One potential drawback of your morning cup of coffee is that it may not mix well with certain medications, especially if you take them earlier in the day. There are many different ways coffee can interact with some medications. "Coffee can change the way certain medications are absorbed, metabolized, or eliminated from the body. It can speed up stomach emptying, causing the medication to move through your system before it is fully absorbed," says pharmacist Jennifer Bourgeois. Fortunately, this doesn't mean you have to give up coffee entirely, but you may need to adjust the timing of taking your medication and drinking coffee.
If your doctor has prescribed an antidepressant, you should be careful not to drink coffee too quickly after taking one of these medications, as it can reduce their effectiveness. For example, caffeine in coffee can form a complex with the antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro), making it harder for the medication to be absorbed into the body. Since less medication is absorbed, it may be less effective. Other antidepressants like clomipramine and imipramine are broken down by the same enzyme (called CYP1A2) as caffeine. So, if you take these medications with coffee, they may not be metabolized as quickly, which can lead to higher levels of the medication in the blood over a longer period. Additionally, this interaction can increase the effects of caffeine, leaving you feeling jittery and restless.
Thyroid Medications Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Without adequate levels of the hormone, you may begin to experience excessive fatigue, joint and muscle pain, depression, or weight gain. Bourgeois explains that coffee can significantly reduce the absorption of levothyroxine, which is used to treat hypothyroidism. In fact, some studies have found that coffee reduces the absorption of the medication by up to 50 percent. "This can lead to inconsistent thyroid levels and persistent symptoms like fatigue or brain fog. That's why patients are advised to wait 30 to 60 minutes before drinking coffee after taking thyroid medications," she adds.
Osteoporosis Medications Medications used to treat osteoporosis, such as risedronate and alendronate, should not be taken with coffee. "Whether it's caffeinated, decaffeinated, or even just milk or juice, all of them can reduce absorption due to the way the medication binds and dissolves. The safest practice is always to take this medication only with plain water," says Bourgeois.
Cold and Allergy Medications Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter nasal decongestant that helps treat stuffy noses caused by colds or allergies. Like caffeine, pseudoephedrine is also a stimulant. Therefore, when taken together with coffee, it can amplify side effects, making you feel more jittery and restless. People with diabetes should be especially cautious when consuming caffeine with this medication—some studies have found that combining the two can raise blood sugar and increase body temperature.