The Common Medications You're Probably Taking With Coffee And Shouldn't Be

From eggs and cereal to doughnuts and dessert, countless foods go well with coffee. But the same can't be said for pairing java with some prescribed and over-the-counter drugs, often because of the caffeine. "It's important to tell your doctor about your caffeine intake because it can interfere with medications," said medical expert Dr. Nerissa Fernandes (via American Medical Association). 

Take common cold remedies that contain fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine, for instance. These medications are a dream if you're feeling sick because they stop troublesome symptoms like nasal congestion and sneezing. However, the caffeine (a stimulant) in coffee can cause unintended responses when combined with them, including a rise in your blood pressure.

There's another reason why you should avoid taking these common medications with coffee at all costs. When mixed, pseudoephedrine and caffeine can lead to other reactions as well, according to toxicologist Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor (via Prevention). Dr. Johnson-Arbor noted that "taking these drugs simultaneously can result in an increased risk of unwanted stimulant-related side effects, including anxiety, tremors, and heart palpitations."

Are you taking levothyroxine to address an underactive thyroid? It's a common treatment that works for many of the 5% of people in the United States whose thyroids don't function normally (via National Institutes of Health). However, levothyroxine might not work as effectively if you take it with coffee because some studies have shown that the presence of caffeine may reduce the bioavailability of levothyroxine.

A 2021 review in Pharmaceuticals investigated studies on possible foods and nutrients that might suppress the absorption rate of levothyroxine. The review found some evidence that coffee might interfere with the way levothyroxine works. Consequently, a recommendation to make sure of a "proper time interval" between the timing of levothyroxine and coffee consumption was noted. Though "proper" was not defined, many of the studies suggested a one-hour wait time between the medication and coffee.

Millions of people live with elevated blood pressure, a condition that's been linked to heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, beta-blockers such as propranolol and metoprolol can help bring blood pressure to normal, healthier levels. 

But if you're on either of those types of drugs, you may need to be careful about how much coffee you drink per day. The more caffeine you drink, the more likely your blood pressure may climb, especially if you drink more caffeine than normal. Although this response is temporary, it negates the blood-pressure-lowering effect of beta-blockers.

This doesn't mean you can't regularly indulge in coffee. You just might need to talk with your doctor first to make sure you're cleared to have caffeine while you're on a beta-blocker drug. Or, you could switch to decaffeinated coffee, which contains approximately 97% less caffeine than caffeinated coffee, according to the National Coffee Association.

Strong bones are a key to avoiding bone breaks, a stooped posture, bone pain, and other warning signs of osteoporosis. Although eating foods rich in bone-supporting calcium and exercising regularly can help strengthen bones, taking medications can be necessary for patients who already have osteoporosis. 

The class of drugs that are prescribed for treating osteoporosis is known as bisphosphonates. While some bisphosphonates can be taken intravenously, others are consumed as weekly or monthly pills. And if you take those pills, you'll want to take them without coffee, as the beverage blocks some of the absorption of the medication. 

A 2021 review in Foods highlighted one study's finding that coffee reduced bisphosphonate's absorption by as much as 60% when compared to the medication's absorption when taken with water; however, it also stressed that more research is needed. Still, it might be best to have at least a 30-minute wait between your bisphosphonate dose and your sip of dark roast.