Medicine

Even with one sip: these medications should not be taken with coffee

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Many people start their day not only with a cup of coffee, but also with taking pills. It is tempting to take your medications with a sip of an invigorating drink, but this should not be done.

Medicines should be taken only with water, doctors urge. Some drugs are simply dangerous to mix with coffee, says a study published in The Health.

Thyroid pills.Drinking coffee while taking thyroid medication may reduce the absorption of the medication, making it less effective. Coffee may reduce drug absorption by more than half, study says.

Thyroid diseases:

  • Thyrotoxicosis
  • Non-toxic goiter
  • Diffuse goiter
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Pituitary adenoma


Colds and allergies Medicines for these often contain CNS stimulants such as pseudoephedrine. The caffeine contained in your morning drink is also a powerful stimulant. Side effects may occur: nervousness, increased excitability.

Diabetes Medicines Mixing coffee with sugar or milk can cause your blood sugar levels to spike and affect the effectiveness of your diabetes medicine. Research suggests that caffeine may worsen symptoms in people with diabetes.

Antidepressants. Coffee may reduce the amount of medication your body absorbs. It also causes insomnia and rapid heartbeat. It is best to take the medicine and drink coffee later or avoid it altogether.

Medicines for the treatment of asthma. Coffee can increase the side effects of bronchodilators: headache; anxiety; abdominal pain; irritability.

Doctors also advise refraining from coffee when taking pills for Alzheimer's disease, hypertension (here it is better not to drink it at all), when taking antipsychotic drugs and melatonin.

Coffee increases the metabolism of calcium and its excretion from the body, increases the rate of bone loss, reducing bone density in the elderly – there is a risk of fractures. In large doses it causes nervous exhaustion.

There is a lot of data on how coffee affects the body. Many scientists are inclined to believe that it does much more good than harm. Moderate consumption of natural coffee without sugar reduces overall mortality and also reduces the risk of certain types of cancer – oral cavity, endometrium, intestines and skin.

Read also: Gastroenterologist Pomoinetskaya: how to replace coffee during exacerbations of the gastrointestinal tract

More on the topic: Important for hypertensive patients: what is persistently high blood pressure

You can read: Endocrinologist Kvasova: adequate sleep affects weight and is important for the central nervous system

Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.