RT Journal
A1 FAZIO A
T1 CAffeine, oral contraceptives, and over-the-counter drugs
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1989
FD May 1
VO 149
IS 5
SP 1217
OP 1222
DO 10.1001/archinte.1989.00390050163039
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1989.00390050163039
AB To the Editor.—I would like to comment on Myers' well-written review of caffeine's effect on blood pressure that appeared in a recent issue of the Archives.1 First, Myers notes the lack of any significant drug interactions between caffeine intake and the use of thiazide diuretics or β-blockers. However, he fails to point out significant interactions with the use of cimetidine and oral contraceptives (OCs). The metabolism of caffeine, like theophylline, may be inhibited by cimetidine therapy and cause an increase in the pharmacologic effect of caffeine.2 Use of OCs also decreases the metabolism of caffeine. In a study by Patwardhan et al,3 the half-life of