Caffeine & Fluticasone

Your doctor may prescribe fluticasone to alleviate bothersome allergy symptoms. This drug has numerous contraindications, so make sure you inform your doctor of all medicines and supplements you take before using it. It also has potential risks when combined with caffeine, so tell your doctor if you frequently drink coffee or other caffeine-containing drinks or take prescription caffeine.

Identification

Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that comes in nasal spray form and is used to treat allergies. It can help alleviate symptoms such as an itchy, a stuffy or a runny nose and sneezing. Your doctor also may prescribe it to treat asthma, bronchitis or emphysema because it reduces inflammation in airways. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that's sometimes prescribed for respiratory depression, fatigue and drowsiness. You'll also find caffeine in coffee, tea, energy drinks and in other foods and beverages.

Hypokalemia

If you consume enough caffeine to induce diuretic effects and take it along with fluticasone, you theoretically raise your risk for hypokalemia, or blood levels of potassium that fall too low. Both steroids and diuretics raise your risk for this condition. Taking fluticasone with herbs that have laxative effects, such as cascara sagrada or castor oil, also raise risk for this hypokalemia. Symptoms of this condition include fast or irregular heartbeats, constipation, frequent urination, muscle weakness or paralysis, tiredness, feeling of pins and needles on your skin and muscle twitching.

Bone Loss

Combining caffeine and corticosteroids may raise your risk for osteoporosis, according to "The Musculoskeletal System." Each of these substances independently are associated with bone loss. Bone loss tends to be dose dependent. Discuss combining these substances with a health care provider if you have concerns about bone loss.

Toxicity

Use caution if you take oral contraceptives and are considering caffeine and fluticasone at the same time. Oral contraceptives may increase the toxic potential of each of these substances, notes the "Handbook of Urgent Care Medicine." Common side effects for fluticasone include flu symptoms, hoarseness, dry mouth, sinus swelling, runny nose, sore throat and upper respiratory tract infection. More severe side effects that require immediate medical attention include fainting, severe dizziness, sudden weight loss, weakness, tiredness, vomiting, tingling arms and legs or white curd-like patches in the mouth. Caffeine toxicity can cause vomiting, irritability, heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, low blood sugar, low potassium levels, muscle spasms, kidney problems, ketosis, metabolic acidosis and even death.