consumer guides

As a returning reviewer who has purchased Dr. Silverman's book for each of the last three consecutive years, I would once again like to state that while I applaud the product as a whole, there are issues that continue to present themselves. In this particular case, the issue concerns the potential adverse interactions when combining a psychotropic drug (drugs used to treat mental and/or emotional disorders) with caffeine.

My attention was drawn to this after having a somewhat harrowing experience while on Prozac many years ago. After consuming a cup of coffee that was not the decaffeinated brew I requested, I experienced an array of disturbing symptoms approximately two hours later. I felt a sudden head rush, followed by lightheadedness, agitation, restlessness, racing thoughts, aggressive impulses, and other symptoms. Because I was at work at the time, I left early, but the symptoms grew worse during the commute home. Finally, after several hours of bed rest and food, I returned to normal and then back to work the next day.

Besides disavowing my usual practice of buying decaf coffee on my way to work (for obvious reasons), I determined that caffeine, perhaps especially for those who are already sensitive to the drug, reinforces the effects of Prozac and other drugs in its class. Not only were the symptoms disturbing, but they virtually incapacitated me for an entire day, costing me a day at work.

Similarly, I have found that other drugs, namely, Strattera (used to treat ADHD), may adversely interact with caffeine as well. On one day in particular while I was taking this drug, I drank two caffeinated beverages. Later that day, I experienced such severe anxiety that I was once again forced to abandon my activities while the apparent effects wore off.

For the most part, I could not attribute the reactions I experienced to anything else in my routine. Yet astonishingly, I have not come across any related cautions or warnings from medical professionals, pharmacies, drug inserts, or The Pill Book on prescription drugs and caffeine. And I believe that this needs to change.

Caffeine use is so prevalent in our society that its role in combination with medicines should be investigated and addressed. Unfortunately, I believe that it is precisely this reason--its common use--that allowed for the apparent assumption that it has a negligible effect on the human body in this and other contexts.

Mental health professionals, physicians, Dr. Silverman, Bantam Books, and the like: if you read this, please take this feedback under advisement.

Excellent source for reviewing in depth different prescriptions.