Drug interactions
Caffeine + Epinephrine
Severity: Moderate
Caffeine and Epinephrine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Caffeine and epinephrine both stimulate the sympathetic and cardiovascular systems. Large caffeine intake together with epinephrine may increase heart rate, blood pressure and the risk of palpitations or arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Caffeine and Epinephrine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Caffeine belongs to Miscellaneous; Epinephrine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive sympathomimetic and cardiostimulant effects; caffeine inhibits phosphodiesterase and adenosine receptors.
What to do
Monitor heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease who receive epinephrine, and limit caffeine intake around use.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Caffeine
- Caffeine + Ephedrine Major
- Caffeine + Fezolinetant Major
- Caffeine + Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Major
- Caffeine + Selegiline transdermal Major
- Adenosine + Caffeine Moderate
- Benzphetamine + Caffeine Moderate
Other interactions of Epinephrine
- Epinephrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Epinephrine Major
- Amitriptyline + Epinephrine Major
- Amoxapine + Epinephrine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Caffeine with Epinephrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Caffeine and Epinephrine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Caffeine and epinephrine both stimulate the sympathetic and cardiovascular systems. Large caffeine intake together with epinephrine may increase heart rate, blood pressure and the risk of palpitations or arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Caffeine and Epinephrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease who receive epinephrine, and limit caffeine intake around use.
What other medicines interact with Caffeine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Caffeine with, for example, Ephedrine, Fezolinetant, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The full list is on the Caffeine page.
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