7 Medications That Don't Mix Well With Coffee, According to a Pharmacist
Coffee may affect how a medication is absorbed, metabolized or removed from the body.
An expert shares the seven drugs, like asthma and cold medications, that interact with coffee.For the majority of people, coffee is part of their daily routine. It provides the energy boost you need to kick-start your day (hello, caffeine!), and boasts potential health benefits as well. The only drawback to your morning cup of joe is that it may not mix well with certain medications, especially if you take them earlier in the day.
There are many different ways coffee may interact with some medications. 'Coffee can alter how certain medications are absorbed, metabolized or eliminated by the body,' says Jennifer Bourgeois, Pharm.D. 'It can speed up gastric emptying, causing the medication to move through your system before it's fully absorbed. It also competes with medications that rely on liver enzymes like CYP1A2, potentially increasing or decreasing drug levels in the bloodstream.'
Don't worry, this doesn't mean you have to give up coffee completely, but you may need to adjust the timing of taking your medications and sipping on your coffee. Read on to find out which medications an expert warns may interact with your morning cup of joe.
If your doctor has prescribed an antidepressant, you'll want to make sure you aren't drinking coffee too soon after taking one of these medications because it can make them not work as well as they're supposed to. For example, the caffeine in coffee can form a complex with the antidepressant drug escitalopram (Lexapro), making it harder for your body to absorb the medication. Since less of the drug is absorbed, it may be less effective.
Other antidepressants like clomipramine and imipramine are broken down by the same enzyme (called CYP1A2) as caffeine. So if you're taking these medications with coffee, they may not be metabolized as quickly, which can lead to higher levels of the drug in your blood for a longer period. On the other hand, this interaction could increase the effects of caffeine, leaving you feeling jittery and restless.
Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid (a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck) doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. Without adequate hormone levels, you may start to experience excessive tiredness, joint and muscle pain, depression or weight gain.
Bourgeois explains that the absorption of levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism, can be significantly reduced by coffee. In fact, some studies found that it reduces your absorption of the medication by as much as 50%. 'This may lead to inconsistent thyroid levels and persistent symptoms like fatigue or brain fog,' says Bourgeois. 'That's why patients are advised to wait 30 to 60 minutes before drinking coffee after taking thyroid medications.'
Medications used to treat osteoporosis, like risedronate and alendronate, shouldn't be taken with coffee. 'Whether it's caffeinated, decaf or even just milk or juice, these can all reduce absorption due to how the medication binds and dissolves. The safest practice is always to take this medication with plain water only,' says Bourgeois.,
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a nasal decongestant that can be purchased over the counter to help treat a stuffy nose from the common cold or allergies. Like caffeine, pseudoephedrine is also a stimulant. So when taken together with coffee, it may compound the side effects, making you feel more jittery and restless. Those with diabetes should be extra cautious when consuming caffeine on this medication—some studies found that combining the two can raise blood sugar and increase body temperature.
People who take antipsychotic medications like phenothiazine, clozapine, haloperidol or olanzapine may need to adjust the timing of their morning coffee. Coffee can interfere with your body's ability to metabolize these medications.
For example, clozapine competes with coffee to be broken down by liver enzymes. If the medication can't be metabolized, it becomes less efficient. A study found that the plasma concentration of clozapine was increased by 97% after taking it with 2 to 3 cups of coffee (about 400 milligrams of caffeine).
If you have asthma, a condition that can make your airways inflamed and irritated, your health care provider may prescribe a bronchodilator like aminophylline or theophylline. These medications relax the muscles in your airways, making it easier to breathe. Common side effects of this medication include nausea, headache, restlessness and irritability. Consuming too much caffeine (from coffee, tea or energy drinks) can increase the side effects you may experience while taking this medication.,
Blood-thinning medications are often recommended for those who may be at risk for blood clots after surgery or have certain heart or blood conditions. Since these medications prevent blood from clotting, the most common side effect is the risk of bleeding. Taking these medications with coffee is risky since the caffeine in coffee can also slow blood clotting, which further increases your risk of bleeding or bruising.
In addition, research has found that coffee can lower the pH in your stomach, which can increase the absorption time of other blood thinners like aspirin. Since it's absorbed faster, more is available to the body all at once, which can enhance the potential for bleeding.
Many of us look forward to sipping on that first cup of coffee in the morning. While coffee is associated with plenty of health benefits, it's worth double-checking that it isn't interfering with any of your medications. Reviewing this list is a good place to start. If you're on one of these medications, you may need to adjust the timing of your coffee and medications. However, if you have specific questions about potential food or beverage interactions with your medications, be sure to check in with your health care provider.
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