Pharmacist warns: these medications should not be taken with coffee
Pharmacist Ian Budd says caffeine can reduce the effectiveness of several common medications or increase their side effects, meaning timing between coffee and certain drugs matters.
A morning cup of coffee can affect how the body absorbs and processes several widely used medications, pharmacist Ian Budd told the Daily Mail. The main interaction happens in the liver, where caffeine can either speed up a drug's breakdown or intensify its side effects.
Which medications are affected
Cold and flu remedies containing caffeine or pseudoephedrine can over-stimulate the nervous system when combined with coffee, causing shakiness and a faster heart rate. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, washed down with coffee, may worsen stomach irritation and heartburn, and in severe cases contribute to dangerous peritonitis.
For high blood pressure medication - ACE inhibitors - caffeine can reduce absorption, increasing strain on the heart and blood vessels. For levothyroxine, used to treat an underactive thyroid, drinking coffee too soon can cut absorption by nearly 50 percent, so waiting at least 30 minutes is advised.
Some antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, are processed by the same liver enzyme as caffeine, which can heighten anxiety, insomnia and, in rare cases, contribute to serotonin syndrome. Osteoporosis drugs such as alendronate and risedronate must be taken on an empty stomach, with a 30-minute gap before coffee, since caffeine can also hinder calcium and vitamin D absorption.
What to do
The pharmacist recommends carefully reading medication instructions and consulting a pharmacist or doctor when in doubt, to determine the best timing for coffee consumption. Those concerned about caffeine intake may consider switching to decaffeinated coffee.
