It's important to be mindful of your diet and aware of what substances are in the foods and drinks you consume when you're taking an antidepressant such as Effexor. Caffeine, for example, can make some of Effexor's side effects more severe or noticeable. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience while taking Effexor, particularly if you consume caffeine.
Blood Pressure
The chemicals in Effexor and some other antidepressants that act on chemicals in your brain to help stabilize your mood can also raise your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is within the normal range, a slight increase isn't likely to cause a problem. If you have high blood pressure, however, the increase could create problems. Caffeine can also increase your blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to narrow, speeding up blood flow. Combining Effexor and caffeine can lead to dangerous spikes in blood pressure, especially if your blood pressure is already high.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common side effect of Effexor, occurring in up to 23 percent of people who take the extended release form of the drug, according to eMedTV. If you're having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or if you're waking up too early, try lowering your caffeine consumption or eliminate it completely. Even if caffeine hasn't interfered with your sleep before, it can worsen insomnia caused by Effexor.
Depression
In some cases, caffeine and depression might be linked. Caffeine acts as a stimulant and not getting enough sleep can worsen depression. Reducing all potential triggers of depression is important if you take Effexor because the medication will be far more effective if you're making lifestyle changes to accommodate and manage your depression.
Considerations
Don't stop consuming caffeine suddenly if you take Effexor or have problems with depression unless your doctor advises you to do so. Once your body is used to caffeine on a daily basis, going cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, headaches and worsening depression. Unless there is a medical reason you cannot consume caffeine, slowly reducing the amount of caffeine you take in daily will help wean you off and lower the risk of making your depression worse. Some people find they are still able to consume low or moderate amounts of caffeine with no negative side effects while taking Effexor. If you have difficulty sleeping, don't drink caffeinated beverages or consume supplements with caffeine after the mid-afternoon hours.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Medications and Supplements That Can Raise Your Blood Pressure; October 2010
- eMedTV; Effexor XR and Insomnia; Kristi Monson, PharmD ,et al.; March 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Antidepressants: Get Tips to Cope With Side Effects; December 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Caffeine and Depression: Is There a Link?; Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.; October 2009
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