Does Green Tea Affect Lovenox Shots?

Also known by its generic name enoxaparin, Lovenox is a medication delivered via injection that helps reduce the likelihood you will experience a blood clot. It can also be used to minimize an existing blood clot. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as blood thinners, which can have some surprising drug interactions. While you may think to tell your physician about the medications you take, don’t neglect the herbal supplements and teas you drink -- including green tea.

Medication Breakdown

Your physician prescribes Lovenox based on a very specific rate at which the medicine is released into your bloodstream. This ensures your blood can become thinner, but not too thin. Your liver is responsible for breaking down the medication and, ultimately, allowing it to enter your bloodstream. However, your liver also breaks down other substances, such as medications you take and herbal teas you drink, like green tea.

Considerations

When you are taking Lovenox injections, note that green tea is one of the drinks listed under “caution advised” by the medication’s monograph. This means that green tea -- consumed in small amounts -- may not cause serious side effects. However, always notify your physician concerning the amount of green tea you drink. She also may be able to adjust your dosage based on your daily green tea consumption, if you utilize green tea for therapeutic purposes.

Green Tea Plus Lovenox

Green tea can have natural blood-thinning effects and keeps blood platelets from clotting. As a result, if you combine green tea and Lovenox, you could be at an increased risk for bleeding, both internally and if you were to cut yourself. Even a minor cut can cause you to experience bleeding that can be dangerous.

Warning

When taking Lovenox shots, disclose all medications, herbal supplements and your daily diet to your physician, as Lovenox requires a very narrow window of certain vitamins and minerals in the body. For example, foods such as those that contain vitamin K can affect the way your body breaks down Lovenox shots. If you experience symptoms such as fever, confusion and nausea after consuming green tea and taking Lovenox, seek immediate medical treatment.