Medications You Should Not Take With Coffee

The Three Most Common Kinds of Medication That You Should Not Take With Coffee 

If you are like over 80% of Americans, you start your day off with a hot cup of coffee. The caffeine in coffee can be great for waking up and this hot liquid with its many minerals and oils may also stimulate the muscles in your stomach to help with digestion. However, with certain medications, these same alertness and digestive effects can be an issue rather than a bonus.

Indeed, coffee may interact with certain medications and alter their absorption into your bloodstream, meaning depending on the meds you need to take, coffee should be avoided temporarily. Here's a breakdown of the most common medications you should avoid taking with coffee. 

What medications should not be taken with coffee? 

The most common medicines that should not be taken with coffee include thyroid medication (which must be taken on an empty stomach), some asthma medications (especially if they cause restlessness already), most antidepressants and antipsychotics (because of the caffeine in coffee), and some blood pressure medications. 

This is due to coffee’s digestive effects and its caffeine. Diabetes medications ( glimepiride (sold as Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, and Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia) should not be taken with coffee if your coffee contains sugar or milk. 

1. Avoid Hypothyroidism Meds and Coffee - Must be Taken on an Empty Stomach 

Medications such as Levothyroxine help balance the hormones of those struggling with hypothyroidism. However, if you take your levothyroxine with a cup of coffee, it may have a lower absorption rate. As such, it is best to take your Levothyroxine medication first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and then wait at least 30 minutes before you enjoy your coffee or even eat anything else. 

2. Avoid Nervous System Stimulants - Switch to Decaf to Avoid Excessive Feelings of Restlessness 

Some stimulating medicines like pseudoephedrine and Fexofenadine should not be taken with caffeine, as this can cause restlessness and feelings of overstimulation. If you are taking medications known to cause restlessness already, at least switch to decaf coffee for the time being so that you don't feel anxious or stressed. 

3. Avoid Diabetes Medications if Your Coffee Contains Sugar or Milk 

Mixing your coffee with milk and sugar could cause a blood sugar spike and affect the way certain diabetes medications work. Caffeine and coffee may also have an impact on insulin and blood sugar levels in general. If you will be drinking coffee in the morning with your diabetes medication, be sure to only drink black coffee and consider switching to decaf. As always, ask your doctor if you aren't sure. 

Understanding Coffee Interactions: The Effects of Medications and Caffeine

As a rule of thumb, if you are taking an oral medication that's meant to be consumed on an empty stomach, don't use coffee as your beverage of choice to swallow down your pill. Coffee has caffeine, minerals, oils, and other compounds in it that can influence digestion. Instead, take your medication on an empty stomach as directed, and use water to swallow it. Wait 30 to 60 minutes, and then enjoy your coffee and anything else you plan on eating or drinking,  

Caffeine speeds up the nervous system and thus, can impact things like how fast your metabolism moves, certain compound absorption rates, etc. Blood thinners, oral contraceptives, and medication for ADHD are all examples of meds that can be somewhat influenced by caffeine. However, the effects of caffeine in correlation with most of these medications are considered minimal. 

If you’re not sure, ask your doctor. 

Trying to figure out whether you can mix a certain type of medicine and coffee can be confusing. To get direct answers, it is best to call your doctor's office and ask your specific questions. You can also ask your pharmacist when you pick up your medication, as most pharmacists will have an in-depth understanding of medication interactions. Also, do your own research on side effects and drug interactions, so that you can take your medications with confidence. 

Can coffee interfere with my blood pressure medication? 

Most drinks that contain caffeine, including coffee, don't directly interfere with blood pressure medications. With that being said, if you are watching your blood pressure, you should be careful when consuming caffeine and consider switching to decaf. If you're not crazy about decaf coffee, check out some of these amazing flavored decaf coffee blends which according to their ratings and reviews, taste incredible. 

What medications with coffee are safe?

Plenty of medications are fine to take with coffee. Most vitamins are fine to take with coffee. Additionally, certain vitamins and vitamin-mineral compounds including riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), potassium, magnesium, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, are actually better to take with coffee, since coffee already contains trace amounts of all of these and may enhance absorption naturally. 

Disclaimer: This article offers general information and discussions about health-related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, blog, website, or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be regarded, or used as a replacement for, medical advice or treatment. This blog does not constitute healthcare advice. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider.