Can You Drink Tea With Levothyroxine?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not it is safe to drink tea while taking levothyroxine.
I'm taking levothyroxine 25mcg. I have a little sore throat. Is it safe to drink a herbal tea called Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat? It has licorice root, slippery elm bark, marshmallow, wild cherry bark, and cinnamon bark. Is it safe?
Sep 19, 2022- Tea can significantly reduce how much levothyroxine your body absorbs, potentially making the medication less effective. You should take levothyroxine on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before drinking tea, or wait at least 4 hours after drinking tea to take your medication. Always take levothyroxine with a full glass of water and avoid lying down for 30 minutes after taking it.
Answer
It is not recommended to drink tea at the same time as taking levothyroxine (brand name Synthroid).
Multiple studies show that tea (and other drinks such as coffee) can significantly alter the absorption levels of levothyroxine. This could potentially decrease the effectiveness of the medication and potentially cause therapeutic failure and symptoms of hypothyroidism, which include:
- Dry skin
- Lethargy
- Feeling of cold
- Hair loss
One study noted that absorption of levothyroxine is decreased on average by 33% when taken at the same time as coffee or tea.
According to the prescribing information for Synthroid, it should be taken as follows:
"Administer Synthroid [levothyroxine] as a single daily dose, on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast."
All levothyroxine products should be taken with a full glass of water and you should not lie down for 30 minutes after taking your dose, to prevent irritation to the esophagus.
If you wish to drink the tea, be sure to either:
- Take levothyroxine at least 30 minutes before drinking the tea
- Take levothyroxine at least 4 hours after drinking the tea
Final Words
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References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Levothyroxine
- A synthetic thyroid hormone medication used to treat an underactive thyroid gland.
- Absorption
- The process by which a medication enters the bloodstream and is taken up by the body.
- Therapeutic failure
- When a medication fails to produce the intended healing or beneficial effect.
- Hypothyroidism
- A condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone, causing the body's metabolism to slow down.
- Lethargy
- A state of extreme tiredness and lack of energy.
- Esophagus
- The tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth down to the stomach.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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