Coffee is a key part of the morning routine for most people, but taking certain medications with coffee can lead to serious side effects and complications.

Pharmacists have revealed to the Daily Mail the most common drugs taken that can interact with coffee and other caffeinated drinks.

Antidepressant drugs

If taken with coffee, they can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure. This is especially true of the older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which prevent the body from properly metabolizing caffeine. There are no known interactions between caffeine and newer antidepressants.

Cold and allergy medicine

Over-the-counter cold and allergy medications often contain the stimulant pseudoephedrine, which constricts blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce swelling and congestion.

However, pseudoephedrine stimulates the cells in the brain that are responsible for the response that keeps us ready to flee when we are under threat. Drinking coffee with such drugs can worsen these symptoms and make us nervous and anxious.

Medicines for diabetes

Although insulin does not interact directly with caffeine, it is not good to drink it with coffee. Blood sugar will rise after drinking coffee, which makes the drug less effective. Drinking anything with caffeine can raise insulin and blood sugar levels, according to a study by the American Diabetes Association.

Antibiotics

They can inhibit the metabolism of caffeine, leading to increased levels of caffeine in the blood. This is especially true for ciprofloxacin, which is commonly prescribed for bacterial infections, such as urinary tract and bladder infections, infectious diarrhea, and sinus infections. Taking this medicine with coffee can lead to an increased heart rate and a feeling of nervousness.

Blood thinning drugs

Caffeine can prevent blood thinners from breaking down. This is especially dangerous because an overdose of the drug can result in excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries such as a paper cut.

Blood pressure drugs

Beta-blockers lower the heart rate, and if we drink coffee or caffeinated beverages, the heart rate increases and, ultimately, blood pressure increases. Thus, caffeine does not directly interact with the drug, but suppresses its effectiveness.

Medicines for the thyroid gland

A 2020 study found that the body absorbs less of the hypothyroid drug when taken with any type of food or water. In particular, if you drink the drug with caffeine, the absorption rate decreases by up to 50 percent.

Alzheimer's drugs

Medicines to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, called cholinesterase inhibitors, prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps form memory and thinking.

However, taking these drugs with coffee strengthens the blood-brain barrier, making it difficult for the drug to reach the brain.

Drugs for osteoporosis

Similar to thyroid medication, taking these medications with coffee can cause the body to absorb them properly, making them less effective.

Asthma drugs

Mixing bronchodilators such as aminophylline and theophylline with coffee can worsen the drug's side effects, such as nervousness and restlessness.

Medications for ADHD

ADHD medications help regulate neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, to improve focus, attention and impulse control. However, when taken with coffee, the drugs are less effective and may lead to increased hyperactivity.

Antipsychotics

They are usually prescribed for serious medical conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They work by regulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin to relieve symptoms such as hallucinations. Coffee can reduce the amount of medicine the body absorbs, so patients should avoid hot drinks altogether.