Health experts have warned of catastrophic side effects and severe complications associated with taking certain medications along with a morning cup of coffee. In this context, a group of pharmacists revealed to the "Daily Mail" common medications that "can interact with coffee and other caffeinated drinks."
Jennifer Bourgeois, a pharmacist and health expert at SingleCare, stated: "Caffeine can interact with antidepressants, which can lead to a dangerous increase in blood pressure." Older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), prevent the body from metabolizing caffeine properly. Consequently, caffeine remains in the body longer, potentially leading to increased heart rate and chronically elevated blood pressure.
Havy Ngu-Hamilton, a pharmacist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, indicated that medications like fluvoxamine, phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) are the worst in this regard.
### Cold and Allergy Medications
Many of these medicines contain the stimulant pseudoephedrine, which constricts blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce swelling and congestion. However, pseudoephedrine stimulates brain cells responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which keeps us safe when under threat. Ngu-Hamilton noted that drinking coffee while taking these medications could exacerbate symptoms, making you feel anxious and jittery. Common over-the-counter cold medications include "Sudafed" and "Mucinex" (products containing pseudoephedrine). Ngu-Hamilton recommends taking these medications two hours before or four hours after drinking a cup of coffee.
### Diabetes Medications
Ngu-Hamilton stated: "When you drink coffee, it raises blood sugar levels, especially if it contains cream and sugar, making your medication less effective." Consuming any caffeinated beverage can lead to increased insulin and blood sugar levels, according to the American Diabetes Association. Ngu-Hamilton advised monitoring blood sugar levels to determine if you should drink coffee with your medications.
### Antibiotics
Some antibiotics can inhibit caffeine metabolism, leading to increased caffeine levels in the blood. Bourgeois specifically mentioned "ciprofloxacin," which is typically used to treat bacterial infections like urinary tract infections, bladder infections, gastrointestinal infections, and sinus infections.
### Blood Thinners
Ngu-Hamilton said that caffeine can inhibit the breakdown of blood thinners, leaving more medication in the body, which may lead to excessive bleeding from minor injuries. She recommends waiting "at least 6 to 8 hours" after taking "warfarin" (the oldest and most common blood thinner) before drinking some coffee.
### Blood Pressure Medications
Ngu-Hamilton explained: "Beta-blockers lower heart rate so your heart doesn’t have to work hard. However, coffee or any caffeinated drink raises heart rate and blood pressure. This isn’t a direct interaction with the medications, but rather a resistance to beta-blockers." She suggests taking these medications two hours before or four hours after drinking a cup of coffee or any caffeinated beverage.
### Thyroid Medications
Ngu-Hamilton warned that taking these medications with any type of food or drink, including coffee, can reduce the amount of medication absorbed by the body. Dr. William Franklin, founder and director of the Victory Medical Center in Texas, suggested that individuals taking "levothyroxine" should take it "on an empty stomach with water and wait 30 to 60 minutes before consuming caffeine."
### Alzheimer’s Medications
Medications used to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms, known as "cholinesterase inhibitors," prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical essential for memory formation and thinking. However, taking these medications with coffee can constrict the blood-brain barrier, making it difficult for the medication to reach the brain.
### Asthma Medications
Taking "bronchodilators," such as "aminophylline" and "theophylline," with coffee exacerbates the drug's side effects, such as restlessness and insomnia.
### Antipsychotics
These medications work by regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin to alleviate symptoms like hallucinations. Ngu-Hamilton warned that coffee can reduce the amount of medication absorbed by the body and recommended completely avoiding coffee if the patient is experiencing a manic episode.
