When Your Morning Coffee Becomes an Enemy to Your Treatment
A British pharmacy expert has warned that consuming coffee alongside certain medications may pose hidden health risks, particularly for people taking thyroid treatments, antidepressants, ADHD medications, or common over-the-counter cold remedies.
Deepa Camma, a pharmacist at Kingston University, explained that caffeine isn’t just a stimulant—it can interact with a range of medications, potentially blocking their absorption or intensifying their side effects. She stated: “Drinking coffee may seem like an innocent morning habit, but in some cases, it can lead to unexpected outcomes such as sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, dizziness, headaches, confusion, or even gastrointestinal bleeding.”
She outlined specific medications that are especially sensitive to caffeine, including:
Cold medications containing pseudoephedrine: Caffeine may increase side effects like anxiety and insomnia.
Levothyroxine, a common thyroid medication: Its absorption may be reduced by up to 50% if coffee is consumed right after taking it.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants like sertraline and citalopram: Caffeine can interfere with their effectiveness.
ADHD medications and certain asthma treatments, such as those containing theophylline: Caffeine may amplify stimulant effects, causing heart palpitations and trouble sleeping.
Heart medications can also be negatively affected by caffeine interactions.
Osteoporosis treatments such as alendronate: It’s advised not to drink coffee or eat anything for 30 to 60 minutes after taking the medication.
The expert emphasized that caffeine is not only found in coffee but also in tea, energy drinks, and some types of green tea. Sensitivity to caffeine varies from person to person—some may experience symptoms after just one cup, while others may need larger amounts to feel the effects.
Recommendations:
Wait 30 to 60 minutes after taking certain medications before drinking coffee.
Reduce caffeine intake or monitor symptoms like insomnia or irregular heartbeat.
Consider switching to decaffeinated coffee if you’re on medications known to interact with caffeine.
