More Than A Cup Of Joe

Who doesn’t love a fresh cup of coffee every morning? Coffee, which contains caffeine, boosts energy levels, helping even the worst morning person get a head start on the day. Some people even use coffee to help hit the gym and improve athletic performance. Today, there are even caffeine supplements that help provide quick bursts of energy. Coffee also contains antioxidants like polyphenols, which are great for overall health. While relatively safe alone, when caffeine is taken with certain medications, the combination can lead to unpleasant, ineffective, or even dangerous outcomes.

A concerning interaction

Caffeine can cause unwanted interactions with medication. Certain foods can reduce the absorption of a drug, limiting the treatment the user receives. Food and drug combinations can also lead to unpleasant side effects, with some leading to medical emergencies. Certain medications can increase the effectiveness of the stimulant resulting in undesirable side effects such as too much energy. While small amounts of caffeine are generally safe in adults, ask a doctor about drinking coffee with these 3 drugs.

1. Daily diabetic medication

More than 30 million Americans struggle with type 2 diabetes. The disease causes health risks due to poor insulin production. Diabetic patients often require medication to manage blood sugar levels. While coffee has some health benefits, excessive use can spike blood sugar and insulin levels. This can reduce the effectiveness of prescription medications for diabetes, causing more unwanted symptoms and decreased quality of life. Ask a doctor if coffee is safe to drink before taking any diabetes medicine.

2. CNS stimulation

Asthma is a common respiratory condition. Some people living with asthma need medication to manage severe symptoms. These drugs can include central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. These stimulants act as a decongestant and bronchodilators. As a side effect, some asthma medications increase heart rate. Since caffeine is also a CNS stimulant, combining the 2 products may increase heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.

3. Watch out for anticoagulant drugs

For any individual facing a blood clot issue, anticoagulants are lifesaving drugs. Anticoagulants thin the blood, preventing the formation of dangerous blood clots. Blood clots can sometimes lead to strokes, heart attacks, and other life-threatening conditions. Some anticoagulant medications can also break up existing blood clots or prevent future clots from forming. Coffee and caffeine can raise blood pressure while increasing the effectiveness of these drugs. As a result, the patient has a higher risk of bruising, bleeding, and having too thin blood.

Wake up and smell the coffee

There are always drug and food interaction risks when taking medication. Therefore, doctors recommend that patients disclose all supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and prescriptions before starting any new drug. The patient should disclose daily beverage use, such as coffee and alcohol, to make sure there are no know interactions with the new medications. A doctor or pharmacist can help patients find safe ways to enjoy coffee and remain healthy.