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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Alalam24
a day ago
- Alalam24
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.
Alalam24
16-05-2025
- Alalam24
A Common Virus May Trigger Alzheimer's Disease
In a compelling development with new medical implications, a recent study has revealed a potentially alarming link between a common virus—often dismissed as harmless—and Alzheimer's disease, which continues to puzzle scientists. According to the British newspaper The Daily Mail, cytomegalovirus (CMV)—a virus that causes mild cold-like symptoms in about half of all adults—may play a hidden role in accelerating the onset of Alzheimer's. This virus, which quietly resides in the body, can in some individuals cause a chronic intestinal infection that allows it to enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the brain. Once there, it is detected by immune cells in the brain, known as microglia, which begin to react in a way that may gradually contribute to the biological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have expressed cautious optimism about these findings, calling them 'promising,' as they could pave the way for new treatment possibilities—particularly through exploring whether commonly used antiviral drugs might help prevent this complex form of dementia. At the same time, the researchers emphasized that being exposed to the virus—something that applies to nearly everyone—is not a reason for alarm or panic. Additionally, the results of this study were published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, lending scientific credibility to the discovery and highlighting the importance of continuing this line of research, which could significantly shift our understanding of Alzheimer's risk factors. Nevertheless, the road ahead is still long, and future studies will be crucial in determining whether this scientific hypothesis can lead to a reliable therapeutic approach to one of the most complex neurological diseases.
Alalam24
08-05-2025
- Alalam24
Can the Eye Reveal What the Mind Hides
In a groundbreaking scientific discovery that could transform the early detection of mental illness, a research team in Switzerland has found that eye health may hold crucial clues to what's happening deep within the brain. A recent study revealed a link between reduced retinal thickness and an increased risk of developing schizophrenia—one of the most complex and reality-altering psychiatric disorders. Led by researchers from the University of Zurich and the University Psychiatric Hospital, the study analyzed extensive data from the UK Biobank, a major British health database containing records of over half a million individuals. The team concluded that subtle changes in retinal thickness might reflect brain alterations long before clear symptoms of schizophrenia appear. The findings support the hypothesis that the eye—particularly the retina, which is considered a direct extension of the central nervous system—could serve as an early window into mental health disorders. A promising tool for detecting these changes is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a painless test that takes only a few minutes. Unlike expensive and complex brain imaging technologies, OCT offers doctors a simple and early way to spot potential signs of schizophrenia. The study went even further, suggesting a connection between genetically driven inflammation in the brain and structural changes in the retina. This relationship could one day pave the way for preventive treatments. Team leader Finn Rabe told SciTech Daily, 'If this hypothesis proves true, we may be able to intervene early to treat these inflammations, potentially increasing our chances of managing or even preventing schizophrenia.' While further studies are needed to confirm these findings, they open up new horizons in understanding this intricate mental illness—through a simple look into the eye.
