The first risk is that of drug interactions which impact the effectiveness of the treatment.
For many of us, the day doesn’t really begin until after the first sip of coffee. This morning ritual is essential for several physical and psychological reasons: it dispels the fog of sleep, stimulates dopamine in the brain and initiates motivation. But while coffee is often praised for its health benefits, particularly thanks to its richness in antioxidants, it does not go well with some of our medications.
The first drug interaction to be aware of concerns the probiotics that we take to treat our intestinal flora: “The drink is hot and will alter the absorption of the supplement at the intestinal level, therefore making it ineffective” warns Myriam Inaoui, doctor of pharmacy. This precaution also applies to tea consumption. Another classic interaction to absolutely avoid: coffee and iron tablets. Here, it is the components of coffee (notably the tannins) which “block iron absorption”as the expert points out, thus canceling the benefits of the cure for anemia.
Vigilance must be increased even more with daily treatments. Coffee increases blood pressure “there is a contraindication with antihypertensives”continues Dr. Inaoui. Taking them together can cause several side effects such as “palpitations, restlessness and tremors”. But the most critical medication is a treatment for thyroid disorders: L-thyroxine. Marketed under the name Levothyrox© in the treatment of hypothyroidism or after cancer, it requires special attention. Mixing this medication with coffee may reduce its absorption and therefore its effectiveness, potentially exposing the patient to a recurrence of symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain or mood swings.
Should we therefore ban morning coffee? Not necessarily. It’s all a question of timing, knowing that the objective is for the medication to have time to act. To avoid interfering with thyroid treatment, “you have to wait at least 30 minutes” after taking the pill to drink coffee. The rule is stricter for iron, which requires a longer break: “two hours minimum”informs the specialist.
In all cases, remember to look at the instructions for your medications. She generally mentions the contraindication with drinks like coffee. If in doubt, do not hesitate to ask a pharmacist. As a reminder, it is generally recommended not to exceed three to four cups of coffee per day.
