In matters of health, there are no small details. For medications to work properly, it is better to read the instructions carefully and follow the intake rules.
You have probably heard that many medications are best taken with plain water. However, the temptation to wash down pills with morning coffee in a rush to get to work can be great.
However, in some cases, the consequences of such a decision can be quite frightening. As pharmacist Ian Budd explained, there are medications that, when combined with coffee, can harm your health and even lead to a heart attack.
Cold Remedies
In pharmacies, you often find ready-made powders that promise to quickly relieve cold and flu symptoms. However, these medications often already contain caffeine to help the sick person cope with drowsiness.
When combined with coffee, these powders can overstimulate the nervous system, causing nervousness, rapid heartbeat, and hypertension.
By the way, decongestant nasal drops can also raise blood pressure. So, it’s best not to mix them with coffee.
Painkillers
Even the most harmless painkillers containing paracetamol should not be taken with coffee. These types of medications, especially with frequent use, can irritate the stomach lining.
Coffee will enhance this effect, provoke heartburn, and in the worst-case scenario, such a combination can trigger peritonitis.
Hypertension Medications
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, if you have been prescribed medications for it, you should not ignore your doctor's recommendations.
Often, ACE inhibitors are prescribed for high blood pressure, which help blood vessels relax and expand.
However, when combined with coffee, these medications may not relax the vessels enough, increasing the load on the heart and significantly raising the risk of a heart attack.
Antidepressants
Some antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are metabolized by the same liver enzyme as caffeine. If you wash down such pills with an energizing drink, the medication will leave the body more slowly. This will intensify all unpleasant side effects: anxiety, insomnia, and rapid heartbeat.
If you drink too much coffee in combination with antidepressants, you can push your body into serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include confusion, severe agitation, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and increased sweating.
If you experience these signs, it is best to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Osteoporosis Medications
Caffeine can interfere with the absorption of osteoporosis medications. Additionally, coffee also hinders the absorption of calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for strong bones. As a result, the risk of fractures significantly increases, which is particularly dangerous for older individuals.
For this reason, some patients with osteoporosis are advised by doctors to completely avoid coffee or at least wait half an hour after taking their pills before drinking their morning Americano. This way, you will better feel the effect of the medication, reports the Daily Mail.
