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For many of us, the day doesn’t begin until we drink our first cup of joe coffeeIt is relaxing, refreshing and one of the most consumed beverages in the world. But while your morning brew may feel harmless, it may react with some medications in a way that reduces their effectiveness — or increases the risk of side effects.
From common cold pills to antidepressant, caffeineIts effect on the body is much more than a quick energy boost. Also included in tea caffeine but not in the same concentration coffeeAnd doesn’t impact people in the same way.
Here’s what you need to know about how coffee may interfere with your medications — and how to stay safe.
1. Cold and flu medicines
Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it speeds up the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in cold and flu remedies like Sudafed, is also a stimulant. When taken together, the effects may increase – potentially causing nervousness or restlessness, headache, fast heart rate, and insomnia.
Many cold medicines already contain added caffeine, which further increases these risks. Some studies also show that combining caffeine with pseudoephedrine may increase blood sugar and body temperature, which is especially important for people with diabetes.
Stimulant effects are also a concern when combining caffeine with ADHD medications such as amphetamines, or asthma medications such as theophylline, which share a similar chemical structure to caffeine. Using them together may increase the risk of side effects such as rapid heartbeat and sleep disturbances.
2. Thyroid medicine
Levothyroxine, the standard treatment for underactive thyroid, is highly time-sensitive – and your morning coffee can get in the way. Studies show that drinking coffee immediately after taking levothyroxine can reduce its absorption by up to 50 percent.
Caffeine speeds up intestinal motility (the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract), making the drug take less time to be absorbed — and it can also bind in the stomach, making it harder for the body to take it. These effects reduce the bioavailability of the drug, meaning less of it gets into your bloodstream where it is needed. This interaction is more common with tablet forms of levothyroxine, and less likely with liquid formulations.
If absorption is impaired, symptoms of hypothyroidism – including fatigue, weight gain and constipation – may return, even if you are taking your Medicine in the right manner.
The same timing rule applies to a class of osteoporosis medications called bisphosphonates, which also includes alendronate and risedronate, which require taking it on an empty stomach and about 30–60 minutes before taking food or drinks.
3. Antidepressants and antipsychotics
The interactions between caffeine and mental health medications may be more complex.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline and citalopram, are a type of antidepressant drug widely used to treat depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. Lab studies show that caffeine can bind with these medications in the stomach, reducing absorption and potentially making them less effective.
tricyclic antidepressant (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and imipramine, are a class of older antidepressants that work by affecting neurotransmitter levels in the brain. They were among the first antidepressants developed and are less used today than newer antidepressants such as SSRIs, because they are likely to have more side effects and a higher risk of overdose.
About the author
Deepa Kamdar is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University.
This article is republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons license. read the original article,
TCAs are broken down by the liver enzyme CYP1A2, which also metabolizes caffeine. Competition between the two can slow the breakdown of the drug, increase side effects, or delay caffeine withdrawal, leaving you feeling jittery or stressed for longer than usual.
Clozapine, an antipsychotic, is also processed by CYP1A2. One study showed that drinking two to three cups of coffee could increase clozapine levels in the blood by 97%, potentially increasing the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, or more serious complications.
4. Pain reliever
something over-the-counter pain relieversuch as containing aspirin Or hangover cureInclude added caffeine. Coffee may speed the absorption of these medications by speeding up stomach emptying and making the stomach more acidic, which improves the absorption of some medications, e.g. aspirin,
While this may help pain reliever Work faster, it may also increase the risk of side effects such as stomach irritation or bleeding, especially when combined with other sources of caffeine. Although no serious cases have been reported, caution is still advised.
5. Heart medicines
Caffeine can temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate, usually lasting three to four hours after consumption.
For people taking blood pressure medications or medications to control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), it may counteract the intended effects of the medication.
This doesn’t mean that people with heart disease should avoid coffee altogether — but they should monitor how it affects their symptoms, and consider limiting intake or switching to decaffeinated coffee if necessary.
What can you do?
Coffee may be part of your daily routine, but it is also a powerful chemical compound that can affect your body’s processes. MedicineHere’s how to make sure it doesn’t interfere.
Take levothyroxine or bisphosphonates with water on an empty stomach and wait 30–60 minutes before drinking coffee or having breakfast.
Be careful with cold and flu remedies, asthma treatments, and ADHD medications, as caffeine can increase side effects.
If you are taking antidepressants, antipsychotics, or blood pressure medications, discuss your caffeine habits with your doctor.
If you experience side effects such as restlessness, insomnia, or heart palpitations, consider reducing intake or choosing a decaffeinated option.
Everyone metabolizes caffeine differently – some people feel fine after three cups, while others have side effects after just one cup. Pay attention to how your body reacts and talk to your pharmacist or GP if anything seems bad.
If you are ever unsure whether your medicine and your coffee are suitable, ask your pharmacist or doctor. A short conversation can save you weeks of side effects or reduced effectiveness of treatment – and help you enjoy your wine with peace of mind.