Most of us understand the modern routine – a few seconds of scrolling your social media feed followed by a fresh cup of coffee the size of a small bucket. However, this daily ritual has been questioned after concerns arose regarding its safety in combination with other drugs.
The main case being studied is the combination of coffee, or any other caffeinated beverage, and the medicine Prilosec. Despite the prevalence, there isn’t a consensus on whether this mix is safe for the body.
Dr. Adam Cates, an internal medicine specialist at Northwestern University, says that the effects of the two products in their purest forms are different and can cause either benign or severe adverse reactions. “Caffeine is a stimulant while Prilosec works as an anti-ulcer medication to reduce acid in the stomach,” he says.
He adds that despite the fact that they have different mechanisms of action, they affect the same area – the lower stomach – which makes a reaction more likely. Taking Prilosec binds free acid in the stomach and taking too much caffeine right after introduction will irritate and increase acid production again.
Other experts agree and propose a certain order for consuming these substances. Jason Simpson, a pharmacist in Baltimore, sees it as a common rule for all types of drugs and stimulants and recommends waiting 30 to 45 minutes after taking any sort of medication before drinking caffeine.
Unfortunately, even this isn’t enough in certain cases – particularly if people have underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer. Dr. Cates says that drinking a caffeinated beverage right after taking Prilosec in such a situation can lead to severe adverse reactions since patients may already be taking multiple other drugs that mix dangerously with caffeine.
“It’s important for these patients to talk to and consult their doctor about their habits and to always speak for professional advice before taking any sort of medicine,” he recommends.
Nutrition and Prilosec
Despite the majority of experts recommending avoiding the combination, there are some signs that it doesn’t have to spell disaster. According to Patricia Wilkinson, a nutritionist from New York City, the main enemy is not so much the caffeine, but the specific food that we are eating in combination with the medication, Prilosec.
She says that spices, acidic to oily food, and dairy consume nutrients which might interact with the components of the drug and this can lead to even worse side-effects than just taking the two substances in isolation.
“People who are taking Prilosec should be mindful of the type of food they are putting on their plate since the last thing you want to do is risk potential damage to your stomach by adding spices, high-sugar products, or dairy in their daily meals.”
Her advice is backed up by the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research who recently conducted a study that concluded that “[…] health professionals should guide and recommend patients to have a balanced diet along with Prilosec by eliminating certain harmful substances that trigger its danger.”
The Rise of Coffee Consumption
Despite the warnings, coffee consumption appears to be on the rise. According to Statista, the coffee industry has grown steadily for the past decade with an annual growth rate of 2.5% and its worth is currently estimated at around $25.2 billion.
A large percentage of this growth has been linked to the rise of “coffee culture” or what can be described as large coffee-consuming communities around the world. As coffee culture grows larger and larger, many don’t always know the potential harmful implications of its consumption – i.e. in combination with Prilosec.
Experts are concerned that most people are unaware of the combination of the two substances since it can manifest in multiple ways – from abdominal pain to even vomiting and dizziness.
John Smith, a medical expert from the Harvard Medical School, is one of those who are worried. “People need to be aware of the risks of combining caffeine and Prilosec – there can be adverse reactions, from mild to very severe forms of sickness and most people don’t take this into consideration when ordering coffee in the morning,” he says.
Side Effects of the Combination
Although the type of combined side-effects will vary from patient to patient, the main ones are headaches, nausea and chest pain. As part of their advice, doctors usually recommend patients to try alternative forms of caffeine intake.
Dr. Wilma Ng, a gastrointestinal specialist from the University of California, Los Angeles, references studies that directly linked coffee consumption to a higher level of stomach irritation, especially right after taking Prilosec.
“The reason why caffeine is particularly harmful here is because it is a stimulant and it acts directly on the stomach. Its pharmacological components can increase acid production, which is counter-productive in cases of some drugs such as Prilosec,” she says.
Her advice is echoed in multiple different studies and she adds that other alternatives, such as herbal teas, don’t have the same risk associated with them. “Herbal teas are a great and healthier alternative to coffee and are also very common in many cultures around the world,” she says.
Availability of Coffee Alternatives
Despite their risks, many people are turning their back to coffee and trying out healthier options such as herbal teas and energy drinks. There have been multiple reports from shops and restaurants that indicate that sales of herbal teas have increased significantly around the world for the past few years.
Also, massive companies, such as Nestle, are investing heavily in the alternative-energy drink sector and, despite less demand, they believe that this product can bring an alternative to people who want to avoid the combination of caffeine and drugs.
In any case, some alternative drinks still contain caffeine so it is important to read the label before drinking them. Maria Floriz, a dietician from Cambridge, recommends patients to always read the labels of any product they are consuming in order to avoid any potential side-effects.
“People should also understand that alternatives don’t always mean healthier. Alternative drinks still contain small doses of caffeine and sugar, and this is always worth remembering before drinking, she says.”
Caffeine Allergy vs. Drug Interaction
Finally, there are cases where people don’t suffer the adverse effects due to a combination of food or drinks, but because they are allergic to caffeine. As part of their advice, doctors explain that being allergic and having a reaction to medication are two different things.
Dr. Ian Stone, an allergist from Texas, explains that allergies to caffeine and drug interactions can lead to similar symptoms but their causes are totally different. “Caffeine allergy is an immune response to the introduction of stimuli whereas a drug reaction is more due to pharmacological factors,” he says.
He adds that it is important to understand the difference because allergists can only treat the allergic reaction, which is related to vaccination and certain nutrition, but cannot do anything about the reaction to medication.
Consequently, allergists advise that people with existing conditions related to caffeine consumption should always consult their doctor first before taking any sort of drug. They also add that, if you do consume caffeine in the morning, it is always better to wait 45 minutes after taking Prilosec before grabbing your cup of coffee.
Caffeine Tolerance and Prilosec
One of the main issues in understanding caffeine tolerance is that everyone’s body reacts differently to the caffeine-Prilosec mix so there is no standard answer to this question. While some patients can feel mild symptoms after combining the two, others may experience severe pain and by the time they reach a medical specialist, the damage will already have been done.
Dr. Evans Laplante, a pharmacologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains that symptoms may vary from complex to mild cases. “There are many factors that might affect this, from genetics to existing conditions, so it’s hard for us to pinpoint the exact reason why one person might be more tolerant than the other,” he explains.
This means that everyone should take extra precautions when drinking any sort of caffeinated beverage after taking Prilosec as the risk is always there. Also, people should also consider other alternatives if they fear they might have negative symptoms due to their own specific tolerance.
Final Analysis on Drinking Coffee After Taking Prilosec
It’s obvious that coffee is still a popular choice for many people and its consumption has increased the past few years. However, the combination of coffee and Prilosec has been linked to multiple adverse reactions, so it is important to take safety measures to avoid any potential risks.
Dr. Sharon Rowley, an internist from the University of Arizona, believes that the best way to make sure you’re not putting your health in danger is to talk to your doctor. She recommends to “always speak to a medical expert first before drinking a caffeinated beverage or any product that could interact with the drug you are taking.”
Only after long and deep conversations can we understand if the combination of coffee and Prilosec is valid for our own bodies and how we can adapt our diets or habits in order to be on the safe side.
