side effects or other negative outcomes could occur. |
| Moderate | Use cautiously under the care of a healthcare professional or avoid this combination. A significant interaction or negative outcome could occur. |
| Minor | Be aware that there is a chance of an interaction. Watch for warning signs of a potential interaction. |
| Unknown | No interactions have been reported or no interaction data is currently available. |
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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Drug descriptions are provided by MedlinePlus.
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In addition to being a clinical pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy, Dr. Brian Staiger is a registered herbalist through the American Herbalist Guild. He has combined his passion for pharmacy practice with the study of medical ethnobotany to improve patient care. Feel free to reach out about any of your herbal or medication questions!
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