There’s been a lot of good news lately about coffee’s health
benefits, how it protects against cancer and other diseases, but
America’s favorite wake-up drink can also keep some common
medications from working properly. With some of these drugs, the
interaction is caused by caffeine; with others, its coffee’s
other compounds that seem to be having an effect. Studies show
that drugs like antidepressants, thyroid medication and
osteoporosis drugs can be affected by coffee. That’s important
to know considering Americans on average drink three cups of
coffee daily , most of it in the morning, says the National
Coffee Association. A study found that taking the osteoporosis
drug alendronate (brand name, Fosamax) with black coffee or
orange juice reduced its absorption by about 60 percent. The
drug needs to be taken with water on an empty stomach at least
30 minutes before breakfast for optimum effect. People who
swallowed their thyroid drug with coffee or espresso reduced its
absorption up to 55 percent, a 2008 stu