The prescription medication nifedipine, sold under the brand name Nifedical XL, among others, sometimes provokes side effects that include shakiness and rapid heartbeat. If you’re already a rabid coffee drinker, it makes sense that combining Nifedical XL with caffeine increase your chances of getting “the jitters” – or worse. But while excessive caffeine intake is rarely healthy, you may be able to have your accustomed amount of soda, tea or coffee after you begin taking Nifedical XL.
The Medicine
Nifedical XL is an oral medication that treats high blood pressure and angina. Your doctor may prescribe Nifedical XL alone or as part of a drug cocktail. Nifedical XL blocks the mineral calcium from entering blood vessels and heart cell walls. This is one way to help increase the flow of blood through your blood vessels, lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke. Your medical history, including current medications and other conditions, influences whether Nifedical XL will be the healthiest choice for you.
Caffeine Interaction
The list of medications, foods and herbs with which Nifedical XL might interact is long. But there are no specific warnings regarding the combination of caffeine and Nifedical XL, according to Drugs.com and MayoClinic.com. It’s best to ask your doctor specifically about caffeine when starting any new medication. In particular, tell her if you consume an unusual amount of coffee, tea, energy drinks or soda.
Caffeine and Blood Pressure
While Nifedical XL and caffeine are not considered antagonists, coffee and other caffeinated beverages can be problematic for some hypertensive people. In other words, your medication may be less effective if coffee worsens the condition for which you are taking it. Some people who need to lower their blood pressure may have good results cutting back on caffeine, while other people seem to be able to increase or decrease caffeine consumption with no discernible effect on blood pressure.
Taking your blood pressure before and after drinking a caffeinated beverage can give you an estimate of the substance’s effect on you. If you currently take in more than 200 milligrams of caffeine each day, lowering that amount may improve your blood pressure, MayoClinic.com notes. The recommended maximum of 200 milligrams equals roughly two generous cups of coffee, but it’s best to read labels carefully because coffee, sodas and other beverages have unpredictable caffeine content.
What Not to Have
According to Drugs.com, 520 drugs, foods or supplements may interact with forms of nifedipine. Along with hundreds of prescription medications, the list includes multivitamins, aspirin, ginger, ibuprofen, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, calcium carbonate, gingko biloba, red yeast rice, ginseng and St. John’s wort. The interactions may not all be common or serious, but in some cases they may either make Nifedical XL less effective or dangerously amplify its effects. Alternatively, Nifedical XL may have a negative effect on the second substance. Your doctor can advise you whether to eliminate any herbs, drugs or supplements when you begin taking Nifedical XL.
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