5 types of medicine should limit taking with coffee

Coffee is rich in caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant. However, when dealing with certain health problems, the combination of coffee and medication can lead to unwanted interactions.

Drinking coffee at or near the same time as taking certain common medications can alter the way your body absorbs, eliminates, or reacts to the medication. This can reduce the effectiveness of the medication and even increase the risk of side effects, according to Verywell Health.

Some medications should be limited in taking with coffee.

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Below are common medications that patients should avoid combining with coffee:

Cold medicine

Many cold and flu medications, especially over-the-counter (OTC) versions, contain stimulants such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine to relieve nasal congestion. When combined with caffeine in coffee, they can increase the stimulant effect on heart rate and blood pressure, causing hand tremors, nervousness, anxiety, and even irregular heartbeat.

Additionally, because caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, it can increase fluid loss. This is especially important during a cold or flu, when the body needs to maintain fluid balance.

Cardiovascular drugs

Coffee can act differently on cardiovascular drugs such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics. For example, caffeine can temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. This effect is opposite to the goal of antihypertensive drugs.

Some studies have shown that coffee can alter the absorption or metabolism of heart medications. If you are taking heart medications, talk to your doctor about the ideal time to drink coffee. For example, you may need to take your medication before drinking coffee or space out the time between them.

Thyroid medication

Drinking coffee too close to the time of taking thyroid medication, such as levothyroxine, can significantly reduce drug absorption, possibly by as much as 30-40%. The main interaction mechanism is that caffeine or other components in coffee alter the pH of the stomach or compete for absorption in the intestine, causing the thyroid medication to not be absorbed effectively.

Therefore, many doctors recommend that people taking thyroid medication should take it on an empty stomach, then wait at least 30-60 minutes before drinking coffee or eating anything else. People who have a habit of drinking coffee in the morning should take their thyroid medication at least 1 hour before drinking coffee.

Antidepressants

Coffee and some antidepressants can interact through several mechanisms. Specifically, some antidepressants are metabolized by liver enzymes that also process caffeine. When coexisting, the drugs and caffeine sometimes compete for enzymes, which can lead to increased drug or caffeine levels in the blood, causing symptoms such as nervousness, tremors, and anxiety.

Additionally, coffee contains tannins, which can bind to and reduce the absorption of antidepressants. When taken together, caffeine can amplify some of the side effects of antidepressants, such as insomnia, restlessness, and rapid heartbeat.

Analgesic

Coffee can interact with painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and naproxen. In some cases, caffeine is actually used in combination painkillers to enhance their pain-relieving effects.

However, drinking coffee with pain relievers can increase nervous system stimulation or cause cardiovascular stress, especially in sensitive people, according to Verywell Health .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/5-loai-thuoc-nen-han-che-uong-chung-voi-ca-phe-185251010200223237.htm