Can I drink Caffeine?

[lonn]

I'm still not clear about the effects of Caffeine while on interferon.  My doctor doesn't seem to put a high importance on abstinence...yet I've heard from others to abstain from caffeine.  I know the water rule but can I drink caffeine?

[nygirl7]

I wouldn't have made it through treatment without it and I didn't even want to try! Plus.....having that half and half every morning gave my riba a little extra fat and that is a good thing :)

I agree with the other guys - keep the coffee if you want it!

[Deb_c430]

Coffee Appears to Reduce Risk of Fibrosis in HCV+


  
  Reported by Jules Levin
AASLD, Oct 27-31, 2006
Boston, MA

"IMPACT OF CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION ON HISTOLOGICAL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS C"

Reported by Jules Levin
AASLD, The Liver Meeting
Oct 27-31, 2006
Boston, MA

C. Hezode1, 3; C. Costentin1; F. Roudot-Thoraval2, 3; F. Medkour1; E. Zafrani4;
J. Pawlotsky3, 5; D. Dhumeaux1, 3; A. Mallat1 1. hepatology, hopital henri mondor, creteil, France.
2. public health, hopital henri mondor, creteil, France.
3. INSERM U635, hopital henri mondor, creteil, France.
4. pathology, hopital henri mondor, creteil, France.
5. virology, hopital henri mondor, creteil, France.

It has recently been suggested that caffeine consumption is associated with a lower risk of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in patients at high risk for liver disease, cirrhosis in subjects with excessive alcohol intake, and a lower incidence of chronic liver disease.This effect might be attributed to antioxydant properties of caffeine. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of caffeine consumption on histological activity and ALT levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

237 consecutive naïve patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C were included, who had not previously received HCV therapy. They did not have HBV or HIV coinfection, nor did any have liver transplant.

Data collected included demographics, route of transmission, daily consumptions of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine during the 6 months preceding liver biopsy, body mass index, genotype, ALT level at the time of liver biopsy, steatosis and activity grades, as well as fibrosis stage, according to METAVIR.

Daily caffeine consumption was estimated as the sum of mean intakes of coffee, tea and caffeine-containing sodas. Patients (153 men, 84 women, mean age: 45.4years) were classified into 4 groups according to caffeine consumption.

As shown in the table, there was a significant inverse relationship between activity grade and daily caffeine consumption, p679 mg daily appeared to reduce risk the most.




Other factors independently associated to activity grade included moderate-severe steatosis (OR=3.2 (1.49-7.4)), age greater than 40 years (OR=2.13 (1.12-4.05)) and ALT level (OR=1.02 (1.01-1.03).

In conclusion, caffeine consumption appears to have a positive impact on histological activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C.  


i am keeping my morning coffee!  it helps me!

[H20Lover]

Hello there....

Could not have done the treatment without it!  Doctor had no problems with coffee either.  I drink it black, but it was one thing that never changed in taste.  I looked forwrd to my morning brew!  Still do off of treatment!

I personally have not heard that caffeine is contraindicated, but everyone reacts a little different to the meds.

Good luck!

Pam

[Trish77]

Sure didn't for me either.  I take a thermos of coffee to work every day.  I need my coffee as a stimulant.  When the nausea hit, I couldn't drink hardly any coffee but still needed that cup in the morning on a workday.  I watch my urine colour to see if the coffee's diuretic effects are robbing me of too much water and compensate for that .. other than that, the coffee helps me to get myself going in the morning at work. It just does.  

[mar148]

Sure didn't for me.  I needed my coffee.

[merryBe]

its the riba that stimulates, and in the combo with caffiene can be too much.
the caffiene robs you of minerals..and so makes the nerves get even more on end.

You need to rest well on tx so I'd try to lower it to one morning cup if you can't completely give it up. Caffiene causes daily calcium loss which interferes with brain chemistry and the abilty of GABA receptors to shut down the brain at night, which Riba also effects. Ergo, if you are sensitive to stimulants you might find your morning Riba wakes you up MORE than your pot of coffee.  take care.
MB

[mar148]

I agree with Trinity4, my enzyme levels went back to the 11 to 18 level, really low on treatment so I don't think the coffee hurt me.

[Trinity4]

I agree.  There are those bad nights I lay awake for hours and look forward to 5:00 am   so I can crawl out of bed and make my coffee, turn on TV Land and watch those silly re-runs. I couldn't survive without coffee either.  My enzyme levels are back to normal after being in the 100's forever so that's a pretty good indicator it's not hurting me.
Trin

[meki]

I would not have survived my TX without caffiene...

OMG - that would be like the worst thing in the world.

Unthinkable.

LOL!

Meki

[Magnum]

I'm not sure about coffee on treatment, but coffee has definetely been proven in clinical tests to help prevent Cirrhosis of the liver in alcoholics. Ask your doctor...

Magnum

[mar148]

I have not heard any negative comments about caffeine while on treatment.  I drank coffee my entire treatment.  It also depends whether it bothers your stomach while you are not feeling so great during treatment.  It is my understanding it does not impact treatment effectiveness.  Some even believe its anti oxidant effects keep you liver healthier.  

Good luck.  Mary Ellen