Latest news with #Sudafed
CNBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Josh Brown says you don't want this bull market to need rate cuts, Amazon could be undervalued
Investors are hoping that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in 2025, but Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management says that a cut shouldn't be on Wall Street's radar. "A rate cut doesn't matter," the firm's CEO said on CNBC's " Halftime Report " on Thursday. "Nobody should be baking in any specific number of rate cuts as a means to say stocks, therefore, are 8% to 10% undervalued. That should not be the bull case – that we're going to get accommodative policy because the employment situation is going to start to suck. The logic is completely backwards." Minutes from the Fed's June meeting released Wednesday revealed that most central bank officials believe "some reduction" in its target range of 4.25%-4.5% this year "would likely be appropriate." However, they differed on the exact number of cuts. Fed funds futures trading is currently forecasting two quarter-percentage-point cuts this year, with a more than 70% chance of the first cut coming at the end of the Fed's September meeting, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool . "Rates are probably too high," Brown added. "Are they 200 basis points over where they should be? No, I don't think anybody would say that. And you didn't need rate cuts this entire rally, so what are you begging for a Sudafed for. I don't understand it." The Street should instead be paying attention to capital expenditures, which Brown noted is what's driving earnings growth and the recent momentum in the "Magnificent Seven" names like Nvidia . The chipmaker recently became the first company to hit $4 trillion in market cap . Its shares have soared more than 52% in the last three months, propelled by the artificial intelligence boom. AMZN 3M mountain AMZN, 3-month Among the megacap tech stocks, Amazon – which has risen almost 23% over the past three months – might actually be undervalued when thinking about its performance in five- to 10-year increments, Brown said. It's "not getting enough credit for how important AWS is going to be for the remainder of the AI decade," he said. DISCLOSURES: All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. INVESTING INVOLVES RISK. EXAMPLES OF ANALYSIS CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE ONLY EXAMPLES. THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF RITHOLTZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC. JOSH BROWN IS THE CEO OF RITHOLTZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND MAY MAINTAIN A SECURITY POSITION IN THE SECURITIES DISCUSSED. ASSUMPTIONS MADE WITHIN THE ANALYSIS ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF THE POSITION OF RITHOLTZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC" TO THE END OF OR OUR DISCLOSURE. Click here for the full disclaimer.
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The 5 medications that could see you JAILED if you take them on holiday this summer – including hay fever pills
Popular allergy treatments like Vicks inhalers are banned and could get you arrested at the airport BITTER PILL The 5 medications that could see you JAILED if you take them on holiday this summer – including hay fever pills Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF you're heading abroad this summer, packing some preventative medicines might seem like the sensible thing to do. But be warned, some common drugs, including antihistamines and painkillers, could land you with hefty fines or even jail time in certain countries. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Many countries have strict restrictions on common UK medications - despite millions of us using them. Credit: Getty While these meds are legal to buy over the counter in the UK, they're banned or tightly restricted in several countries. And being caught with them, even by accident, can mean your dream holiday turns into a nightmare. Here's what to watch out for: 1. Antihistamines Hay fever sufferers, take note. Japan has some of the strictest anti-stimulant drug laws in the world - and that includes antihistamines, the Foreign Office has previously warned. Popular allergy treatments like Vicks inhalers and Sudafed are banned and could get you arrested at the airport. Anyone caught bringing them in risks detention or deportation. 2. Codeine The opioid painkiller, codeine, is banned in over 25 countries, including several in Europe. Yet in the UK, you don't even need a prescription - codeine is available over the counter in pharmacies as co-codamol, which combines codeine with paracetamol. Even bringing small amounts of the stuff abroad to certain places can get you into serious trouble. In Hungary, it carries up to five years in jail. In Slovakia, it's three. Other risky destinations include: Austria - Up to six months in jail Belgium - Up to five years in jail Croatia - £550 to £2,250 in fines (€650 to €2,600), plus up to 90 days in jail Czechia - £510 fine (15,000 Kč) Finland - Up to six months in jail Luxembourg - £210 to £4,200 fine (€250–€5,000), plus up to six months in jail Romania - Up to two years in jail Sweden - Up to three years in jail Even in countries like Greece or Cyprus, you'll need a valid prescription to carry codeine. Always check the rules for your destination online before you travel, and speak to your GP in advance to get any necessary paperwork. 3. Sleeping pills The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a zero tolerance on an array of over-the-counter medications that are sold daily in the UK. Sleeping pills like temazepam, which are legal here, are strictly banned in the Emirates, and getting caught with them could land you behind bars. Even if you have a prescription from your GP, you'll need to apply for approval from the UAE Ministry of Health before travelling. 4. Cannabis-related products 2 It's generally recommended to avoid travelling abroad with any CBD based products Credit: Alamy Even CBD oil with zero THC is illegal in countries like Singapore, the UAE, and Japan, among others. It doesn't matter if it's for anxiety or pain, all cannabis products are banned in these regions. Getting caught with CBD at the airport could lead to arrest, detention, or even deportation. For example, in China, it is illegal to bring CBD into the country, with possession carrying a potential jail time of seven years. This is because in some places, possession is treated the same way as carrying hard drugs. It's generally not recommended to travel abroad with any CBD based products. 5. ADHD medicines Stimulants used to treat ADHD are a major red flag in some countries. In Japan, they are completely banned, even with a prescription. To bring them in legally, you'll need special clearance from the Japanese government, including medical proof - a process that takes weeks. How to check what is allowed? You can check which medications you can take in and out of the UK here. The UK government also recommends checking with the relevant embassies before travelling to make sure that you don't break any rules. You can find the full list for embassy contacts here. British prescriptions are not accepted at international pharmacies, so you'll need to take enough medicine with you for your entire trip. Ensure that you take your prescription and doctor's letter wherever you are travelling. Consider having the doctor's letter translated into your destination's language to make the journey easier. The strict rules are designed to keep travellers safe and to prevent drug tourism.
Daily Maverick
10-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Coffee can interfere with your medication – here's what you need to know
Caffeine can speed up digestion, block drug absorption and even raise your heart rate when mixed with certain medicines. For many of us, the day doesn't start until we've had our first cup of coffee. It's comforting, energising, and one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. But while your morning brew might feel harmless, it can interact with certain medicines in ways that reduce their effectiveness – or increase the risk of side effects. From common cold tablets to antidepressants, caffeine's impact on the body goes far beyond a quick energy boost. Tea also contains caffeine, but not in the same concentrations as coffee, and doesn't seem to affect people in the same way. Here's what you should know about how coffee can interfere with your medications – and how to stay safe. Cold and flu medicines Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it speeds up the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in cold and flu remedies such as Sudafed, is also a stimulant. When taken together, the effects can be amplified – potentially leading to jitters or restlessness, headaches, a fast heart rate and insomnia. Many cold medications already contain added caffeine, increasing these risks further. Some studies also suggest that combining caffeine with pseudoephedrine can raise blood sugar and body temperature – particularly important for people with diabetes. Stimulant effects are also a concern when combining caffeine with ADHD medications such as amphetamines, or with asthma drugs such as theophylline, which shares a similar chemical structure to caffeine. Using them together may increase the risk of side effects such as a rapid heartbeat and sleep disruption. Thyroid medication Levothyroxine, the standard treatment for an underactive thyroid, is highly sensitive to timing, and your morning coffee can get in the way. Studies show that drinking coffee too soon after taking levothyroxine can reduce its absorption by up to 50%. Caffeine speeds up gut motility (the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract), giving the drug less time to be absorbed – and may also bind to it in the stomach, making it harder for the body to take in. These effects reduce the drug's bioavailability, meaning less of it reaches your bloodstream where it's 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 – can return, even if you're taking your medicine correctly. The same timing rule applies to a class of osteoporosis medications called bisphosphonates, including alendronate and risedronate, which also require an empty stomach and around 30-60 minutes before food or drink is taken. Antidepressants and antipsychotics The interaction between caffeine and mental health medications can be more complex. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline and citalopram, are a type of antidepressant medication widely used to treat depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. Lab studies suggest caffeine can bind to these drugs in the stomach, reducing absorption and potentially making them less effective. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and imipramine, are a class of older antidepressants that work by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. They were among the first antidepressants developed and are less commonly used today, compared with newer antidepressants such as SSRIs, due to their potential for more side effects and higher risk of overdose. TCAs are broken down by the liver enzyme CYP1A2, which also metabolises caffeine. The competition between the two can slow drug breakdown, increasing side-effects, or delay caffeine clearance, making you feel jittery or wired longer than usual. Clozapine, an antipsychotic, is also processed by CYP1A2. One study showed that drinking two-to-three cups of coffee could increase blood levels of clozapine by up to 97%, potentially increasing risks such as drowsiness, confusion, or more serious complications. Painkillers Some over-the-counter painkillers, such as those containing aspirin or paracetamol, include added caffeine. Coffee can speed up how quickly these drugs are absorbed by accelerating how fast the stomach empties and making the stomach more acidic, which improves absorption for some medications such as aspirin. While this may help painkillers work faster, it could also raise the risk of side effects like stomach irritation or bleeding, especially when combined with other sources of caffeine. Though no serious cases have been reported, caution is still advised. Heart medications Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate, typically lasting three-to-four hours after consumption. For people taking blood pressure medication or drugs that control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), this may counteract the intended effects of the medication. This doesn't mean people with heart conditions must avoid coffee altogether – but they should monitor how it affects their symptoms, and consider limiting intake or switching to decaf if needed. What can you do? Coffee may be part of your daily routine, but it's also a potent chemical compound that can influence how your body processes medicine. Here's how to make sure it doesn't interfere. Take levothyroxine or bisphosphonates on an empty stomach with water, and wait 30-60 minutes before drinking coffee or eating breakfast. Be cautious with cold and flu remedies, asthma treatments and ADHD medications, as caffeine can amplify side effects. If you're on antidepressants, antipsychotics, or blood pressure drugs, discuss your caffeine habits with your doctor. Consider reducing intake or choosing a decaffeinated option if you experience side effects like restlessness, insomnia or heart palpitations. Everyone metabolises caffeine differently – some people feel fine after three cups, while others get side effects after just one. Pay attention to how your body responds and talk to your pharmacist or GP if anything feels off. If you're ever unsure whether your medicine and your coffee are a good match, ask your pharmacist or doctor. A short conversation might save you weeks of side effects or reduced treatment effectiveness – and help you enjoy your brew with peace of mind. DM This story first appeared in The Conversation. Dipa Kamdar is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University.
Hans India
01-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Be wary! Coffee can interfere with your medication
For many of us, the day doesn't start until we've had our first cup of coffee. It's comforting, energising, and one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. But while your morning brew might feel harmless, it can interact with certain medicines in ways that reduce their effectiveness – or increase the risk of side-effects. From common cold tablets to antidepressants, caffeine's impact on the body goes far beyond a quick energy boost. Tea also contains caffeine but not in the same concentrations as coffee and doesn't seem to affect people in the same way. Here's what you should know about how coffee can interfere with your medications – and how to stay safe. 1. Cold and flu medicines: Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it speeds up the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in cold and flu remedies such as Sudafed, is also a stimulant. When taken together, the effects can be amplified – potentially leading to jitters or restlessness, headaches, fast heart rate and insomnia. Many cold medications already contain added caffeine, increasing these risks further. Some studies also suggest that combining caffeine with pseudoephedrine can raise blood sugar and body temperature – particularly important for people with diabetes. Stimulant effects are also a concern when combining caffeine with ADHD medications such as amphetamines, or with asthma drugs such as theophylline, which shares a similar chemical structure to caffeine. Using them together may increase the risk of side-effects such as a rapid heartbeat and sleep disruption. 2. Thyroid medication: Levothyroxine, the standard treatment for an underactive thyroid, is highly sensitive to timing – and your morning coffee can get in the way. Studies show that drinking coffee too soon after taking levothyroxine can reduce its absorption by up to 50 per cent. Caffeine speeds up gut motility, giving the drug less time to be absorbed – and may also bind to it in the stomach, making it harder for the body to take in. These effects reduce the drug's bioavailability, meaning less of it reaches your bloodstream where it's 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 – can return, even if you're taking your medicine correctly. 3. Antidepressants and antipsychotics: The interaction between caffeine and mental health medications can be more complex. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline and citalopram, are a type of antidepressant medication widely used to treat depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. Lab studies suggest caffeine can bind to these drugs in the stomach, reducing absorption and potentially making them less effective. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and imipramine, are a class of older antidepressants that work by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. They were among the first antidepressants developed and are less commonly used today, compared with newer antidepressants such as SSRIs, due to their potential for more side-effects and higher risk of overdose. TCAs are broken down by the liver enzyme CYP1A2, which also metabolises caffeine. Clozapine, an antipsychotic, is also processed by CYP1A2. 4. Painkillers: Some over-the-counter painkillers, such as those containing aspirin or paracetamol, include added caffeine. Coffee can speed up how quickly these drugs are absorbed by accelerating how fast the stomach empties and making the stomach more acidic, which improves absorption for some medications such as aspirin. 5. Heart medications: Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate, typically lasting three-to-four hours after consumption. For people taking blood pressure medication or drugs that control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), this may counteract the intended effects of the medication. This doesn't mean people with heart conditions must avoid coffee altogether – but they should monitor how it affects their symptoms. (The writer is from Kingston University)
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Coffee can interfere with your medication - here's what you need to know
London: For many of us, the day doesn't start until we've had our first cup of coffee . It's comforting, energising, and one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. But while your morning brew might feel harmless, it can interact with certain medicines in ways that reduce their effectiveness - or increase the risk of side-effects. From common cold tablets to antidepressants, caffeine 's impact on the body goes far beyond a quick energy boost. Tea also contains caffeine but not in the same concentrations as coffee, and doesn't seem to affect people in the same way. Here's what you should know about how coffee can interfere with your medications - and how to stay safe. 1. Cold and flu medicines Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it speeds up the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in cold and flu remedies such as Sudafed , is also a stimulant. When taken together, the effects can be amplified - potentially leading to jitters or restlessness, headaches, fast heart rate and insomnia. Many cold medications already contain added caffeine, increasing these risks further. Some studies also suggest that combining caffeine with pseudoephedrine can raise blood sugar and body temperature - particularly important for people with diabetes. Stimulant effects are also a concern when combining caffeine with ADHD medications such as amphetamines, or with asthma drugs such as theophylline, which shares a similar chemical structure to caffeine. Using them together may increase the risk of side-effects such as a rapid heartbeat and sleep disruption. 2. Thyroid medication Levothyroxine, the standard treatment for an underactive thyroid, is highly sensitive to timing - and your morning coffee can get in the way. Studies show that drinking coffee too soon after taking levothyroxine can reduce its absorption by up to 50%. Caffeine speeds up gut motility (the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract), giving the drug less time to be absorbed - and may also bind to it in the stomach, making it harder for the body to take in. These effects reduce the drug's bioavailability, meaning less of it reaches your bloodstream where it's 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 - can return, even if you're taking your medicine correctly. The same timing rule applies to a class of osteoporosis medications called bisphosphonates, including alendronate and risedronate, which also require an empty stomach and around 30-60 minutes before food or drink is taken. 3. Antidepressants and antipsychotics The interaction between caffeine and mental health medications can be more complex. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline and citalopram, are a type of antidepressant medication widely used to treat depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. Lab studies suggest caffeine can bind to these drugs in the stomach, reducing absorption and potentially making them less effective. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and imipramine, are a class of older antidepressants that work by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. They were among the first antidepressants developed and are less commonly used today, compared with newer antidepressants such as SSRIs, due to their potential for more side-effects and higher risk of overdose. TCAs are broken down by the liver enzyme CYP1A2, which also metabolises caffeine. The competition between the two can slow drug breakdown, increasing side-effects, or delay caffeine clearance, making you feel jittery or wired longer than usual. Clozapine , an antipsychotic, is also processed by CYP1A2. One study showed that drinking two-to-three cups of coffee could increase blood levels of clozapine by up to 97%, potentially increasing risks such as drowsiness, confusion, or more serious complications. 4. Painkillers Some over-the-counter painkillers, such as those containing aspirin or paracetamol, include added caffeine. Coffee can speed up how quickly these drugs are absorbed by accelerating how fast the stomach empties and making the stomach more acidic, which improves absorption for some medications such as aspirin. While this may help painkillers work faster, it could also raise the risk of side-effects like stomach irritation or bleeding, especially when combined with other sources of caffeine. Though no serious cases have been reported, caution is still advised. 5. Heart medications Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate, typically lasting three-to-four hours after consumption. For people taking blood pressure medication or drugs that control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), this may counteract the intended effects of the medication. This doesn't mean people with heart conditions must avoid coffee altogether - but they should monitor how it affects their symptoms, and consider limiting intake or switching to decaf if needed. What can you do? Coffee may be part of your daily routine, but it's also a potent chemical compound that can influence how your body processes medicine. Here's how to make sure it doesn't interfere. Take levothyroxine or bisphosphonates on an empty stomach with water, and wait 30-60 minutes before drinking coffee or eating breakfast. Be cautious with cold and flu remedies, asthma treatments and ADHD medications, as caffeine can amplify side-effects. If you're on antidepressants, antipsychotics, or blood pressure drugs, discuss your caffeine habits with your doctor. Consider reducing intake or choosing a decaffeinated option if you experience side-effects like restlessness, insomnia or heart palpitations. Everyone metabolises caffeine differently - some people feel fine after three cups, while others get side-effects after just one. Pay attention to how your body responds and talk to your pharmacist or GP if anything feels off. If you're ever unsure whether your medicine and your coffee are a good match, ask your pharmacist or doctor. A short conversation might save you weeks of side-effects or reduced treatment effectiveness - and help you enjoy your brew with peace of mind. (The Conversation)
