Meta Information
ID:caffeine
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
8
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, which are crucial for promoting sleepiness, thereby delaying sleep onset and reducing sleep quality.
Actionable advice:
Avoid consuming caffeine for at least 8 hours before your intended bedtime.
Target id:
/class/fluoroquinolones
Target name:
Quinolone Antibiotics (e.g., Ciprofloxacin)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Certain quinolone antibiotics strongly inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme, which is responsible for metabolizing caffeine, leading to dangerously high caffeine levels, anxiety, and palpitations.
Actionable advice:
Avoid caffeine completely while taking quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin.
Target id:
/intervention/fluvoxamine
Target name:
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Fluvoxamine is a potent inhibitor of the CYP1A2 enzyme, drastically slowing caffeine metabolism and increasing its concentration and side effects.
Actionable advice:
Avoid caffeine completely while taking fluvoxamine.
Target id:
/intervention/clozapine
Target name:
Clozapine
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine inhibits the metabolism of clozapine via the CYP1A2 enzyme, which can lead to a toxic buildup of the medication.
Actionable advice:
Avoid or strictly limit caffeine intake when taking clozapine and consult your doctor.
Target id:
/intervention/tizanidine
Target name:
Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine inhibits the CYP1A2 enzyme, which can increase tizanidine levels by over 10-fold, leading to severe low blood pressure and sedation.
Actionable advice:
Avoid caffeine completely while taking tizanidine.
Target id:
/class/stimulants
Target name:
Sympathomimetic Stimulants (e.g., Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Combining caffeine with other stimulants like ephedrine can cause excessive nervous system stimulation, leading to dangerously high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and increased risk of stroke.
Actionable advice:
Do not combine caffeine with stimulant medications like ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
High caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and other developmental issues as it crosses the placenta.
Actionable advice:
Strictly limit caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day, or avoid completely, during pregnancy.
Target id:
/dietary/alcohol-acute
Target name:
Alcohol
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine masks the sedative effects of alcohol, creating a 'wide-awake drunk' state that can lead to overconsumption, impaired judgment, and increased risk-taking behaviors.
Actionable advice:
Avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol together, especially in mixed drinks.
Target id:
/procedure/cardiac-stress-test
Target name:
Pharmacologic Cardiac Stress Test (Adenosine, Dipyridamole)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
assay_interference
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
24
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, directly interfering with the action of drugs like adenosine and dipyridamole used to simulate exercise during a cardiac stress test, making the test inaccurate.
Actionable advice:
Avoid all caffeine for at least 24 hours before a scheduled pharmacologic cardiac stress test.
Target id:
/intervention/levothyroxine_systemic_disease
Target name:
Levothyroxine
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
1
Description:
Consuming coffee or other caffeinated beverages at the same time as levothyroxine can significantly reduce its absorption from the gut, lowering its effectiveness.
Actionable advice:
Take levothyroxine at least 60 minutes before or after consuming caffeine.
Target id:
/intervention/bisphosphonates
Target name:
Bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Caffeine, particularly in coffee, can drastically reduce the absorption of oral bisphosphonates used for osteoporosis, rendering them ineffective.
Actionable advice:
Separate bisphosphonate doses from caffeine consumption by at least 2 hours.
Target id:
/condition/anxiety-disorder
Target name:
Anxiety or Panic Disorders
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine's stimulant properties can mimic or worsen symptoms of anxiety, such as palpitations, nervousness, and restlessness, and may trigger panic attacks in susceptible individuals.
Actionable advice:
Avoid caffeine if you have an anxiety or panic disorder.
Target id:
/condition/hepatic-impairment
Target name:
Hepatic Impairment
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The liver is the primary site of caffeine metabolism; severe liver disease significantly prolongs caffeine's half-life, increasing the risk of toxicity and side effects.
Actionable advice:
Avoid caffeine if you have significant liver impairment.
Target id:
/intervention/theophylline
Target name:
Theophylline
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine and theophylline are both methylxanthines; taking them together results in additive effects and increased risk of toxicity, including nausea, vomiting, and rapid heart rate.
Actionable advice:
Avoid or strictly limit caffeine intake while taking theophylline.
Target id:
/class/maois
Target name:
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine can have a mild pressor effect (increasing blood pressure), which can be dangerously potentiated when combined with MAOIs, increasing the risk of a hypertensive crisis.
Actionable advice:
Use caffeine with extreme caution or avoid it completely if you are taking an MAOI.
Target id:
/class/benzodiazepines
Target name:
Benzodiazepines
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine's central nervous system stimulant effects directly oppose the sedative and anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines, potentially reducing their therapeutic efficacy.
Actionable advice:
Avoid caffeine when using benzodiazepines for sedation or anxiety relief.
Target id:
/intervention/lithium
Target name:
Lithium
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine has a diuretic effect that increases the renal clearance of lithium, which can lower lithium levels in the blood and reduce its effectiveness for managing bipolar disorder.
Actionable advice:
Maintain a consistent daily caffeine intake and consult your doctor if you plan to change it.
Target id:
/intervention/l-theanine
Target name:
L-Theanine
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
L-Theanine promotes relaxation and alpha brain waves, which counteracts the jitteriness and anxiety sometimes caused by caffeine, leading to a state of calm, focused alertness.
Actionable advice:
Take L-Theanine at the same time as caffeine for enhanced cognitive benefits.
Target id:
/intervention/exercise
Target name:
Exercise
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Caffeine is a well-established ergogenic aid that can improve physical performance, increase endurance, and reduce the perception of effort during exercise.
Actionable advice:
Consume caffeine approximately 30-60 minutes before a workout for optimal performance benefits.
Target id:
/intervention/iron-bisglycinate
Target name:
Iron Supplements
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Tannins present in coffee and tea, often consumed with caffeine, can bind to non-heme iron in the gut, significantly reducing its absorption.
Actionable advice:
Separate iron supplement doses from coffee or tea by at least 1-2 hours.
Target id:
/class/estrogens
Target name:
Estrogens and Progestins (Hormonal Therapy & Contraceptives)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Estrogen-containing medications can inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme, slowing the metabolism of caffeine and potentially increasing its effects and side effects like jitteriness.
Actionable advice:
Be mindful of increased caffeine sensitivity and consider reducing intake while on oral contraceptives.
Target id:
/intervention/echinacea
Target name:
Echinacea
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Echinacea can inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme, slowing down the breakdown of caffeine and increasing the risk of side effects like nervousness and headache.
Actionable advice:
Use caution and consider reducing caffeine intake when taking echinacea supplements.
Target id:
/condition/peptic-ulcer-disease
Target name:
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) or GERD
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine stimulates the secretion of gastric acid, which can worsen the symptoms of peptic ulcers, gastritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Actionable advice:
Avoid caffeine if you have active PUD or severe GERD, especially on an empty stomach.
Target id:
/condition/cardiac-arrhythmia
Target name:
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
As a stimulant, caffeine can increase heart rate and may trigger or worsen certain types of heart rhythm disturbances in susceptible individuals.
Actionable advice:
Consult your cardiologist about safe caffeine consumption if you have a history of arrhythmias.
Target id:
/intervention/creatine_systemic_healthspan
Target name:
Creatine
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
1
Description:
Conflicting evidence suggests that co-ingestion of high-dose caffeine may blunt the ergogenic benefits of creatine loading, possibly due to opposing effects on muscle relaxation time or GI distress.
Actionable advice:
Consider separating creatine and caffeine intake by at least an hour if you notice reduced benefits.
Target id:
/intervention/tobacco-smoking
Target name:
Tobacco Smoking
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke are potent inducers of the CYP1A2 enzyme, which can more than double the speed of caffeine metabolism, reducing its effects.
Actionable advice:
Be aware that you may need more caffeine for the same effect if you smoke, and may need to reduce intake if you quit.
Target id:
/intervention/saint-johns-wort
Target name:
Saint John's Wort
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
St. John's Wort can induce metabolic enzymes, including CYP1A2, potentially speeding up the clearance of caffeine and reducing its duration of action.
Actionable advice:
You may notice a reduced effect from caffeine when taking St. John's Wort.
Target id:
/intervention/calcium-citrate
Target name:
Calcium Supplements
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine can slightly increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which over the long term could impact bone health if dietary calcium intake is insufficient.
Actionable advice:
Ensure adequate daily calcium intake if you are a regular high-dose caffeine consumer.
Target id:
/intervention/magnesium
Target name:
Magnesium Supplements
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Caffeine acts as a mild diuretic and can increase the urinary excretion of magnesium, potentially contributing to lower magnesium levels over time.
Actionable advice:
Ensure adequate daily magnesium intake if you are a regular high-dose caffeine consumer.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
In theory, very high doses of caffeine might have a mild antiplatelet effect, which could add to the effects of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, but this is not considered clinically significant at normal doses.
Actionable advice:
No specific action is needed with normal caffeine intake, but avoid excessive consumption.