Q. Can I drink coffee after taking Synthroid?
A. Synthroid (levothyroxine) is absorbed best when it is taken on an empty stomach. Patients are often advised to take it first thing in the morning, but drinking coffee or eating breakfast even 15 minutes after taking the pill can greatly reduce the amount of thyroid hormone that gets into the bloodstream (European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2014; vol. 18, pp. 451-456).
Absorption Problems
Synthroid and other levothyroxine tablets are not absorbed well by people taking the acid-suppressing drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, etc.). It seems that gastric acid is necessary to help the pill dissolve in the stomach. A liquid formulation appears to have less disruption from these drugs (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, online Sept. 26, 2014).
Grapefruit, soybeans, papaya and dietary fiber can also reduce levothyroxine absorption. The usual advice is to wait at least an hour after taking Synthroid before having your coffee or a meal.
Take at Bedtime
Some people find that taking the medicine at bedtime, at least two hours after supper, solves the problem (Archives of Internal Medicine, Dec. 13, 2010).
