Caffeine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Medicine Caffeine?

What is caffeine used for?

Caffeine or caffeine is a chemical found in coffee, tea, colas, guarana, mate, and other products. Caffeine is commonly used to increase mental alertness, but caffeine has many other uses.

Caffeine can be taken by mouth or through the anus in combination with painkillers (such as aspirin and acetaminophen) and a chemical called ergotamine to treat migraine headaches. Caffeine is also used with painkillers for headaches as well as to prevent and treat headaches after epidural anesthesia.

Some people use caffeine for asthma, gall disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), difficulty breathing in newborns, and low blood pressure. Caffeine is also used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Very high doses, often combined with ephedrine, are used as a substitute for illegal stimulants. Caffeine cream is used on the skin to reduce redness and itching in dermatitis.

Health care providers sometimes give caffeine intravenously for headaches after epidural anesthesia, breathing problems in newborns, and to increase urine flow. In food, caffeine is often used as a composition in soft drinks, energy drinks, and other drinks.

How to use this drug?

It is a good idea to take this medicine with or without food. As recommended by your doctor, usually once or twice a day.

The dosage is based on your health condition and the body's response to treatment. Your doctor will start you on a low dose and gradually increase the dose over several months to reduce side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions. Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

How to store this drug?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Caffeine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the caffeine dosage for adults?

• For adult drowsiness:

100-200 mg orally no more often than every 3-4 hours. Only for occasional use, not as a substitute for sleep.

Limit use of caffeine-containing drugs, foods, or drinks while taking this medicine because too much caffeine can cause anxiety, irritability, lack of sleep, and a fast heartbeat.

Maximum dose: 100-200 mg orally no more often than every 3-4 hours.

What is the dose of caffeine for children?

• Dosage for drowsiness in pediatric patients

> = 12 years: 100-200 mg no more than every 3-4 hours. Only for occasional use, not as a substitute for sleep.

Limit use of drugs, foods, or drinks that contain caffeine while taking this medicine because too much caffeine can cause anxiety, irritability, lack of sleep, and a fast heart rate.

• Dosage for premature apnea

For the treatment of preterm apnea in infants between 28 and <33 weeks of gestation.

Before initiation of caffeine citrate, the baseline serum level of caffeine should be measured in infants previously treated with theophylline, because premature infants digest theophylline to become caffeine. Likewise the baseline serum level of caffeine should also be measured in the newborn. This starts with mothers who consume caffeine before giving birth, because caffeine can enter across the placenta.

Initial dose: 20 mg / kg caffeine citrate infusion (more than 30 minutes) once.

Follow-up dose: 5 mg / kg caffeine citrate infusion (more than 10 minutes) or taken every 24 hours.

Note: the dose of basic caffeine is half the dose of caffeine citrate. (Example: 20 mg of caffeine citrate equals 10 mg of basic caffeine, which is citrate).

The serum caffeine concentration may need to be monitored periodically throughout treatment to avoid poisoning. Serious poisoning has been associated with serum levels greater than 50 mg / L.

With the exception of premature apnea, other causes of apnea (central nervous system disorders, lung disease, anemia, sepsis, metabolic disorders, heart disease, or obstructive apnea) are not recommended to give caffeine citrate.

Caffeine citrate should be used under supervision in infants with seizures or heart disease. The duration of treatment for preterm apnea in the placebo trial was limited to 10-12 days. Meanwhile, the effectiveness, safety and success of caffeine citrate for long periods of use have not been found.

In what dosage is caffeine available?

• Tablet
• Powder
• Fluid
• Cream
• Lotion

Caffeine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to caffeine?

Caffeine may be dangerous if taken by mouth in the long term and in high doses. Caffeine can also cause insomnia, restlessness, irritation of the stomach, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and respiration, and several other side effects.

Caffeine can exacerbate sleep disturbances in patients with AIDS. Larger doses can cause headaches, anxiety, chest pain, and hearing loss. Caffeine is dangerous when taken by mouth in high doses because it can cause an irregular heartbeat and even death.

Call the emergency department if your child has signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using caffeine citrate and call the doctor immediately if your child has any of the following serious side effects:

• Stomach pain, pain to the touch, bloating
• Constipation or diarrhea
• The vomit is green
• Blood in stool
• Unusual fatigue
• Seizures
• Uncontrolled muscle movements
• Fever, fast or slow heart rate

This is not a complete record of all the side effects that can occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice regarding side effects.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Caffeine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using caffeine?

• Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any unusual or allergic reactions to any of the medicines in this group of drugs or any other drugs. Tell your health care provider if you have other types of allergies such as allergies to food coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, pay attention to the label or composition on the packaging carefully.

• Children

With the exception of infants, there is no specific information regarding the comparison of caffeine use in children with use in other age groups. However, this drug is not expected to cause different side effects in children and adults.

• Elderly

Many drugs have not been studied for their specific side effects in the elderly. Therefore, it is not known if these drugs work in exactly the same way as in young adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in the elderly. There is no specific information regarding the comparison of caffeine use in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Is caffeine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research regarding the risks of using this caffeine drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Caffeine Drug Interactions

What medicines might interact with caffeine?

Although certain drugs are not recommended to be used together, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even though drug interactions may occur. In these cases, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions need to be taken. Tell your health care provider if you are using any other prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Drug interactions can occur with caffeine. Tell your health care provider if you are using any other medicines, in particular the following medicines:

• Quinolones (i.e., ciprofloxacin)
• Theophyllines
• Duloxetine
• Ephedra or Guarana
• Rasagiline
• Tizanidine

Can food or alcohol interact with caffeine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with caffeine?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces
• Worry
• Seizures (in newborns)
• Severe heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Panic attack
• Difficulty sleeping - caffeine can make this condition worse
• Liver disease - caffeine levels in the blood can increase, increasing the chance of side effects

Caffeine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbance
• Restlessness
• Crying excessively

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.