Doctors Note Logo

Published on: 7/15/2026

Can caffeine affect anxiety medication?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Caffeine can interact with anxiety medications and may worsen anxiety symptoms. Common interactions include:

  • Reduced medication effectiveness: Caffeine can interfere with how anxiety medications like SSRIs and benzodiazepines work.
  • Increased side effects: Combining caffeine with anxiety medications may heighten jitteriness, restlessness, and insomnia.
  • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure: Both caffeine and certain anxiety medications can affect cardiovascular function.
  • Worsened anxiety symptoms: Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, potentially triggering or intensifying anxiety.

If you're taking anxiety medications, it's important to monitor your caffeine intake and consult your healthcare provider.

Not sure whether your symptoms are anxiety-related, a medication interaction, or something else entirely? Understanding what's happening in your body is the first step toward feeling better. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights based on your specific situation. It only takes a few minutes, requires no sign-up, and can help you decide whether to adjust your habits, speak with your doctor, or seek further care—empowering you to make informed decisions about your health today.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

answer background

Important Next Steps

Learn if caffeine worsens anxiety symptomsDiscover causes of your anxiety symptomsFind out if medication causes anxietySee OTC options for anxiety reliefFind anxiety doctors near youUnderstand home remedies for anxiety symptomsCheck if symptoms need urgent care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Caffeine is a common stimulant found in coffee, tea, and many soft drinks. It can affect how anxiety medications work. Caffeine can make you feel more anxious and might interfere with the calming effects of your medication.

How Caffeine Affects Anxiety

  • Increased Anxiety: Caffeine can make you feel jittery or nervous. This can make anxiety symptoms worse.
  • Medication Interaction: Caffeine can change how your body processes anxiety medications. This might make the medication less effective.

What to Do

  • Limit Caffeine: Try to drink less coffee, tea, or soda while taking anxiety medication.
  • Talk to Your Doctor: If you are worried about caffeine and your medication, talk to your doctor.

If you're experiencing symptoms of anxiety and want to understand what might be causing them, try Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to get personalized insights in just a few minutes.

(References)

  • Broderick PJ, Benjamin AB, & Dennis LW. (2005). Caffeine and psychiatric medication interactions: a review. The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, 16206866.

  • McCusker RR, Fuehrlein B, Goldberger BA, Gold MS, & Cone EJ. (2006). Caffeine content of decaffeinated coffee. Journal of analytical toxicology, 17132260.

  • Broderick P, & Benjamin AB. (2004). Caffeine and psychiatric symptoms: a review. The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, 15732884.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.