Caffeine Citrate

Generic name: Caffeine
Drug class: CNS stimulants

Usage of Caffeine Citrate

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by stimulating the brain. Caffeine is found naturally in foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, colas, energy and chocolate. Botanical sources of caffeine include kola nuts, guarana, and yerba mate. Caffeine is also available in prescription and non-prescription medications.

Caffeine is used to restore mental alertness or wakefulness during fatigue or drowsiness. Caffeine is also found in some headache and migraine medications, in certain dietary supplements used for weight loss, and in many popular energy drinks.

Caffeine citrate (Cafcit) is available by prescription only. It is used for short-term treatment of neonatal apnea (breathing problems).

Caffeine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Caffeine Citrate side effects

difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

nervousness or anxiety

irritability

nausea

headache

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

serious allergic Reactions (difficult breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, rash, hives, or itching)

diarrhea

vomiting

rapid heart rate or palpitations

increased blood pressure

chest pain

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. Call your health care provider for medical advice about side effects.

Before taking Caffeine Citrate

Some medical conditions may interact with caffeine. Tell your health care provider if you have ANY medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you have allergies to caffeine, other medicines, foods, or other substances

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, or herbal or dietary supplement

if you have anxiety, agitation or nervousness, liver or stomach (ulcer) problems, insomnia (trouble sleeping), seizures (convulsions), or heart disease, especially any abnormal heart rhythms or high blood pressure

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Drug interactions may occur with caffeine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Quinolones (i.e., ciprOfloxacin)

Theophyllines

Duloxetine

Ephedra or Guarana

Rasagiline

Tizanidine

This is NOT a complete drug interaction list. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine. A complete drug interaction check should be completed prior to your use of caffeine or any medication.

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How to use Caffeine Citrate

Use caffeine as directed by your health care provider. If the medication is OTC, check the label on the bottle for the exact dosing instructions. If you have any questions about the use of an OTC medication, ask your pharmacist.

Caffeine may be taken with or without food. If caffeine upsets your stomach, take it with food.

Do not exceed the recommended dose of caffeine. Caffeine can be habit-forming.

Most OTC medications used for mental alertness contain 200 milligrams of caffeine per tablet or capsule. The usual maximum recommended dose of OTC caffeine is no more than 200 mg every 3-4 hours, or 1600 mg per day.

Do not double-up on your caffeine dose if you should miss the time for next dose.

The average cup of coffee contains 150-200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per cup, while a cup of tea will have about 60 mg of caffeine. Cola products have about 30-40 mg of caffeine, and most energy drinks have about 60-70 mg. Be sure to account for any dietary caffeine that is consumed.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use caffeine.

Warnings

Caffeine may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery, or engage in dangerous tasks until you know how caffeine might affect you.

Avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, energy drinks and chocolate if you are taking higher doses of caffeine tablets. This also includes any herbal, dietary, or prescription medications that contain caffeine.

Caffeine is not to be used as a substitute for sleep.

Caffeine use may alter blood sugar levels. Diabetes patients should more closely regulate their blood sugar while taking caffeine.

Caffeine is not recommended for use in children less than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been cOnfirmed.

If you are pregnant, discuss with your health care provider if caffeine is appropriate for your use.

Caffeine is excreted into breast milk. Consult with your health care provider about the risks of using caffeine while you are breast-feeding. Caffeine may cause side effects in your baby.

Popular FAQ

Fioricet contains 40 mg of caffeine, similar to a cup of tea. The following shows the average amount of caffeine in some common beverages: 8 oz of coffee: 80 to 100 mg of caffeine 8 oz green or black tea: 30 to 50 mg of caffeine 12 oz caffeinated soda: 30 to 40 mg of caffeine

Caffeine is not listed as having a drug interaction with the atypical antipsychotic medicine Vraylar (generic name: cariprazine). However, Vraylar may lead to restlessness, the feeling of the need to move around (akathisia), or trouble with sleeping (insomnia) in some patients. Call a health care provider right away if you or your family member has any of these symptoms while receiving Vraylar. Continue reading

Each tablet of Excedrin Migraine contains 65 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, 250 mg of acetaminophen, and 250 mg of aspirin. The dose for adults is 2 caplets or geltabs with a glass of water. Do not take more than two tablets in any 24-hour period, unless directed by a doctor. Continue reading

No, Maxalt does not contain caffeine. Maxalt contains rizatriptan benzoate, a medicine in a class of prescription drugs known as “triptans” used for migraine headaches. Continue reading

Caffeine has been shown to increase the effects of pain relievers like aspirin and acetaminophen for migraine headaches, increasing the effectiveness of these medicines by up to 40%. Continue reading

No, Maxalt does not contain caffeine. Maxalt contains rizatriptan benzoate, a medicine in a class of prescription drugs known as “triptans” used for migraine headaches. Continue reading

Caffeine has been shown to increase the effects of pain relievers like aspirin and acetaminophen for migraine headaches, increasing the effectiveness of these medicines by up to 40%. Continue reading

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