Based on FDA | Does drinking green tea interact with amlodipine or affect its blood pressure lowering effect?

Overview

Based on available official prescribing information and clinical data, green tea is not known to meaningfully interact with amlodipine or reduce its blood‑pressure‑lowering effect. Amlodipine exposure is not significantly affected by grapefruit juice (a classic CYP3A4 inhibitor), and routine food–drug interactions listed for amlodipine do not include green tea. ^{[1] [2] [3]} That said, green tea can modestly lower blood pressure on its own, and high‑dose green tea extracts may affect certain drug‑metabolizing pathways, so a balanced, moderate intake is generally considered reasonable. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

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What official amlodipine information says

• Amlodipine’s label notes that coadministered grapefruit juice does not change amlodipine exposure, and common antacids and sildenafil also show no impact; green tea is not listed as a concern. ^[1] The same language appears across multiple label summaries, reinforcing that no clinically relevant dietary interaction (including grapefruit juice) is expected with amlodipine. ^{[2] [3]}
• Clinically relevant interactions do occur with strong CYP3A inhibitors like certain antifungals or macrolides, which can raise amlodipine levels, but this does not extend to everyday beverages like green tea per labeling. ^{[7] [8]}

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What is known about green tea itself

• Green and black tea have shown modest favorable effects on blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in randomized trials, but the magnitude is small (often a few mmHg), and study quality is mixed. ^[4] Green tea specifically has been associated with small reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in some analyses. ^[4]
• EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a main catechin in green tea, has been linked to mild reductions in diastolic blood pressure in a human trial and antihypertensive effects in certain green tea cultivars via ACE inhibition. ^{[6] [5]}

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Could green tea alter amlodipine levels?

• Amlodipine is metabolized by CYP3A4, and its label highlights sensitivity to strong CYP3A inhibitors; however, routine dietary components like grapefruit juice do not change amlodipine exposure, and green tea is not cited as affecting amlodipine pharmacokinetics. ^{[1] [7]}
• Some laboratory and supplement‑focused resources have reported that concentrated green tea extracts can inhibit CYP3A4 and transporters (e.g., OATP1A2) in vitro or in animal models, which can alter other drugs’ absorption or metabolism; these findings have not been shown to change amlodipine exposure in humans. ^{[9] [10]}

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Practical guidance for combining green tea and amlodipine

• For most people, moderate green tea intake (e.g., 1–3 cups per day) is unlikely to interfere with amlodipine or blunt its blood‑pressure effect, and may contribute a small additional BP benefit. ^[4]
• If you use high‑dose green tea extracts (capsules or concentrated powders), caution is sensible because supplements can deliver far higher EGCG than brewed tea and have occasionally affected drug pathways; this has not been proven to impact amlodipine, but prudence is reasonable. ^[9]
• Caffeine in green tea can transiently raise blood pressure in caffeine‑naïve individuals, though tolerance develops and EGCG may counter some stimulatory effects; overall, brewed green tea typically has modest caffeine compared to coffee. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

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Safety notes

• Routine brewed green tea is generally safe alongside antihypertensives, including amlodipine, under normal dietary amounts. ^[3]
• High doses of green tea extract (particularly 800 mg EGCG/day) have been linked with liver enzyme elevations in clinical data, whereas 200 mg twice daily over a year appeared safe; keep supplement doses moderate and avoid fasting intake if using extracts. ^[14]
• If you notice dizziness, unusual swelling, or a sudden change in blood pressure after starting a new supplement, discuss with your clinician and consider checking home BP trends.

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Bottom line

• Current prescribing information and clinical evidence suggest no established, clinically significant interaction between brewed green tea and amlodipine, and moderate green tea consumption does not appear to reduce amlodipine’s effectiveness. ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Green tea may provide small, additional blood pressure benefits, while high‑dose extracts can affect drug‑metabolizing enzymes in theory; stick to moderate intake and consult your clinician if using concentrated supplements. ^{[4] [9]}

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Quick comparison table

Topic	Brewed Green Tea	Green Tea Extract (High‑Dose)
Amlodipine PK interaction	Not reported; grapefruit juice shows no impact and green tea not listed as a concern. [1] [2]	In vitro reports of CYP3A4/transport modulation exist; not proven to affect amlodipine in humans. [9]
Blood pressure effect	Small reductions in BP possible; individual results vary. [4]	Variable; EGCG can lower DBP modestly, but dose and safety matter. [6] [14]
Safety considerations	Generally safe in moderation. [3]	Potential for liver enzyme elevations at high doses; use caution. [14]

Would you like help estimating a safe, practical daily amount of green tea for your routine while on amlodipine?