Khaberni - Drinking coffee is an essential part of the daily routine for millions of people around the world, but what many do not know is that caffeine can interfere with the effects of many common medications, either by reducing their absorption in the body or by amplifying their side effects.
According to a recent medical report published by VerywellHealth, some of these interactions can be serious, especially for patients with heart, neurological, and thyroid conditions.
Medications whose effectiveness is reduced by coffee
Studies indicate that thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine, are significantly affected by caffeine, which can reduce the body's ability to absorb them by half when taken with coffee, leading to hormonal imbalances.
The same applies to medications for osteoporosis such as ibandronate and risedronate, which are recommended to be taken with water only and on an empty stomach, as coffee reduces their therapeutic effectiveness.
Coffee also affects Alzheimer's and dementia drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, by reducing the amount of medication that reaches the brain, weakening its therapeutic effect.
Combining coffee with some medications can amplify side effects
The problem is not limited to poor absorption, as combining coffee with some medications can amplify the side effects. Caffeine increases the effect of blood thinners like warfarin, raising the risk of bleeding. It can also cause palpitations, anxiety, and sleep disturbances when taken with antidepressants or antipsychotics.
Respiratory drugs that expand the airways, used for asthma, can have their side effects, such as tremors and accelerated heartbeat, doubled when taken with coffee. The same applies to cold and allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine, as both act as stimulants to the nervous system.
Studies also warn that excessive caffeine consumption can negatively affect blood sugar control in diabetic patients, and can reduce the effectiveness of some blood pressure medications like propranolol and metoprolol, limiting their ability to lower blood pressure.
Doctors advise avoiding coffee or spacing it several hours apart from medication for:
Pregnant women.
Patients with anxiety and heart disorders.
Children and teenagers.
Elderly people who take several medications at the same time.
Experts confirm that consulting a doctor or pharmacist remains the best option to determine whether it is safe to drink coffee with daily medications or to determine the appropriate timing for doing so.
