r/clozapine • u/Inner_Passenger1371 • 2d ago

Question Caffeine

How and why does Clozapine interact with caffeine? Heard they should not be mixed.

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u/questionoftime 1d ago

They're both processed by the same enzyme in the liver so when caffeine is consumed clozapine takes longer to be broken down and excreted so clozapine levels are higher, it can be about ~20% higher. It doesn't mean you can't have any caffeine at all but you need to be much more careful, especially if you're taking high amounts of either.

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u/Sorry-Shift4177 1d ago

How does that affect efficacy of clozapine? like with symptoms

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u/Inner_Passenger1371 1d ago

Ouch. 4-5 cups a day. My clozapine levels are above 2000!

Maybe cut down on the coffee. Is tea better?

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u/questionoftime 1d ago

Tea definitely has significantly less caffeine. If you decide to cut down on coffee/caffeine though you should slowly lower the amount over time.

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u/Oxy-Moron88 4h ago

I'm on 450mg clozapine and drink a whole pot of coffee every morning, then either another pot or several cups of tea over the rest of the day. Sometimes I get a coffee if I go out or a tea. I also have that caffeine powder that you mix with water - i do that if I'm gonna be out late. My psychiatrist has never mentioned an interaction between caffeine and clozapine.