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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Medical validation:
August 06, 2024
Fancy an espresso? Be sure to check what medications you’re taking first. Some can interact with caffeine and increase the risk of side effects.
Many of us enjoy drinking our morning coffee. However, this practice is not without risk, warn pharmacists. In the Daily Mail, They reveal that coffee and other caffeinated drinks could interact with some common medications.
Some medications may not mix well with coffee
Are you taking medication and drinking coffee every day? Be careful, warn several pharmacists. Antidepressants, antibiotics, blood thinners, over-the-counter cold and allergy medications… are all molecules that can interfere with coffee.
“Caffeine may interact with these medications, potentially causing dangerous increases in blood pressure,” explains Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, pharmacist and health expert at SingleCare.
In fact, “older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), prevent the body from properly metabolizing caffeine” she adds.
For her part, Dr. Ngo-Hamilton advises against taking coffee and over-the-counter cold and allergy medications (such as Sudafed and Mucinex) at the same time. Instead, she recommends taking these medications two hours before or four hours after a cup of coffee.
Let us remember that regardless of coffee, these anti-cold medications are strongly discouraged. On December 1, 2023, the Medicines Agency advised against purchasing certain vasoconstrictor cold medications. Used to unclog the nose, they are suspected of causing heart attacks and strokes.
Another recommendation: do not mix coffee with insulin.
“It’s more like when you drink coffee it raises your blood sugar, especially if it also contains cream and sugar. Your blood sugar will rise, which will make your medicine less effective.” adds Dr. Ngo-Hamilton.
For her part, Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois highlights the case of ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic belonging to the fluoroquinolone family) also called Cipro.
Commonly used to fight bacterial infections, “This antibiotic may inhibit the metabolism of caffeine, leading to increased blood caffeine levels”says Dr. Bourgeois.
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Dr Gérald Kierzek’s opinion on the subject
According to Doctissimo’s medical director, there are no formal studies regarding interactions between coffee and medications.
“However, it is established that caffeine can interact with certain medications, affecting their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects”he warns.
- Some antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, can in fact “have an interaction with caffeine, increasing its stimulant effects“, assures Dr Gérald Kierzek.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) which are antidepressants”may cause adverse effects if consumed with foods or beverages containing caffeine“, warned the doctor.
- Caffeine can affect the medicines used to treat high blood pressure or other heart problems“by increasing heart rate. Some bronchodilators may also interact with caffeine, increasing the risk of side effects“, indicates the general director of Doctissimo.
- Caffeine may influence the effectiveness of anti coagulants“vse which could increase the risk of blood clots or bleeding“, he emphasizes.
- It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional”before combining medications with coffee consumption or other sources of caffeine“, says the doctor.
- In all cases, “overconsumption of caffeine (including theine in tea or caffeine in drinks such as soda or energy drinks) is harmful in high doses”, reveals, in conclusion, the Doctor.