Pharmacists are for "Delicious email" wrote a list of the most commonly taken medications that can negatively interact with coffee and other caffeinated beverages.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants come with a long list of side effects, and if taken with coffee, can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure. This is especially true of older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which prevent the body from metabolizing caffeine properly.
There are no known interactions between caffeine and newer antidepressants, such as zoloft, lexapro, and prozac.
Cold and allergy medicine
Over-the-counter cold and allergy medications often contain the stimulant pseudoephedrine, which constricts the blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce swelling and congestion.
However, pseudoephedrine stimulates cells in the brain that are responsible for the response that keeps us ready to flee when we are under threat. Drinking coffee with such drugs can worsen these symptoms and make us nervous and anxious.
Medicines for diabetes
Although insulin does not directly interact with caffeine, it is not good to drink it with coffee. Namely, blood sugar will rise after drinking coffee, which makes the medicine less effective. Drinking anything with caffeine can increase insulin and blood sugar levels, according to research from the American Diabetes Association.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can inhibit the metabolism of caffeine, leading to an increase in caffeine levels in the blood. This is especially true of ciprofloxacin, which is commonly prescribed for bacterial infections, such as urinary tract and bladder infections, infectious diarrhea, and sinus infections. Taking this medicine with coffee can lead to an increased heart rate and a feeling of nervousness.
Medicines to thin the blood
Caffeine can prevent the breakdown of blood thinners. This is particularly dangerous because an overdose of the drug can result in excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries such as a paper cut.
Medicines for blood pressure
Beta blockers reduce the heart rate, and if we drink coffee or a caffeinated beverage, the heart rate increases and, in the end, the blood pressure increases. Thus, caffeine does not directly interact with the drug, but suppresses its effectiveness.
Medicines for the thyroid gland
A 2020 study found that the body absorbs less of the hypothyroid drug when it is taken with any type of food or water. In particular, if you drink the medicine with caffeine, the rate of absorption decreases by as much as 50 percent.
Drugs for Alzheimer's disease
Medicines to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, called cholinesterase inhibitors, prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps with memory formation and thinking.
However, taking these drugs with coffee tightens the blood-brain barrier, making it difficult for the drug to reach the brain.
Medicines for osteoporosis
Similar to thyroid medication, taking these medications with coffee can cause the body to not absorb them properly, making them less effective.
Medicines for asthma
Mixing bronchodilators such as aminophylline and theophylline with coffee could worsen the drug's side effects, such as irritability and restlessness.
Medications for ADHD
ADHD medications help regulate neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, to improve focus, attention, and impulse control. However, when taken with coffee, the drugs are less effective and may lead to increased hyperactivity.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are usually prescribed for serious medical conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They work by regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin to relieve symptoms like hallucinations. Coffee can reduce the amount of medicine that the body absorbs, which is why people with manic episodes should completely avoid hot drinks, reports Danas.rs.
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