Can you use Linzess and Coffee together? (3 possible interactions)

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Can you use Linzess and Coffee together?”. Linzess is one of the most commonly prescribed medications which can help treat constipation. This blog will talk about the concomitant use of Linzess and Coffee. 

We will talk about the possible dangers of this combination and we will also discuss the best possible time to drink coffee while you’re being treated with Linzess. 

Can you use Linzess and Coffee together? 

No, it is not recommended to use Linzess and Coffee together. Linzess is used for the treatment and management of constipation and other symptoms related to Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This medication is supposed to be taken on an empty stomach, right after you wake up in the morning. 

There are multiple reasons why Linzess and Coffee should not be used together, but there is not enough research on the topic that supports the claim. Linzess consists of an active pharmaceutical ingredient called Linaclotide, which is responsible for working on your gastrointestinal tract. 

The API decreases the sensation of stomach pain by blocking pain mediators. This way you don’t feel much pain associated with flatulence, bloating, and indigestion. Several studies have also indicated that the use of Linzess can also increase your gastrointestinal transit time. 

Coffee, on the other hand, acts as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It has an active ingredient caffeine which actually increases your mental alertness and energy levels. Caffeine is also believed to boost your metabolism. 

It can help some people lose weight because of that very effect. Coffee can also increase gastrointestinal motility in some people and help regulate their bowel movements. Coffee can also act as a diuretic. 

This is why experts suggest drinking plenty of water if you’re a regular coffee drinker to prevent any possible symptoms associated with dehydration. Because of this diuretic effect, coffee can decrease your blood volume and it may decrease your blood pressure. 

This is why you should not drink too much coffee as an excess of this beverage can result in a number of difficulties. It can also cause anxiety at higher doses. 

How can Linzess interact with caffeine? 

Linzess can interact with caffeine in multiple ways. These include:

• Decreased absorption of Linzess
• Gastrointestinal side effects 
• Too much intestinal motility 

Decreased absorption of Linzess

There are some non-clinical research studies that have indicated the harmful effects of the combination of Linzess and Coffee. One study suggested that coffee may interact pharmacokinetically with Linzess. 

This is because coffee may decrease the absorption of Linzess, especially when you consume the two meds together. Although there is no clinical data to support this claim, it is still a possibility. 

It is impossible to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to these two together. It is a known fact that people respond differently to medications. 

Some may not be able to tolerate the combination well and they may experience therapeutic failure if Linzess is not absorbed in their body enough. This can be more severe if you’re at lower doses. 

In clinical practices, when you’re new to some medication or about to start the treatment for the first time, it is best to start from the lowest effective dose. This is because some people are naturally allergic to some meds without even knowing about them. 

This can result in a number of complications. So most healthcare providers make it easier by reducing the dose. When your doctor becomes certain that the medicine is not dangerous for you or you’re not allergic to it in any way, that’s when your dose is increased. 

If you combine coffee with the lower dose of Linzess, you may not see the full effects of the drug because of the decreased absorption. 

However, if you use these two properly and there is enough time between the consumption of Linzess and Coffee, then you may be able to take them without any possible side effects. Ensuring the proper use of Linzess is the main key to achieving your desired therapeutic goals. 

First and the most important thing is to make sure that you are not allergic to Linzess. If you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any unusual side effect right after taking your first ever Linzess dose, then Linzess is not a good choice of medication for you. 

To prevent that from happening, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about the excipients present in the formulation to make sure it does not contain anything that you know you’re allergic to.

Gastrointestinal side effects 

The combination of Linzess and coffee can cause a number of gastrointestinal side effects, especially if you literally take the two of them at the same time. This is because coffee has some similar properties. 

Several research studies have indicated that coffee can increase intestinal motility. To confirm this claim, a double-blind placebo trial was performed in which the test participants were divided into two groups. 

All of the people included in the study were suffering from mild to moderate constipation. It was important because the study aimed to see the effects of caffeine on constipation. 

After the study, it was observed that the group that received coffee showed more frequent bowel movements as compared to the placebo group. This study indicated that caffeine does increase intestinal motility and it helps some people in regulating their bowel movements. 

The same is the effect of Linzess as it also regulates your bowel movements. If you continue to consume these two together, you will be subjected to some disturbing gastrointestinal side effects, including:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea 
• Abdominal pain 
• Flatulence and bloating 
• Upset stomach
• Indigestion 
• Inability to eat food
• Weakness

This is why you should not combine Linzess and Coffee together. If you want to drink coffee, you can wait half an hour to an hour to drink coffee safely. Linzess may take some time to work in some cases. 

If you have been taking this medication for quite a while now but you see little to no effects in your condition, it indicates that Linzess is not working that well for you. 

This is why you should keep a close eye on your symptoms and should reach out to your doctor immediately if you see any unusual effects in your body. 

Too much intestinal motility

As stated earlier, both Linzess and Coffee can increase your transit time. This increased stomach motility can cause a number of side effects in people. 

These side effects can vary from person to person. Some people may suffer more severely than others. This is why you should not mix these two together. 

What are the side effects associated with the use of Linzess and Coffee together? 

Both Linzess and Coffee are associated with some side effects individually. Let’s take a look at them:

Side effects of Linzess 

Linzess is associated with the following side effects:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Bloating 
• Swelling and tenderness in the stomach
• Headache 
• Black-coloured stools
• Muscle pain
• An allergic reaction is associated with symptoms like redness of the skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of the chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness, etc. 

Side effects of coffee 

Coffee is associated with the following side effects:

• Anxiety 
• Sleep disturbance or insomnia. It also decreases sleep quality
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Tachycardia 
• Dehydration, as it causes diuresis 
• Muscle pain
• Addiction
• Fatigue
• Tolerance
• Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea etc.

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the concomitant use of Linzess and Coffee. It is not recommended to take these two simultaneously. Linzess is used for the treatment and management of constipation and other symptoms related to Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

This medication is supposed to be taken on an empty stomach, right after you wake up in the morning. There are multiple reasons why Linzess and Coffee should not be used together, but there is not enough research on the topic that supports the claim. 

Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider for further information and talk about the proper use of these meds. 

FAQs: Linzess and coffee 

How do I make LINZESS work better?

Ensuring the proper use of Linzess is the main key to achieving your desired therapeutic goals. First and the most important thing is to make sure that you are not allergic to Linzess. If you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any unusual side effect right after taking your first ever Linzess dose, then Linzess is not a good choice of medication for you. Also, take your medication on an empty stomach. 

How long does it take LINZESS to move your bowels?

Linzess can start to regulate your bowel movements in about a week or two, but only if it is taken regularly. Linzess consists of an active pharmaceutical ingredient called Linaclotide, which is responsible for working on your gastrointestinal tract. The API decreases the sensation of stomach pain by blocking pain mediators. This way you don’t feel much pain associated with flatulence, bloating, and indigestion. Several studies have also indicated that the use of Linzess can also increase your gastrointestinal transit time.

How long after eating can you take Linzess?

You should take Linzess first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is necessary to ensure the proper use of Linzess as it should not be combined with any food or drink. You should not drink or eat anything at least within 30 minutes to an hour of taking Linzess. 

Can you take Linzess and Coffee together? 

No, it is not recommended to use Linzess and Coffee together. Linzess is used for the treatment and management of constipation and other symptoms related to Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This medication is supposed to be taken on an empty stomach, right after you wake up in the morning. There are multiple reasons why Linzess and Coffee should not be used together, but there is not enough research on the topic that supports the claim.

What are the side effects of Linzess?

Some of the common side effects associated with the use of Linzess include:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Bloating 
• Swelling and tenderness in the stomach
• Headache 
• Black-coloured stools
• Muscle pain
• An allergic reaction is associated with symptoms like redness of the skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of the chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness, etc. 

References