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Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Wu Long Tea. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Wu Long Tea. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
LIKELY SAFE ...when consumed as a beverage in moderate amounts (12518,104785). Oolong tea contains caffeine. According to a review by Health Canada, and a subsequent large meta-analysis conducted in the US, drinking up to 4 cups of tea daily, or approximately 400 mg of caffeine, is not associated with significant adverse cardiovascular, bone, behavioral, or reproductive effects in healthy adults (11733,98806). The US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee states that there is strong and consistent evidence that consumption of caffeine 400 mg daily is not associated with increased risk of major chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease or cancer, in healthy adults (98806).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when consumed as a beverage in large quantities. Oolong tea contains a significant amount of caffeine. Chronic use, especially in large amounts, can produce tolerance, habituation, psychological dependence, and other significant adverse effects. Doses of caffeine greater than 600 mg per day, or approximately 4 cups of tea, have been associated with significant adverse effects such as tachyarrhythmias and sleep disturbances (11832). These effects would not be expected to occur with the consumption of decaffeinated oolong tea.
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used in amounts commonly found in foods and beverages (11833).
PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally in moderate amounts.
Due to the caffeine content of oolong tea, mothers should closely monitor their intake to ensure moderate consumption. Fetal blood concentrations of caffeine approximate maternal concentrations (4260). Use of caffeine in pregnancy is controversial; however, moderate consumption has not been associated with clinically important adverse fetal effects (2708,2709,2710,2711,9606,16014). In some studies, consuming amounts over 200 mg daily is associated with a significantly increased risk of miscarriage (16014). This increased risk may be most likely to occur in those with genotypes that confer a slow rate of caffeine metabolism (98806). According to a review by Health Canada, and a subsequent large meta-analysis conducted in the US, most healthy adults can safely consume doses up to 300 mg daily during pregnancy without an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm birth, fetal growth retardation, or congenital malformations (11733,98806). Advise keeping caffeine consumption below 300 mg daily during pregnancy. This is similar to the amount of caffeine found in about 3 cups of tea. There is also some evidence to suggest that a component found in oolong tea may inhibit folate metabolism and decrease folic acid concentrations during pregnancy. Folic acid levels should be monitored closely (94078).
PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in large amounts.
Caffeine from oolong tea crosses the placenta, producing fetal blood concentrations similar to maternal levels (4260). Consumption of caffeine in amounts over 300 mg daily is associated with a significantly increased risk of miscarriage in some studies (16014,98806). Advise keeping caffeine consumption from all sources below 300 mg daily during pregnancy. This is similar to the amount of caffeine in about 3 cups of tea. High maternal doses of caffeine throughout pregnancy have resulted in symptoms of caffeine withdrawal in newborn infants (9891). High doses of caffeine have also been associated with spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, and low birth weight (2709,2711).
LACTATION: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally in moderate amounts.
Due to the caffeine content of oolong tea, caffeine intake should be closely monitored. Breast milk concentrations of caffeine are thought to be approximately 50% of maternal serum concentrations.
LACTATION: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in large amounts.
Consumption of oolong tea might cause irritability and increased bowel activity in nursing infants (6026). Large doses or excessive intake of oolong tea should be avoided during lactation.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Wu Long Tea. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Theoretically, oolong tea might decrease the vasodilatory effects of adenosine and interfere with its use prior to stress testing.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine is a competitive inhibitor of adenosine at the cellular level. However, caffeine does not seem to affect supplemental adenosine because high interstitial levels of adenosine overcome the antagonistic effects of caffeine (11771). It is recommended that methylxanthines such as caffeine, as well as methylxanthine-containing products, be stopped 24 hours prior to pharmacological stress tests (11770). However, methylxanthines appear more likely to interfere with dipyridamole (Persantine) than adenosine-induced stress testing (11771).
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Theoretically, alcohol might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Concomitant use of alcohol and caffeine can increase caffeine serum concentrations and the risk of caffeine adverse effects. Alcohol reduces caffeine metabolism (6370).
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Theoretically, oolong tea might increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
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Theoretically, taking oolong tea with antidiabetes drugs might interfere with blood glucose control.
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Theoretically, large amounts of oolong tea might increase the cardiac inotropic effects of beta-agonists.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can increase cardiac inotropic effects of beta-agonists (15).
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the effects and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Cimetidine can reduce the rate of caffeine clearance by 30% to 50% (11736).
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Theoretically, oolong tea might increase the levels and adverse effects of clozapine and acutely exacerbate psychotic symptoms.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can increase the effects and toxicity of clozapine. Caffeine doses of 400-1000 mg per day inhibit clozapine metabolism (5051). Clozapine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2). Researchers speculate that caffeine might inhibit CYP1A2. However, there is no reliable evidence that caffeine affects CYP1A2. There is also speculation that genetic factors might make some patients be more sensitive to the interaction between clozapine and caffeine (13741).
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the effects and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the levels and adverse effects of the caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) (3941,5051,11741,23557,23573,23580,24958,24959,24960,24962), (24964,24965,24967,24968,24969,24971,38081,48603). Theoretically, drugs that inhibit CYP1A2 may decrease the clearance rate of caffeine from oolong tea and increase caffeine levels.
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Theoretically, oolong tea might decrease the vasodilatory effects of dipyridamole and interfere with its use prior to stress testing.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine is a methylxanthine that may inhibit dipyridamole-induced vasodilation (11770,11772). It is recommended that methylxanthines such as caffeine, as well as methylxanthine-containing products such as oolong tea, be stopped 24 hours prior to pharmacological stress tests (11770). Methylxanthines appear more likely to interfere with dipyridamole than adenosine-induced stress testing (11771).
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Theoretically, disulfiram might increase the risk of adverse effects from caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Disulfiram decreases the clearance and increases the half-life of caffeine (15).
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Theoretically, using oolong tea with diuretic drugs might increase the risk of hypokalemia.
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk for stimulant adverse effects.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. There is evidence that using ephedrine with caffeine might increase the risk of serious life-threatening or debilitating adverse effects such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, seizures, and death (1275,6486,10307). Tell patients to avoid taking caffeine with ephedrine and other stimulants.
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Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Estrogen inhibits caffeine metabolism (2714).
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Theoretically, fluconazole might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Fluconazole decreases caffeine clearance by approximately 25% (11022).
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Theoretically, oolong tea might increase the levels and adverse effects of flutamide.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. In vitro evidence suggests that caffeine can inhibit the metabolism of flutamide (23553).
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Theoretically, fluvoxamine might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Fluvoxamine reduces caffeine metabolism (6370).
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Theoretically, abrupt oolong tea withdrawal might increase the levels and adverse effects of lithium.
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Theoretically, methoxsalen might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Methoxsalen can reduce caffeine metabolism (23572).
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Theoretically, mexiletine might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of a hypertensive crisis.
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of hypertension.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Concomitant use of caffeine and nicotine has been shown to have additive cardiovascular effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure. Blood pressure was increased by 10.8/12.4 mmHg when the agents were used concomitantly (36549).
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Theoretically, caffeine in oolong tea might decrease the effects of pentobarbital.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in oolong tea might negate the hypnotic effects of pentobarbital (13742).
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Theoretically, oolong tea might reduce the effects of phenobarbital and increase the risk for convulsions.
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Theoretically, phenothiazines might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Theoretically, phenylpropanolamine might increase the risk of hypertension, as well as the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Theoretically, oolong tea might reduce the effects of phenytoin and increase the risk for convulsions.
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Theoretically, quinolone antibiotics might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the levels and adverse effects of both caffeine and riluzole.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine and riluzole are both metabolized by cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), and concomitant use might reduce metabolism of one or both agents (11739).
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase stimulant adverse effects.
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Theoretically, terbinafine might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Terbinafine decreases the clearance of intravenous caffeine by 19% (11740).
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Theoretically, oolong tea might increase the levels and adverse effects of theophylline.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine decreases theophylline clearance 23% to 29% (11741).
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Theoretically, oolong tea might increase the levels and adverse effects of tiagabine.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Animal research suggests that chronic caffeine administration can increase the serum concentrations of tiagabine. However, concomitant use does not seem to reduce the antiepileptic effects of tiagabine (23561).
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Theoretically, ticlopidine might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. In vitro evidence suggests that ticlopidine can inhibit caffeine metabolism (23557). However, this effect has not been reported in humans.
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Theoretically, oolong tea might reduce the effects of valproate and increase the risk for convulsions.
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Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine in oolong tea.
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Oolong tea contains caffeine. Verapamil increases plasma caffeine concentrations by 25% (11741).
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Wu Long Tea. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Orally, oolong tea is well tolerated when consumed as a beverage in moderate amounts.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Many of the adverse effects of oolong tea can be attributed to its caffeine content, such as insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, tachycardia, tachypnea, and tremors.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Many of the serious adverse effects of oolong tea can be attributed to its caffeine content, such as arrhythmia, chest pain, convulsions, delirium, premature heartbeat, and respiratory alkalosis.
Cardiovascular
...Orally, oolong tea can cause some cardiovascular-related adverse effects.
Some of these effects may be due to the caffeine content of oolong tea. Acute oral administration of caffeine can cause increased blood pressure, but regular consumption does not seem to increase either blood pressure or pulse, even in mildly hypertensive patients (1451,1452,2722). Also, epidemiological research has found there is no association of caffeine consumption with incidence of hypertension (13739).
Due to its caffeine content, oolong tea may cause other adverse cardiovascular effects when used orally. These effects include tachycardia, tachypnea, chest pain, premature heartbeat, arrhythmia, and hypertension (11832,11838,13735). Large doses of caffeine can cause massive catecholamine release and subsequent sinus tachycardia (13734).
Epidemiological research has found that regular caffeine intake of up to 400 mg per day, or approximately 4 cups of tea, is not associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (38018,38076,91028,91034,97451,97453), atherosclerosis (38033), cardiac ectopy (91127), stroke (37804), ventricular arrhythmia (95948,97453), and cardiovascular disease in general (37805,98806).
Combining ephedra with caffeine can increase the risk of adverse effects. Jitteriness, hypertension, seizures, temporary loss of consciousness, and hospitalization requiring life support has been associated with the combined use of ephedra and caffeine (2729). There is also a report of ischemic stroke in an athlete who consumed ephedra 40-60 mg, creatine monohydrate 6 grams, caffeine 400-600 mg, and a variety of other supplements daily for six weeks (1275).
Endocrine ...Oolong tea contains caffeine. Large doses of caffeine can cause massive catecholamine release and subsequent metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia, and ketosis (13734). Some evidence has found that caffeine is associated with fibrocystic breast disease, breast cancer, and endometriosis in women; however, this is controversial since findings are conflicting (8043). Restricting caffeine in women with fibrocystic breast conditions doesn't seem to affect breast nodularity, swelling, or pain (8996). In infants tea may cause microcytic anemia (631).
Gastrointestinal ...The caffeine in oolong tea may cause feeding intolerance and gastrointestinal irritation in infants (6023).
Immunologic ...Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can cause anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals, although true IgE-mediated caffeine allergy seems to be relatively rare (11315).
Musculoskeletal
...Oolong tea contains caffeine.
Some epidemiological research has found that caffeine may be associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, but conflicting evidence exists. Caffeine can increase urinary excretion of calcium (2669,10202,11317). Women identified with a genetic variant of the vitamin D receptor appear to be at an increased risk for the detrimental effect of caffeine on bone mass (2669). However, moderate caffeine intake of less than 400 mg per day, or about 4 cups of tea, does not seem to significantly increase osteoporosis risk in most postmenopausal women with normal calcium intake (2669,6025,10202,11317,98806).
Some researchers believe that stopping regular use of caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms such as muscle tension and muscle pains. However, these symptoms may be from nonpharmacological factors related to knowledge and expectation of effects (2723,11839).
Neurologic/CNS
...Oolong tea contains caffeine.
Orally, caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, headache, anxiety, agitation, jitteriness, restlessness, ringing in the ears, tremors, delirium, and convulsions (10755,11832,11838,13735). Caffeine may also exacerbate sleep disturbances in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (10204).
There is some concern that stopping regular use of caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms such as headache, tiredness and fatigue, decreased energy, alertness, and attentiveness, drowsiness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, and irritability (13738). Other symptoms such as delirium, nervousness, restlessness, and anxiety have been described. However, these symptoms may be from nonpharmacological factors related to knowledge and expectation of effects (2723,11839).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Oolong tea contains caffeine. Caffeine may cause tachypnea-induced respiratory alkalosis (11832,11838,13735). Some researchers think that stopping regular use of caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms such as runny nose. However, this symptom may be from nonpharmacological factors related to knowledge and expectation of effects (2723,11839)