Taking medication and vitamins with coffee

[nothing2lose]

Is it okay to do?

I do it often and someone recently told me you shouldn't do it. She didn't know why, just something she'd heard.

Do you do it? If not, do you have a reason?

Hopefully we have a pharmacist on board who can help!

thanks

[Phteven]

I know that caffeine reduces your ability to absorb something - calcium maybe?

[Taurean]

I pretty much always have mine with my morning coffee too. I hope it's alright because adding water to my morning ritual just doesn't sit right!

[maybebaby2012]

Oh crap! I always wash my conception multi down with my morning coffee!

[Olive]

I don't take mine with coffee....otherwise you'll pee most of it out!!
Take it 30 mins either side (longer the better)

[e_p]

caffeine inhibits absorption of iron, calcium and Vit D

[BellyBelly]

Taninns in tea affect iron from memory, but yeah not ideal to have vitamins with caffeine as it does interfere with absorption with some important vitamins.

ETA: Here we go:

Tannins and Iron Absorption
Tannins are an organic compound found in both green and black varieties of tea. The tannins found in tea can interact with iron in the gastrointestinal tract, rendering iron less available for absorption. Drinking tea with a meal that contains iron-rich foods can decrease iron absorption by up to 88 percent, depending on the amount of tannins consumed. If you have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency, avoid drinking tea with iron-rich foods to allow proper absorption in your body.

Elements That Inhibit Iron Absorption
In addition to tannins found in tea, a number of other elements can decrease iron absorption. Coffee, when consumed with a meal, can cut iron absorption in half.

[Sopdet]

No it isn't good to do it because caffeine can interact with normal medications.

The USA FDA website has info on caffeine/medication interactions (including simple ones like asprin).

I will have water to take my medications and then have my first coffee 30 mins or so later.

[Ladylove]

Bugger.

[Lenny]

Thanks. You learn something everyday. Can i go now, miss?