Does drinking advil with coffee affect your health?
Advil, also known as ibuprofen, is an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to relieve pain, reduce fever and reduce inflammation. Coffee is a popular beverage and widely consumed throughout the world. With these two popular and widely available products, some people have wondered: Is it alright to drink Advil with coffee?
The short answer is that if you are healthy and you take Advil exactly as recommended, you can consume such combination in moderation with no major concerns. However, before you choose to use this combination for extra energy, there are a few things you must consider.
The main risk associated with drinking Advil with coffee is due to caffeine’s ability to increase the effects of ibuprofen. Caffeine can both potentiate and increase the risk of Advil’s side effects such as nausea, stomach problems, indigestion, and fatigue. Therefore, drinking too much coffee can make the existing side effects of Advil more serious or unbearable.
According to the Advil bottle’s label, adults can take up to a maximum of six tablets in any 24 hour period – one tablet every four to six hours. Any more than that amount can raise blood pressure levels and put added pressure on the kidneys and liver, as well as increase the risk of side effects. Also, if any underlying health concerns are present, then drinking Advil should be done only with your doctor’s knowledge and guidance.
Caffeine can also increase the speed of absorption of ibuprofen as well as other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This may mean that the drug will be consumed too quickly, which can both reduce the efficiency of the medication and potentially increase the risk of symptoms and reactions such as dizziness, rash, fatigue and more.
Another potential concern of combining Advil with coffee is the potential for dehydration. The diuretic action of caffeine increases the amount of urine your body produces and can actually take away more fluids than you ingest. That, plus the Advil’s potential for dehydration, can mean problems for people who don’t stay properly hydrated with pure water.
Can drinking advil with caffeine be beneficial?
Although typically not recommended, studies have shown that drinking advil with caffeine can have its benefits. As both Advil and caffeine have been demonstrated to have pain-relieving and soothing effects, many people believe the combination of caffeine and ibuprofen can create an even stronger pain-relieving effect.
In a study conducted at State University of New York, a combination of 200mg of caffeine with 400 mg of ibuprofen proved to be more successful than 400 mg ibuprofen alone in reducing tension headaches. This demonstrates that combination of caffeine and ibuprofen might create a more powerful and faster-acting analgesic effect than taking ibuprofen by itself.
On the other hand, it is important to note the potential risks that come with this combination. This combination of caffeine and ibuprofen can increase one’s heart rate and cause higher levels of calcium in the blood. Furthermore, if one is taking other medications, such as warfarin, the combination of caffeine and ibuprofen can further cause adverse effects. As such, it is very important to speak to your doctor if you are considering taking both caffeine and ibuprofen together.
What are the alternatives to taking advil with caffeine?
Although combination of advil and caffeine has the potential to have beneficial effects, it is important to be aware of the potential risks. Therefore, prior to taking such combination it is important to always check with your doctor, especially if you are taking other medicines.
In addition, there are other alternatives to taking advil with caffeine. If you plan on a quick way of relieving your headache and have access to natural herbal remedies, then you can try ginger, mint, turmeric, and cloves. All of these herbs have considerable anti-inflammatories and pain-relieving properties that can help you with your headache.
Furthermore, many people opt for physical activity as an alternative to taking advil with caffeine for migraine relief. This includes deep breathing, exercising, yoga and meditation — all these activities help to loosen tight muscles, reduce hard-to-control spasms and decrease levels of stress hormones that may trigger migraines. Additionally, physiotherapists may recommend specific types of exercise and lifestyle changes.
Does drinking advil with caffeine come with any long-term risks?
Although the combination of advil and caffeine can have benefits in terms of pain relief, it is important to be aware of the long-term risks. According to the World Health Organization, longterm use of ibuprofen or aspirin, can lead to gastrointestinal issues, including stomach ulcers and bleeding. Furthermore, frequent consumption of advil for long periods of time can decrease the effectiveness of the drug over time, and may lead to the reliance of other more dangerous drugs.
In terms of caffeine, although it may provide with a quick burst of energy, it can also lead to heart palpitations and irritability when consumed over long periods of time. In fact, too much caffeine can even lead to insomnia, increased blood pressure and increased levels of anxiety.
Moreover, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, and drinking advil with coffee can be a recipe for disaster and increase the risk of indigestion, poor sleep and elevated heart rate. As such, it is important to first consult with a doctor if you are considering consuming advil with caffeine on a long-term basis.
What measures do you need to take while drinking advil with caffeine?
Although the combination of advil and caffeine can have some potential benefits, it is important to take certain precautionary measures if you choose to take this combination. The first and foremost is to always consult with your doctor to ensure that the combination is safe for you to use. Moreover, it is important to stay within the recommended dosage of Advil and caffeine.
In terms of Advil, the recommended dosage is to take 1 tablet of 200mg every 4-6 hours, with a maximum of 6 tablets in any 24 hour period. As for caffeine, the recommended amount is to not exceed 400mg of caffeine daily, assuming that an energy drink or coffee provides 95mg of caffeine per 12oz serving.
In addition, it is important to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of dehydration. Dehydration can occur due to a combination of caffeine and ibuprofen, thus it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Furthermore, people who have kidney or heart problems should be very careful while taking advil with caffeine as it might put additional pressures on those organs. People who are prescribed with blood thinners such as warfarin or antiarrhythmic drugs such as digoxin should also stay away from advil with caffeine as it may be quite dangerous for them.
Can drinking advil with caffeine be helpful for athletes?
The combination of caffeine and ibuprofen has been used by athletes for many years. Studies have showed that athletes who take advil with caffeine can experience improved performance, increased strength, and less muscle pain after competing.
Caffeine is considered to be a stimulant and can help to increase physical and mental alertness, thus making it more effective in enhancing athletic performance. Furthermore, caffeine is known to increase the access of glucose to the brain and muscles, thus providing additional physical and mental energy during workouts.
In terms of ibuprofen, it works to reduce muscle soreness and tendonitis, which can be very helpful for athletes looking to improve or maintain their performance. In fact, in a research study conducted at the University of South Alabama, it has been found that ibuprofen was more effective at improving muscle strength and reducing soreness than placebo in athletes.
Although the combination of advil with caffeine can have its benefits in terms of improved performance and less muscle pain and soreness, there are still risks that come with it, as too much ibuprofen can be unsafe and even dangerous. As such, if an athlete is getting ready for an important game or competition, it is important to discuss the appropriate dosage and frequency of ibuprofen with a doctor beforehand.
When is it not safe to drink advil with caffeine?
The combination of advil and caffeine is not safe for everyone. Before taking ibuprofen with caffeine, it is important to consult with your doctor to ensure that it is safe for you to do so. Generally, it is not recommended for people with certain health concerns to take advil with caffeine, such as people with high blood pressure, kidney problems or heart problems.
In addition, it is important to pay attention to any signs of side-effects while taking ibuprofen with caffeine. Common side-effects may include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness, rash, and fatigue. Moreover, long-term regular use of ibuprofen can lead to risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding, as well as worsening of other medical conditions.
In the case of people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is especially important to seek medical advice before taking advil with caffeine. This is because ibuprofen can cross the placenta, potentially causing harm to the foetus or baby. As such, it is generally not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women to take advil with caffeine.
