Sometimes people are unaware of the potential health risks associated with eating or drinking certain things whilst on medication. A common medication which people need to be careful with is Omeprazole. With this medication, it’s important you are aware of what you can and can’t eat, especially if you typically enjoy beverages like coffee, which don’t always agree with different medications out there.
You can drink coffee after taking Omeprazole, but you should wait 30 minutes to an hour.Â
In this article, we want to delve into Omeprazole and make you aware of the potential health risks you may encounter if you mix this drug with other substances in your body.
What Is Omeprazole?
Omeprazole is a very commonly prescribed drug that treats stomach problems. For example, it is used to treat stomach ulcers and acid reflux.
It works in a spectacular way, by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces. If you suffer badly with these symptoms or even heartburn, then it could be worth reaching out to your doctor to be prescribed Omeprazole.
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which can be sold to you over the counter as well as prescribed. Once you have started on a course of Omeprazole, it’s best to give it a few days to start seeing improvements in your symptoms, especially if you are experiencing coughing, difficulty swallowing, chronic gastritis, GERD, etc.
Omeprazole is a medication that you swallow. It will come in a tablet or capsule form. Typically, if prescribed, you will take it once a day. You are able to consume it with food if you like, but it isn’t necessary. A course of Omeprazole will usually be between 4-8 weeks. After this time if you see no difference in your symptoms then you should consider going back to the doctors for further checks.
There are some known side effects from this drug, which include: headaches, diarrhoea and nausea.Â
Coffee After Taking Omeprazole
Coffee being one of the most common and enjoyable beverages in a person’s day to day life, it’s crucial that you are aware of the direct effects of drinking coffee whilst on Omeprazole medication.
Omeprazole actually affects your body’s capability of absorbing caffeine. In fact, it lowers it. Meaning that if you are someone who enjoys a coffee to get the energy pump, you aren’t going to get the same pump at all.Â
Many people have actually said that coffee makes their stomach symptoms worse. So if you are experiencing stomach pain or issues with your stomach ailments, it’s best to stay away from coffee or any caffeinated products. As an alternative you could try decaf coffee.
If avoiding coffee completely is not an option for you, then we recommend waiting at least half an hour after taking your medication before brewing up. This is for your own benefit and to lower your chances of having painful stomach problems whilst on Omeprazole as caffeine will in fact make GERD, gastritis, etc worse.
Should You Drink Coffee If You Have A Stomach Disease?
You shouldn’t, but it doesn’t mean you are putting yourself in serious harm from it because that simply isn’t the case. To summarise what we have mentioned above, you can drink coffee if you have a stomach disease, however to improve your symptoms and help yourself to feel better, we recommend avoiding it and finding alternatives like decaf coffee.
It may be the case that you don’t actually experience any additional symptoms after drinking coffee, which could suggest that you would be fine to carry on as normal, enjoying the best coffee money can buy. Everyone’s body reacts in a different way, it’s best to consult your doctor if you have any doubts.
The reason why we suggest waiting 30-60 minutes is because that is typically the timeframe Omeprazole takes to kick in. If you can stick to waiting, then it is advised you do. It may be the case that even hours after taking your medication you still experience enhanced side effects from drinking coffee, which is a sign that you shouldn’t drink it whilst on medication all together.
Potential Problems of Mixing Omeprazole With Coffee
Here are some potential side effects and problems you may encounter if you have a bad reaction from mixing Omeprazole and coffee, or taking them too close together.
- Coffee can increase the amount of acid that your stomach produces, which essentially means it is battling against what Omeprazole is there to help with.
- Coffee can irritate your stomach.
- Caffeine can have a negative effect on your stomach and GERD. It can contribute to heart burn and irritate your stomach lining.
When Not To Take Omeprazole
Although drinking coffee whilst taking Omeprazole is a difficult subject due to people reacting differently and not knowing whether caffeine has a direct affect on their symptoms, there are actually scenarios where you should not take Omeprazole all together. Here are some of the most common times when not to take it:
- If you experience bad side effects after taking Omeprazole, indicating you are having an allergic reaction to it.
- If you suffer from liver disease or have done so in the past.
- If you are pregnant.
- Certain illnesses require you to avoid Omeprazole.
- Low blood magnesium levels.
- If on other medications.
Can You Eat After Omeprazole?
Despite it not being a very good idea to drink high caffeinated drinks whilst on Omeprazole, you can still eat on it. You don’t need to wait any length of time to begin eating after taking your medication, simply eat when you feel hungry. If your symptoms worsen from this, it might be the type of food you are eating, so consider switching to something else.
Our Verdict
Coffee can worsen your symptoms relating to GERD, ulcers, gastritis, and other stomach problems. If you are on medication for any stomach ailments, then try to avoid coffee. If you feel this simply isn’t an option, then we recommend you wait between 30 minutes to an hour before having any high caffeinated drink, like coffee. This will help to significantly reduce any harsh side effects.