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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Drugs & Medications > Detailed Drug Information (USP DI) > Caffeine

Caffeine (Systemic)

Description and Brand Names | Before Using | Proper Use | Precautions | Side Effects | Additional Information


Category
  • Analgesia adjunct—Caffeine
  • Respiratory stimulant adjunct—Caffeine; Caffeine, Citrated
  • Stimulant, central nervous system—Caffeine; Caffeine and Sodium Benzoate; Caffeine, Citrated
Description

Caffeine (KAF-feen) belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. It is used to help restore mental alertness when unusual tiredness or weakness or drowsiness occurs. Caffeine's use as an alertness aid should be only occasional. It is not intended to replace sleep and should not be used regularly for this purpose.

Caffeine is also used in combination with ergotamine (for treatment of migraine and cluster headaches) or with certain pain relievers, such as aspirin or aspirin and acetaminophen. When used in this way, caffeine may increase the effectiveness of the other medicines. Caffeine is sometimes used in combination with an antihistamine to overcome the drowsiness caused by the antihistamine.

Citrated caffeine is used to treat breathing problems in premature babies.

Caffeine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, soft drinks, cocoa, chocolate, and kola nuts.

Caffeine powder and tablets are available without a prescription; however, your health care professional may have special instructions on its proper use. Citrated caffeine and caffeine and sodium benzoate are to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor. Caffeine is available in the following dosage forms:

    Oral
  • Caffeine
    • Powder (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Citrated caffeine
    • Oral solution (U.S.)
    Parenteral
  • Citrated caffeine
    • Injection (U.S.)
  • Caffeine and sodium benzoate
    • Injection (U.S.)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Caffedrine Caplets 1
  • Cafcit 2
  • Dexitac Stay Alert Stimulant 1
  • Enerjets 1
  • Keep Alert 1
  • Maximum Strength SnapBack Stimulant Powders 1
  • NoDoz Maximum Strength Caplets 1
  • Pep-Back 1
  • Quick Pep 1
  • Ultra Pep-Back 1
  • Vivarin 1

In Canada—

  • Wake-Up 1

Note:

For quick reference, the following caffeine products are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines:
1. Caffeine (KAF-feen)‡
2. Citrated Caffeine (SIH-tray-ted KAF-feen)†
3. Caffeine and Sodium Benzoate (KAF-feen and SOE-dee-um BEN-zo-ate)†‡
† Not commercially available in Canada
‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

   

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Caffeine: Before Using

Date Revised: 05/25/2000






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Page Last Updated: 30th May, 2006