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For most people, coffee is an important part of their morning routine. However, taking certain medications with coffee may cause side effects and serious complications, including high blood pressure and uncontrolled bleeding.
Pharmacists have revealed to Daily Mail Australia the most commonly used medicines that may interact with coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants have many side effects and can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure if taken with coffee. This is especially true for older types of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which prevent the body from metabolizing caffeine properly.
There are no known interactions between caffeine and newer antidepressants such as Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac.
Medications for colds and allergies
Over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines often contain the stimulant pseudoephedrine, which constricts blood vessels in the nose, thereby reducing swelling and congestion.
However, pseudoephedrine stimulates cells in the brain that are responsible for responding and preparing us to flee when threatened. Drinking coffee with such drugs can make these symptoms worse and make us nervous and anxious.
Diabetes medications
Although insulin does not interact directly with caffeine, drinking it with coffee is not a good idea. That is, blood sugar will rise after drinking coffee, which will reduce the effectiveness of the medication. According to the American Diabetes Association, drinking any caffeinated beverage will increase insulin and blood sugar levels.
antibiotic
Antibiotics can inhibit the metabolism of caffeine, causing increased levels of caffeine in the blood. This is especially true for ciprofloxacin, which is commonly used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract and bladder infections, infectious diarrhea, and sinus infections. Taking this medication with coffee can cause an increased heart rate and feelings of nervousness.
Blood-thinning medications
Caffeine can prevent the breakdown of blood thinners. This is particularly dangerous because an overdose of the medication can cause excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries like paper cuts.
Drugs for treating blood pressure
Beta blockers reduce heart rate, and if we drink coffee or caffeinated beverages, heart rate increases and ultimately blood pressure rises. Therefore, caffeine does not directly interact with the drug, but it inhibits its effectiveness.
Thyroid medications
A 2020 study found that your body absorbs less hypothyroidism medication when you take it with any type of food or water. Specifically, if you take medication with caffeine, absorption can be reduced by up to 50%.
Drugs for Alzheimer’s disease
Drugs that treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, are called cholinesterase inhibitors and prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps with memory formation and thinking.
However, taking these drugs with coffee can tighten the blood-brain barrier, making it difficult for the drugs to reach the brain.
Osteoporosis medications
Similar to thyroid medications, taking these medications with coffee may prevent your body from absorbing them properly, thus reducing their effectiveness.
Drugs for asthma
Mixing bronchodilators such as aminophylline and theophylline with coffee may intensify the medication’s side effects, such as irritability and restlessness.
Medications for ADHD
ADHD medications help regulate neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, to improve focus, attention, and impulse control. However, when taken with coffee, these medications are less effective and may lead to increased hyperactivity.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are commonly used to treat serious illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They work by regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin to relieve symptoms like hallucinations. Coffee reduces the amount of medication the body absorbs, so people experiencing a manic episode should avoid hot drinks altogether.
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