Is it safe to consume caffeine and phentermine?

December 7. 2022

If you’ve recently started your weight loss journey, you may have heard about appetite suppressants and other supplements that aid weight loss. And you’re probably thinking about taking advantage of the many benefits said supplements provide. We’re all on board with supplements to lose weight, but only when consumed safely. The most popular and successful supplement right now is phentermine for weight loss. This drug works as a stimulant; phentermine’s job is to suppress appetite and help you lose weight fast. Do you know which other substance is also a stimulant? Caffeine.  But if caffeine and phentermine are stimulants, what happens if you take both of them simultaneously? Can you still enjoy your morning cup of coffee and be safe? All of those are valid questions you should ask before mixing phentermine and caffeine. Our experts at our weight loss clinic in Chicago explain everything you need to know about combining phentermine and caffeine.

The effects of phentermine on weight loss

Phentermine works as a stimulant; it acts directly on your central nervous system. This drug is an appetite suppressant, meaning you’ll have fewer cravings and reduced appetite while on the drug. It also speeds up your metabolism. Phentermine can help you kickstart your fat loss goal; still, you should know this supplement is intended for people who suffer from obesity. Those patients that already tried to lose weight through a solid low-calorie diet and exercise, but nothing seems to have worked for them. If you’re only looking to lose a couple of pounds, this supplement may not be for you. Also, this drug is meant to be used for a short period of time. Phentermine is just one element of an overall fat loss plan – for optimal benefits, you should stick to a healthy diet and do regular physical activity.

Some of the side effects that come with phentermine use are not severe; we’re talking about constipation, dry mouth, and headache. But some other potential effects can be more serious; high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and insomnia are some of them. That’s why we always recommend checking with a professional before taking phentermine or any other weight loss supplement.

Can caffeine help you lose weight?

For decades caffeine aiding weight loss has been a controversial topic. Many diet pills contain caffeine; it is thought that caffeine can help consumers lose weight faster. The truth is there is too little scientific information regarding caffeine aiding weight loss to make a confident statement about the matter. While caffeine boosts your metabolism, that boost is minimal; if you lose a few pounds because of your caffeine intake, it won’t be a significant amount to make a difference in your weight loss journey. Besides, the side effects of consuming large amounts of caffeine will probably overcount the weight loss benefits. Too much caffeine can induce dehydration, insomnia, stomachache, rapid heart rate, and anxiety.

And what about caffeine helping you exercise? Well, that myth is actually true. Taking caffeine as a pre-workout drink can enhance physical activity at the gym or your home workout routine. To get the most benefit out of taking caffeine before exercising, you should take it 45 minutes before your training session. And you should know that just like there are pros and cons of pre-workout supplements, the same thing happens with caffeine.

When someone mentions caffeine, we almost instantly imagine a hot cup of coffee. You should be aware that caffeine is found in many beverages, such as black, white, and green tea, sodas, and energy drinks. Of course, there’s less caffeine in a cup of green tea than in a cup of coffee or a soda. Still, it would be best if you always watch your caffeine intake.

Do caffeine and phentermine interact?

There’s a lot of information out there regarding the use of alcohol and drugs, but not enough about mixing caffeine and drugs. Alcohol and phentermine are a big no. Your healthcare professional probably warned you about avoiding alcoholic drinks while taking this weight loss supplement. Still, they may not tell you about the adverse effects of combining caffeine and phentermine. You should always ask your doctor about it if the subject is not mentioned during your visit.

Here are some hard facts: Caffeine and phentermine are stimulants. Stimulants influence your central nervous system. Both phentermine and caffeine come with potential side effects. Now, what could happen if you consume caffeine while on weight loss supplements? By doing so, you have a greater chance of developing these stimulants’ side effects. If you drink coffee or other caffeine beverages while on phentermine, the adverse effects of both can be intensified. That could lead to high blood pressure or you suffering from sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation will not only make you sleepy in the morning; you also need a good night’s sleep for proper cognitive-motor performance. As you can see, if you drink coffee while on phentermine, it can lead to dangerous adverse effects. Caffeine effects are not the same in every person; you probably can still drink your morning cup of coffee without putting your health in danger. However, we advise you to avoid consuming large amounts of caffeine and check how much caffeine there is in the beverages you take. Depending on how caffeine affects your body and central nervous system, you may have to cut caffeine altogether until you are off phentermine.

Drinks to avoid while taking phentermine

Like with any other drug, there are precautions you should take while on phentermine. Avoiding the consumption of some drinks can help the phentermine work correctly, and you’ll also avoid some unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects.

The most important drink to avoid while taking this weight-loss supplement is alcohol. Your healthcare professional will warn you not to combine alcohol and phentermine when they prescribe you the drug. Phentermine is a stimulant, and alcohol is a depressant; both drugs can counteract each other effects. Mixing both can lead to insomnia, dry mouth, and nausea. But in some patients, the combination can cause some cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system side effects. And we should also mention that alcohol intake, even when not taking phentermine, can sabotage your weight loss journey.

Another substance to avoid is caffeine. We talked about the dangerous side effects that mixing caffeine and phentermine can lead to. It’s essential to take good care of your health; you should try to reduce caffeine as much as possible while on phentermine.

3 drinks that can boost the phentermine effects

Phentermine is prescripted as part of a weight loss plan. Exercise and diet are also needed to lose weight most optimally. Plus, the effects of phentermine are enhanced when combined with certain foods and drinks. A good phentermine diet plan can help you reach your desired weight goal quickly and safely.

One thing that will help you boost the effects of phentermine is drinking lots of water. You should drink at least eight to ten glasses of water daily while on the drug. If you drink enough water, you will see a lot of weight loss in the first weeks of you starting use of the appetite suppressant – that happens because you’re losing your water weight. But if you don’t drink enough water, your body will retain the little amount of water you consume; that water weight will reflect on the scale. Also, staying hydrated can help you alleviate dry mouth, a side effect of phentermine.

Drinking smoothies will also improve the benefits of phentermine. A diet rich in vegetables and whole fruits can aid you in losing weight fast. If you’re not a big fan of veggies, you can start with some easy smoothies recipes. Almost any fruit or vegetable can go into a smoothie; find your favorite combination and enjoy its many health benefits!

Fat burner smoothies are also a good idea. You can add fat burner powder to a tasty smoothie. That will boost your workout performance and fill you with energy. Drink it before or after your exercise routine – depending on your specific goals, and make sure to learn what happens if you take fat burners without working out first.

Final thoughts

Taking caffeine, or any other drug, while on phentermine is highly discouraged. It can interact with phentermine and reduce its benefits or lead to dangerous outcomes for your health and unpleasant side effects. Talk to a health care professional before mixing phentermine with caffeine or alcoholic beverages. Our clinic is the perfect place to clear all your doubts regarding this subject. Schedule a call with us; we are happy to guide you through your phentermine and weight loss journey.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.