Coffee and Medication: Interactions You Should Know About

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, thanks to caffeine, which provides an energetic start to the day. However, in some cases, your favorite drink may interact with certain medications, reducing their effectiveness or increasing side effects. For this reason, it’s best to avoid taking some medicines directly with coffee.

1. Painkillers

Some over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Panadol or paracetamol, contain added caffeine. Drinking coffee alongside them speeds up drug absorption by increasing stomach acidity and emptying, which helps the painkillers act faster. However, this combination can also raise the risk of side effects like stomach irritation or bleeding—especially if combined with other caffeine sources. Caution is advised.

2. Heart Medications

Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate for 3–4 hours after consumption. If you take medication for high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat, coffee may reduce the drug’s effectiveness.

This does not mean people with heart conditions must avoid coffee completely, but monitoring its impact on symptoms and considering decaffeinated options may be wise.

3. Antidepressants

The interaction between caffeine and psychiatric medications can be more complex. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline and citalopram, are widely used to treat depression and anxiety. Lab studies suggest caffeine may bind to these drugs in the stomach, reducing their absorption and potentially limiting effectiveness.

4. Cold and Flu Medications

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in many cold and flu medications, is also a stimulant. When taken together, the effects may overlap—causing restlessness, headaches, insomnia, or rapid heartbeat.

Since many cold medicines already contain added caffeine, this risk can increase further. Some research also shows that combining caffeine with pseudoephedrine may raise blood sugar levels and body temperature, which is especially important for people with diabetes.