Most cold medications contain stimulants, which, if taken alongside caffeine, can lead to heightened side effects. It’s recommended that you avoid caffeine if you’re taking any medications for a cold or flu.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant commonly found in beverages such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some sodas. When mixed with other stimulants, such as cold and flu medications, it can lead to increased side effects, such as restlessness, headaches, and nausea.
Learn more about the interactions between caffeine and cold medications, alternative options, and when you should speak with a doctor.
Cold medications contain ingredients such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can help to reduce nasal congestion and allow you to breathe more easily.
However, these ingredients are also active stimulants, which can affect your central nervous system and lead to side effects such as:
Other stimulants, such as caffeine, can affect the way a drug is absorbed and processed in the body. This can make the medication itself less efficient, and any side effects may become heightened.
For example, feeling nervous or restless may grow into feelings of anxiety and jitteriness.
In some cases, drinking large amounts of caffeine with medications can lead to serious complications such as:
Additionally, some pain relievers may already contain caffeine, and if consumed with a beverage such as coffee, can increase the risk of further complications.
There’s no set time as to when you can resume drinking caffeine after taking your medication. Some healthcare professionals recommend waiting at least 1 hour after you take your medication. This can help to limit any negative interactions and ensure the drug can work effectively.
A healthcare professional can help you determine the best time to take your medication and if and when it’s safe to also consume caffeine.
If you have a cold or flu, try swapping out your morning coffee for beverages such as noncaffeinated herbal teas. While it may not have the same energy kick, it can provide additional nutrients that can help to soothe and manage cold symptoms.
Non-caffeinated herbal teas that can help to combat cold symptoms include:
- Ginger and honey tea: Both ginger and honey are effective anti-inflammatories that can help to reduce cold symptoms, such as sore throat and joint pain. You can make this tea by chopping up some fresh ginger and seeping it into hot water for several minutes. Add a teaspoon of honey, and enjoy!
- Lemon tea: Lemons contain vitamin C, which can help reduce cold symptoms, such as a sore throat. This drink may be particularly beneficial before bed, as it can help reduce nasal congestion and aid in a better night’s sleep. Lemon tea is made by adding fresh lemon slices or lemon juice to water. It can be consumed hot or cold.
- Elderberry tea: Elderberries are a medicinal plant that has been used for centuries to cure cold and flu symptoms, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, elderberries can be dangerous to consume if they’re not properly ripe. Therefore, it’s recommended to opt for store-bought elderberry teabags, which still contain many nutritional benefits.
Drinking herbal teas can also help increase your water consumption, which can be beneficial if you have a cold.
If you have taken cold or flu medication and experience any of the following side effects, it’s important to seek immediate medical support:
- heart palpitations that are not stopping or keep coming back
- a high temperature (above
100.4 °F or 38°C ) - skin discoloration or the appearance of pustules (pus-filled bumps)
- sudden nausea or vomiting
If you do experience any of the above symptoms, it’s important to stop taking the medication right away.
Can you take cold medicine and caffeine?
Coffee can cause negative interactions, such as heightened anxiety and nausea, when taken with cold medications, and so it should be avoided.
How long after taking medicine can I drink coffee?
There’s no set time as to when you can resume drinking caffeine after taking your medication. A healthcare professional can help you determine the best time to take your medication and if and when it is safe to also consume caffeine.
Most cold medications contain stimulants, which, if taken alongside caffeine, can affect the way a drug is absorbed and processed in the body.
This can mean the medication itself may be less efficient, and any side effects may become heightened. For example, feeling nervous or restless may grow into feelings of anxiety and jitteriness.
It’s recommended that you avoid caffeine if you’re taking any medications for a cold or flu.
A healthcare professional can help you determine the best time to take your medication and if and when it’s safe to consume caffeine.