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Dietary supplement

L-Theanine Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NuMedica

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

L-Theanine is a dietary supplement by NuMedica with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, relaxation and calm, sleep support.Based on those ingredients, 565 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Theanine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Theanine by NuMedica

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: L-theanine, an amino acid found naturally in tea. The capsule also includes inactive ingredients—microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, ascorbyl palmitate, L-leucine, and bamboo extract—which are fillers and binders that hold the capsule together.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Theanine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: promote a sense of relaxation.
  • We looked for evidence on: Stress, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Insomnia, calmness, mental ease, tension relief.
  • The closest evidence on file: Theanine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Theanine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Insomnia, Stress.

L-theanine is possibly effective for supporting cognitive function based on available evidence. For age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and cancer, the evidence is currently insufficient to rate whether it works.

If you're considering it for one of those purposes, talk with your pharmacist about what the research actually shows.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Theanine

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

L-theanine is generally well tolerated in healthy adults for short-term use, but we don't have solid long-term safety data. The most common side effects reported are headaches, drowsiness, and more vivid dreams.

One case of facial tics was reported in a child, though the tics stopped when the supplement was stopped, and the child had a history of tics beforehand. There isn't enough safety data to recommend L-theanine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in those situations.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Theanine

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Theanine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 565 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, double-check your blood pressure medications with your pharmacist—theanine can potentiate (strengthen) their effect and might lower your pressure too much. Also flag any CNS depressants (sleeping pills, sedatives, certain pain relievers) and serotonergic drugs (like antidepressants) so your pharmacist can assess the risk.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

L-Theanine may be worth trying if you're looking to support focus and mental clarity, and it's generally well tolerated in the short term. If you take blood pressure medication, sedatives, or serotonin-related drugs, check with your pharmacist first.

Not enough is known about long-term use, so this isn't something to take indefinitely without guidance.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 21, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about L-Theanine, straight from the product label.

Brand NuMedica
Barcode (UPC) 812527012356
Net contents 120 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 21, 2024
DSLD ID 323566
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for L-Theanine by NuMedica, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
812527012356
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Theanine200 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ascorbyl Palmitate, L-Leucine, Bamboo Extract

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take one capsule 1-2 times per day or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Formula

l-Theanine is a naturally occurring, unique amino acid found in green tea leaves. NuMedica's L-Theanine is Suntheanine- the most respected source and the one which has been used in scientific studies. L-Theanine may promote a sense of relaxation without causing drowsiness. It has also been found to promote healthy cellular function and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. L-Theanine may be useful in reducing the negative side effects of caffeine.

Featuring Suntheanine

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Warning: Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Storage: Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Does not contain: Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy.

Professional Quality Formulas

Relaxation and stress support

Gluten-Free

Vegetarian

Seals/Symbols

cGMP Third-Party Certified Facility

Brand IP Statement(s)

NuMedica Advancing Nutrition

Suntheanine - a registered trade name for pure L-Theanine from Taiyo Kagaku Co. Ltd., Yokkaichi, Japan.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

L-Theanine by NuMedica label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Theanine by NuMedica

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Theanine

Interacts with
565 drugs
200 mg per serving

Theanine (usually L-theanine) is an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves that many people take to feel calmer and less stressed without strong dro...

L-Theanine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ascorbyl Palmitate, L-Leucine, Bamboo Extract. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Theanine by NuMedica Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Theanine?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
565Drugs
172 Moderate 393 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in L-Theanine with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

L-Theanine3 drug types · 565 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theanine might lower blood pressure, potentiating the effects of antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research shows that theanine can lower blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive animals. Theoretically, concomitant use of theanine and antihypertensive drugs might potentiate the antihypertensive activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, theanine might have additive sedative effects when used in conjunction with CNS depressants. However, it is unclear if this concern is clinically relevant.
Theoretically, theanine may compete with glutamate and/or increase plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, which could cause CNS depression. In one clinical study, some subjects taking oral theanine reported drowsiness.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Serotonergic Drugs

Clinical studies regarding the effects of L-theanine on serotonin levels are conflicting. Some studies suggest it can increase serotonin levels in the brain while others report that it may decrease them. Nevertheless, there have been no reports of l-theanine being a causative agent in serotonergic-related side effects or serotonin syndrome.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence C
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for L-Theanine, from the product label.

NuMedica

See all NuMedica products
Name
NuMedica LLC
Street Address
9503 E. 55th Place
City
Tulsa
State
OK
ZipCode
74145
Phone Number
800.869.8100
Web Address
www.numedica.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Theanine by NuMedica: Common Questions

Does L-Theanine by NuMedica interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Theanine has a known interaction with 565 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
L-Theanine contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What's L-theanine actually supposed to do?
L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea. Our data shows it's possibly effective for supporting cognitive function. For other uses like anxiety, focus in aging, or Alzheimer disease, there's not enough evidence yet to say whether it works.
Are there any side effects I should know about?
The most common ones reported are headaches, drowsiness, increased dream activity, and longer sleep. They're generally mild, but if you notice anything odd, stop and let your pharmacist know.
Is it okay to take L-theanine while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data, so it's best to avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for your situation—they can give you personalized advice.
How long can I safely take this?
It's generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied. If you're thinking about taking it regularly for months, mention that to your pharmacist.
Will this make me drowsy?
Some people report drowsiness after taking L-theanine. If you're sensitive to that or taking other sedating medications, start low and see how you feel, and talk with your pharmacist first.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if L-Theanine is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

L-Theanine label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

L-Theanine's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 6 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Theanine 6 references
  1. Yokogoshi H, Kobayashi M. Hypotensive effect of gamma-glutamylethylamide in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Life Sci 1998;62:1065-8.
  2. Haskell, C. F., Kennedy, D. O., Milne, A. L., Wesnes, K. A., and Scholey, A. B. The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biol.Psychol. 2008;77(2):113-122. PubMed
  3. Yokogoshi, H., Kato, Y., Sagesaka, Y. M., Takihara-Matsuura, T., Kakuda, T., and Takeuchi, N. Reduction effect of theanine on blood pressure and brain 5-hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 1995;59(4):615-618. PubMed
  4. Lyon MR, Kapoor MP, Juneja LR. The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(4):348-
  5. Hidese S, Ota M, Wakabayashi C, et al. Effects of chronic l-theanine administration in patients with major depressive disorder: an open-label study. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2017;29(2):72-9.
  6. Tsuchiya T, Honda H, Oikawa M, et al. Oral administration of the amino acids cystine and theanine attenuates the adverse events of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Int J Clin Oncol 2016;21(6):1085-90. PubMed

See these in context on the Theanine monograph →

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

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