Coffee has now become a veritable institution in the daily lives of Moroccans. For many, it represents an essential ritual to start the day. However, those undergoing medical treatment may have to do without this bitter, energizing and sometimes addictive drink. Indeed, combining certain medications with a morning cup of coffee can lead to serious side effects, such as high blood pressure or uncontrolled bleeding, warns the Dailymail.
Pharmacists have revealed to the British newspaper “DailyMail” the commonly taken medications that could interact with coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Antidepressants come with a long list of side effects, and some can even make it harder to drink coffee in the morning.
Dr Jennifer Bourgeois, pharmacist, said: “ Caffeine may interact with these medications, potentially causing dangerous increases in blood pressure.” Older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), prevent the body from properly metabolizing caffeine.
Normally, caffeine is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the form of urine. However, these medications disrupt this process, which prolongs the presence of caffeine in the body. In the long term, this can lead to a sustained increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
For her part, Dr. HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, a pharmacist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, mentioned that drugs such as fluvoxamine, phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate) were particularly problematic in this regard.
Over-the-counter cold and allergy medications are widely used in the United States to treat symptoms. Many of them contain the stimulant pseudoephedrine, which narrows blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce swelling and congestion. However, taking coffee with these medications can exacerbate these symptoms and make you feel jittery and anxious.
Dr. Ngo-Hamilton recommends taking these medications two hours before or four hours after a cup of coffee. Diabetes medications, while insulin does not react directly with caffeine, can interact with your morning coffee. It’s more like when you drink coffee, it raises your blood sugar, especially if there’s cream and sugar in it too” said the specialist.
Antibiotics, prescribed for a wide variety of infections, can also inhibit caffeine metabolism, increasing caffeine levels in the blood.
As for Dr. Bourgeois, he specifically cited ciprofloxacin, also called Cipro, which is often used for bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, infectious diarrhea, and sinus infections. As with over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, ” This antibiotic can inhibit caffeine metabolism, thereby increasing caffeine levels in the blood” she said.
Blood thinners are used to prevent blood clots. According to a survey by the National Blood Clot Alliance, about eight million Americans take them.
Dr. Ngo-Hamilton explained that caffeine can inhibit the breakdown of blood thinners, prolonging the drug’s presence in the body. However, this can be particularly dangerous because an overdose of the drug can lead to excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries like a paper cut.
Blood pressure medications are also commonly prescribed. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy estimates that 117 million prescriptions for beta-blockers have been dispensed to 26 million Americans.
« Beta blockers work by reducing your heart rate so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard.” said Dr. Ngo-Hamilton. But when you drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages, it increases your heart rate and ultimately increases your blood pressure. It’s not a direct interaction with the medication, but rather a counteraction against the beta-blocker,” she adds. She recommends taking these medications two hours before or four hours after a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage.
Thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism, are among the most prescribed in America, totaling 23 million prescriptions per year. However, Dr. Ngo-Hamilton cautioned against taking these medications with any type of food or water — including coffee — because it can reduce the amount of medication absorbed by the body.
A 2020 review found that caffeine reduced this absorption rate by up to 50%. Dr. William Franklin, founder and medical director of Victory Medical in Texas, told the DailyMail that people taking levothyroxine should take the drug “ on an empty stomach with water and wait 30-60 minutes before taking caffeine« .
Alzheimer’s medications are used to treat the symptoms of the disease, such as cholinesterase inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps with memory formation and thinking. However, taking these medications with coffee tightens the blood-brain barrier, making it harder for the medication to reach the brain.
« This ultimately reduces their effectiveness“, Dr. Ngo-Hamilton said. She cited donepezil and rivastigmine as the main culprits for this effect. She also noted that people taking these medications should take them two hours before or four hours after consuming coffee.
Osteoporosis medications are prescribed to slow bone breakdown in people with the disease, which makes bones fragile. About 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have the condition, and they take medications like risedronate and ibandronate. Like thyroid medications, taking these medications with coffee can decrease their absorption into the body, making them less effective.
Dr. Ngo-Hamilton recommends waiting about two hours before drinking coffee or eating after taking these medications. Asthma medications, used by many Americans with the respiratory disease, include bronchodilators that help relax and widen the airways. However, mixing bronchodilators like aminophylline and theophylline with coffee could worsen the medications’ side effects, such as irritability and restlessness.
« Especially if you are new to medication, wait and see how you react to the treatment before you start drinking coffee, as it can make the side effects worse.“, Dr. Ngo-Hamilton cautioned. If you still want to drink coffee, she suggests taking these medications four hours before or after.
ADHD medications, prescribed to regulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine to improve focus, attention, and impulse control. However, taking medications like Adderall and Ritalin with coffee can reduce their effectiveness and lead to increased hyperactivity.
« ADHD medications and caffeine are both stimulants. When combined, they can amplify each other’s effects, leading to overstimulation.” said Dr. Bourgeois.
Antipsychotics are prescribed for serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They work by regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin to alleviate symptoms like hallucinations. However, coffee can reduce the amount of medication absorbed by the body.
« If a person suffers from mania, then medication will not be able to stabilize him.” , warned Dr. Ngo-Hamilton. She recommends avoiding coffee altogether during a manic episode.
