10 medications that may interact with coffee

The final verdict is that coffee is very good for your health. However, there are countless people taking the drug and that combination can be very worrying from a medical standpoint.

On a positive note, coffee contains caffeine, a performance-enhancing stimulant that increases alertness. Studies even show it reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The antioxidants in coffee may also reduce inflammation and have a liver-protective effect.

The caffeine in coffee can lift your mood and the beverage has a laxative effect. It may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and depression, as well as aid in weight control. Three cups of coffee a day is the recommended amount.

However, there is reason to be cautious if you take any medications that may interact adversely with coffee. Here are 10 medications that can cause problems if you take them while drinking coffee:

Thyroid medication

People with a history of thyroid disease may be treated with replacement thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine. Studies show that coffee can reduce the absorption of thyroid medications by more than 50%, making them less effective.

Diabetes medication

Mixing coffee with sugar or milk can cause blood sugar levels to spike, affecting how well diabetes medications work. Anything that contains caffeine can increase your insulin and blood sugar levels.

Allergy/cold medicine

Medications for colds or allergies often contain nervous system stimulants such as pseudoephedrine. Taking coffee allergy medications (also a stimulant) may increase symptoms such as restlessness and insomnia. Some allergy medications, such as fexofenadineShould not be taken with coffee because it can overstimulate the central nervous system, increasing symptoms of restlessness.

Melatonin

Melatonin, which causes drowsiness, is often used as a sleep aid. Coffee is a stimulant. When the two are eaten together, they can cancel out the effects of both.

Osteoporosis medication

Osteoporosis makes your bones thin and brittle. This disease is most common in women, especially after menopause. Medicines like Risedronate or abandoned Prevent and treat osteoporosis and should not be taken at the same time as coffee because it will make the medicine less effective. You should take these medications before eating or drinking anything and only with water.

Blood pressure medication

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of Americans are living with high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is a common disease but progresses silently, rarely showing symptoms.

Many people take blood pressure medications, such as verapamil or propranolol, works by slowing your heart rate. However, drinking coffee at the same time as taking blood pressure medication such as felodipine, which may cause less of the drug to be absorbed into your body. You may not get the full benefit of the drug.

Antidepressants

According to the CDC, one in 10 teens and adults take antidepressants daily. They are the most prescribed medication for adults in their 20s and 30s, and their use has increased dramatically over the past few decades. They can help treat depression, a mood disorder that affects how you feel and function.

Coffee can affect how your body uses antidepressants. Some medications such as fluvoxamine, Amitriptyline, escitalopramAnd imipramine may be metabolized differently if you drink coffee at the same time, especially drinking large amounts of coffee. Coffee may decrease the amount of medicine absorbed by your body. Studies show that fluvoxamine in particular has been shown to enhance the usual side effects of caffeine. This can cause symptoms such as insomnia and heart palpitations. Avoid taking medication with coffee.

Medicine for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and primarily affects people over 65 years of age. This is a brain disorder that leads to loss of cognitive function, making it difficult to think, remember, or do daily activities. mission. Millions of Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and must take medication to treat the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease medications, such as donepezil And rivastigmine affected by caffeine. The caffeine in coffee tightens the blood-brain barrier and can reduce the amount of medication that gets into your brain. Alzheimer’s drugs work by protecting acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Drinking too much coffee has been shown to reduce that protective effect.

Asthma medication

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your lungs, causing your airways to become inflamed and irritated. This leads to difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Millions of Americans, both adults and children, live with asthma and take medication to treat it.

Many people with asthma take bronchodilators during flare-ups, e.g aminophylline or theophylline. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the airways, but they have side effects such as restlessness, stomach upset, and irritability. Drinking coffee or other drinks high in caffeine may increase your risk of these side effects. Coffee may also decrease the amount of medication absorbed by your body.

Antipsychotic drugs

Antipsychotics are helpful for people with mania, major depressive disorder, and other mental health conditions. Nearly four million Americans use these drugs each year. Antipsychotics work by inhibiting certain neurotransmitters or blocking receptors in the brain.

Medications to treat mental disorders include phenothiazine, clozapine, haloperidolAnd olanzapine, and others. Coffee may decrease the absorption of these drugs more than usual if you wait a while to have your morning cup of coffee. Studies show that many of these drugs are broken down differently by the body in the presence of coffee.

Doctor’s note

During your next doctor’s visit, discuss all medications and supplements in your diet for possible interactions with any substance you ingest, not just coffee. . Do not change any of your medications in any way without talking to your doctor first.

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