Beware! 7 medicines that do not go well with coffee and tea

Traditionally, medicines have always been taken with water, whether with food or without food. Some people prefer to take their medicines with milk, as it somewhat masks the bitter after taste. And then there are those who prefer to take their medicines with their morning coffee or tea, primarily for convenience, and to avoid having water straight after coffee/tea. However, do you know that sometimes certain medicines can react strongly to tea/coffee and even trigger allergic reactions or side effects? Here are 7 medicines you should not take with tea or coffee.

Thyroid Medicines

Thyroid medicines like levothyroxine are used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where your body does not make enough thyroid hormone. Drinking coffee or tea soon after or alongside your thyroid medicine can make it harder for your body to absorb the medicine. This means the medicine may not work as well, and your thyroid levels may not improve. Doctors usually recommend waiting at least 30 to 60 minutes after taking your thyroid pill before having coffee or tea.

Asthma Medicines

Some asthma medicines, such as theophylline, are chemically similar to caffeine. When you drink coffee or tea while taking these medicines, it can increase the risk of side effects like nervousness, rapid heartbeat, or even seizures, since the body thinks of it as somewhat of a double dose. Combining these medicines with caffeine can make you feel jittery or anxious, and may also raise your blood pressure.

Antidepressants

Certain antidepressants can interact with coffee and tea in different ways. For example, the tannins in coffee and tea can bind to some antidepressants , and make them harder for your body to absorb in the right way. This can reduce the medicine’s effectiveness. Some antidepressants also compete with caffeine for the same enzymes in your liver, which can increase side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and a racing heart.

Diabetes Medicines

We all know that coffee and tea can affect blood sugar levels, sometimes making it harder for diabetes medicines to control your blood sugar. Caffeine may raise blood sugar in some people, which can work against your diabetes medicine. If you take medicine for diabetes and drink a lot of coffee or tea, you may need to check your blood sugar more often and talk to your doctor about your medicine dose.

Blood Thinners

Blood thinners help prevent blood clots, and are given in various conditions like heart disease, stroke and even pregnancy in some cases. Both coffee and tea can interact with these medicines in a few ways. For example, green tea contains vitamin K, which can reduce the effectiveness of these medicines. Coffee and tea can also slow blood clotting and, when combined with blood thinners, may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. If you take blood thinners, it’s best to avoid large amounts of coffee and tea and let your doctor know about your habits.

Cold and Allergy Medicines

Many cold and allergy medicines contain stimulants like pseudoephedrine. Coffee and tea also contain caffeine, which is another stimulant. Taking these medicines with coffee or tea can make side effects like restlessness, insomnia, and an increased heart rate worse. People with high blood pressure or heart problems should be especially careful.

Heart Medicines

Certain heart medicines can interact with coffee and tea. For example, caffeine can reduce the effectiveness of beta-blockers like propranolol, making it harder to control blood pressure. Some statins may have increased side effects when taken with green tea. Calcium channel blockers like verapamil can slow down how your body breaks down caffeine, leading to more side effects from caffeine such as headaches or a fast heartbeat.

References:
University Hospitals
Medical News Today
MDLinx
Drugs.com
WebMD

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional if you experience any of these symptoms.

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