Caffeine

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a bitter substance that occurs naturally in more than 60 plants including:

Coffee beans
Tea leaves
Kola nuts, which are used to flavor soft drink colas
Cacao pods, which are used to make chocolate products

There is also synthetic (man-made) caffeine, which is added to some medicines, foods, and drinks. For example, some pain relievers, cold medicines, and over-the-counter medicines for alertness contain synthetic caffeine. So do energy drinks and "energy-boosting" gums and snacks.

Most people consume caffeine from drinks. The amount of caffeine in different drinks can vary a lot, but it is generally:

An 8-ounce cup of coffee: 95-200 mg
A 12-ounce can of cola: 35-45 mg
An 8-ounce energy drink: 70-100 mg
An 8-ounce cup of tea: 14-60 mg

What are caffeine's effects on the body?

Caffeine has many effects on your body's metabolism. It:

Stimulates your central nervous system, which can make you feel more awake and give you a boost of energy
Is a diuretic, meaning that it helps your body get rid of extra salt and water by urinating more
Increases the release of acid in your stomach, sometimes leading to an upset stomach or heartburn
May interfere with the absorption of calcium in the body
Increases your blood pressure

Within one hour of eating or drinking caffeine, it reaches its peak level in your blood. You may continue to feel the effects of caffeine for four to six hours.

What are the side effects from too much caffeine?

For most people, it is not harmful to consume up to 400mg of caffeine a day. If you do eat or drink too much caffeine, it can cause health problems, such as:

Restlessness and shakiness
Insomnia
Headaches
Dizziness
Fast heart rate
Dehydration
Anxiety
Dependency, so you need to take more of it to get the same results

Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others.

What are energy drinks, and why can they be a problem?

Energy drinks are beverages that have added caffeine. The amount of caffeine in energy drinks can vary widely, and sometimes the labels on the drinks do not give you the actual amount of caffeine in them. Energy drinks may also contain sugars, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

Companies that make energy drinks claim that the drinks can increase alertness and improve physical and mental performance. This has helped make the drinks popular with American teens and young adults. There's limited data showing that energy drinks might temporarily improve alertness and physical endurance. There is not enough evidence to show that they enhance strength or power. But what we do know is that energy drinks can be dangerous because they have large amounts of caffeine. And since they have lots of sugar, they can contribute to weight gain and worsen diabetes.

Sometimes young people mix their energy drinks with alcohol. It is dangerous to combine alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine can interfere with your ability to recognize how drunk you are, which can lead you to drink more. This also makes you more likely to make bad decisions.

Who should avoid or limit caffeine?

You should check with your health care provider about whether you should limit or avoid caffeine if you:

Are pregnant, since caffeine passes through the placenta to your baby.
Are breastfeeding, since a small amount of caffeine that you consume is passed along to your baby.
Have sleep disorders, including insomnia.
Have migraines or other chronic headaches.
Have anxiety.
Have GERD or ulcers.
Have arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat).
Have high blood pressure.
Take certain medicines or supplements, including stimulants, certain antibiotics, asthma medicines, and heart medicines. Check with your health care provider about whether there might be interactions between caffeine and any medicines and supplements that you take.
Are a child or teen. Neither should have as much caffeine as adults. Children can be especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

What is caffeine withdrawal?

If you have been consuming caffeine on a regular basis and then suddenly stop, you may have caffeine withdrawal. Symptoms can include:

Headaches
Drowsiness
Irritability
Nausea
Trouble concentrating

These symptoms usually go away after a couple of days.

Caffeine FDA Approved Drugs

ACETAMINOPHEN, ASPIRIN AND CAFFEINE [Acetaminophen^{C₈H₉NO₂} : Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂}]

OTC

250mg : 250mg : 65mg (oral tablet)

Perrigo^{Nov 26, 2001}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

ACETAMINOPHEN, CAFFEINE AND DIHYDROCODEINE BITARTRATE [Acetaminophen^{C₈H₉NO₂} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate^{C₁₈H₂₃NO₃C₄H₆O₆}]

325mg : 30mg : 16mg (oral tablet)

Larken Labs Inc^{Sep 30, 2016}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

BUTALBITAL, ACETAMINOPHEN AND CAFFEINE [Acetaminophen^{C₈H₉NO₂} : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂}]

300mg : 50mg : 40mg (oral capsule)

325mg/15ml : 50mg/15ml : 40mg/15ml (oral solution)

325mg : 50mg : 40mg (oral tablet)

Nexgen Pharma^{Nov 16, 2009}
Nuvo Pharm Inc^{Oct 28, 2016}
Mikart^{Jan 31, 2003}
Actavis Labs Ut Inc^{Nov 9, 1984}
Cnty Line Pharms^{Jan 10, 2017}
Hikma Pharms Llc^{Jun 12, 1995}
Lannett Holdings Inc^{Sep 13, 2012}
Mallinckrodt Inc^{Jan 24, 1985}
Mayne Pharma Inc^{Mar 17, 1986}
Vintage Pharms^{Aug 27, 2003}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

BUTALBITAL, ACETAMINOPHEN, CAFFEINE AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE [Acetaminophen^{C₈H₉NO₂} : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Codeine Phosphate^{2C₁₈H₂₁NO₃H₂O2H₃O₄P}]

300mg : 50mg : 40mg : 30mg (oral capsule)

325mg : 50mg : 40mg : 30mg (oral capsule)

Nexgen Pharma Inc^{Jul 19, 2012}
Hikma Intl Pharms^{Mar 23, 2001}
Vintage Pharms^{Apr 22, 2002}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

BUTALBITAL, ASPIRIN AND CAFFEINE [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂}]

325mg : 50mg : 40mg (oral tablet)

Hikma Intl Pharms^{Feb 16, 1984}
Pii^{Sep 22, 2016}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

BUTALBITAL, ASPIRIN, CAFFEINE AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Codeine Phosphate^{2C₁₈H₂₁NO₃H₂O2H₃O₄P}]

325mg : 50mg : 40mg : 30mg (oral capsule)

Mayne Pharma Inc^{Oct 30, 2015}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

BUTALBITAL, ASPIRIN, CAFFEINE, AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Codeine Phosphate^{2C₁₈H₂₁NO₃H₂O2H₃O₄P}]

325mg : 50mg : 40mg : 30mg (oral capsule)

Nexgen Pharma Inc^{Nov 30, 2001}
Stevens J^{Aug 31, 1998}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

CAFCIT [Caffeine Citrate^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂C₆H₈O₇}]

eq 30mg base/3ml (eq 10mg base/ml) (oral solution)

West-ward Pharms Int^{Apr 12, 2000}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

CAFERGOT [Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Ergotamine Tartrate^{2C₃₃H₃₅N₅O₅C₄H₆O₆}]

100mg : 1mg (oral tablet)

Sandoz^{Approved Prior To Jan 1, 1982}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

CAFFEINE CITRATE [Caffeine Citrate^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂C₆H₈O₇}]

eq 30mg base/3ml (eq 10mg base/ml) (intravenous solution)

Aurobindo Pharma Ltd^{Sep 22, 2015}
Exela Pharma Science^{Sep 21, 2006}
Exela Pharma Scs Llc^{Sep 21, 2006}
Fresenius Kabi Usa^{Jan 31, 2008}
Luitpold^{May 15, 2007}
Sagent Pharms^{Aug 29, 2012}
Sun Pharma Global^{Sep 30, 2009}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

ERGOTAMINE TARTRATE AND CAFFEINE [Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Ergotamine Tartrate^{2C₃₃H₃₅N₅O₅C₄H₆O₆}]

100mg : 1mg (oral tablet)

Hikma Intl Pharms^{Sep 17, 2004}
Mikart^{Sep 16, 2005}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

EXCEDRIN (MIGRAINE) [Acetaminophen^{C₈H₉NO₂} : Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂}]

OTC

250mg : 250mg : 65mg (oral tablet)

Glaxosmithkline Cons^{Jan 14, 1998}

Treating migraine pain and one or more of a cluster of symptoms characteristic of a migraine attack symptoms being selected from photophobia, phonophobia nausea and functional disability.

efficacy
4.3 (3)

side effects
1.0 (1)

danger
1.0 (1)

FIORICET W/ CODEINE [Acetaminophen^{C₈H₉NO₂} : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Codeine Phosphate^{2C₁₈H₂₁NO₃H₂O2H₃O₄P}]

325mg : 50mg : 40mg : 30mg (oral capsule)

Actavis Labs Ut Inc^{Jul 30, 1992}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

FIORINAL [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂}]

325mg : 50mg : 40mg (oral capsule)

Allergan Sales Llc^{Apr 16, 1986}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

FIORINAL W/CODEINE [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Codeine Phosphate^{2C₁₈H₂₁NO₃H₂O2H₃O₄P}]

325mg : 50mg : 40mg : 30mg (oral capsule)

Allergan Sales Llc^{Oct 26, 1990}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

LANORINAL [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Butalbital^{C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂}]

325mg : 50mg : 40mg (oral capsule)

Lannett^{Oct 11, 1985}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

MIGERGOT [Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Ergotamine Tartrate^{2C₃₃H₃₅N₅O₅C₄H₆O₆}]

100mg : 2mg (rectal suppository)

Horizon Pharma^{Oct 4, 1983}

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

ORPHENADRINE CITRATE, ASPIRIN, AND CAFFEINE [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Orphenadrine Citrate^{C₁₈H₂₃NOC₆H₈O₇}]

385mg : 30mg : 25mg (oral tablet)

770mg : 60mg : 50mg (oral tablet)

Sandoz^{Dec 31, 1996}

SYNALGOS-DC [Aspirin^C₉H₈O₄ : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate^{C₁₈H₂₃NO₃C₄H₆O₆}]

356.4mg : 30mg : 16mg (oral capsule)

Sun Pharm Inds^{Sep 6, 1983}

TREZIX [Acetaminophen^{C₈H₉NO₂} : Caffeine^{C₈H₁₀N₄O₂} : Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate^{C₁₈H₂₃NO₃C₄H₆O₆}]

320.5mg : 30mg : 16mg (oral capsule)

Wraser Pharms Llc^{Nov 26, 2014}

WARNING: Consult a licensed physician in the appropriate field for medical treatment and drug prescription. Do not self medicate.

WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Felter's Materia Medica on Caffeine

CAFFEA
...nd south latitudes of 56°. Common Name: Coffee. Principal Constituents.-The chief constituents are caffeine (C8H10N4O2. H2O); a volatile aromatic oil; caffeol is also present in minute quantity and u......s is due largely to the empyreumatic oil present in coffee; the nervous symptoms chiefly to the caffeine it contains. Therefore preparations from which the latter has been removed are just as like......duce stomach disorders as regular coffee. The stimulating effects of coffee are most largely due to caffeine. This alkaloid is one of the most rapidly acting cerebro-spinal stimulants and probably the...¹

GUARANA^PACU7
...nded seeds of Paullinia Cupana, Kunth (Nat. Ord. Sapindaceae), yielding not less than 4 per cent of caffeine. A shrubby vine of northern and western Brazil. Common Name; Guarana. Description.Cylindr......tter taste. Partly soluble in water and in alcohol. Dose, 15 to 30 grains. Principal Constituents.Caffeine, volatile oil, saponin, and tannin. Preparation.Specific Medicine Guarana. Dose, 10 to 30...¹

KOLA (Cola spp.)
...o 30 grains. Common Names: Kola, Kola Nut, Female Kola, Cola, Bissy-Bissy. Principal Constituents.Caffeine (theine) 3 per cent, and a small amount of theobromine, kola-red, and kolatannic acid. Prep......h cerebral anemia. Action and Therapy.The physiological action of kola closely duplicates that of caffeine and the caffeine-bearing drugs. It is, therefore, a remedy for muscular and nervous depress......ower over irritation, as there is not sufficient tannin in the drug to cause much astringency. Like caffeine it is useful in the neuralgia of debility, in migraine, smoker's heart, and cardiac irritab...¹

Physician's Materia Medica on Caffeine

ACETANILID (Phenylacetamide; Antifebrin.)
Analgesic, antipyretic, antiseptic; a powerful depressant to the spinal nerve centers. Used especially in neuralgic and rheumatic affections to control pain. in migraine, in febrile conditions accom panied with pain. in delirium tremens, in insomnia and as a remedy for obstinate vomiting. Externally it is useful as a surgical dress ing, resembling iodoform in its action. Incompatible with bromides and iodides and with spirit of nitrous ether. It is advantageously combined with Caffeine which dim²

ACETANILID COMPOUND
Acetanilid Compound. Special, N., B. & Co. is a combination of Acetanilid, 8 parts; Caffeine, 1 part. and Sodium Bicarbonate, 1 part. Acetanilid Compound, Modified, N., B. & Co., consists of Acetanilid, 70 parts; Caffeine Citrated, 10 parts; Sodium Bicarbon ate, 18 parts, and Sodium Bromide, 2 parts. Usual dose of either of these is 0.2 to 0.3 Grm. (3 to 5 grs.), repeated in two hours if needed.²

CAFFEINE
Alkaloid found in Coffee, Tea, Guarana. Kola and some other plants. Cerebral and cardiac stimulant, acting indirectly as a diure tic. Prescribed often for headache. especially in combination with acetanilid. Useful in adynamic conditions and in all forms of heart failure; a standard remedy in poisoning by opium and other narcotics. Dose of Caffeine or Caffeine Hydrobromide, 0.03 to 0.3 Grm. (96 to 5 grs.- or more. [Caffeine Citrated must be given in double the dose to produce the same effect].²

COFFEE^COFFE
The seed of COFFEA ARABICA, Lin. Stimulant to the nervous system; antidote to Opium and Morphine. Active principle Caffeine, q. v.²

GUARANA^PACU7
A paste prepared chiefly from the seeds of PAULLINIA CUPANA, Kunth. Astringent, nervine. deriving its medicinal value chiefly from the caffeine it contains. Prescribed in nervous headaches. Dose, 0.3 to 2.0 Grm. (5 to 30 grs.).²

KOLA
The seeds of COLA ACUMINATA. (BEAUV.) Schott. Nerve stimu lant and sustaining agent. astringent. A remedy in heart failure, in diarrhea and in depressed conditions of the nervous system. Ac tive principles, Caffeine, q. v. and Theobromine.²

TEA^CASI16
The leaves of THEA CHINENSIS, Lin. Nerve stimulant. anal gesic, analeptic, astringent; used as an antidote to opium. Active constituent Caffeine, q. v.²

Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Caffeine

LOCOMOTOR ATAXIA
If due to syphilitic infection antisyphilitic remedies such as potassium iodide and Donovan’s solution. If resulting from metal lic poisoning, iodides to promote elimination. Systematic exercises toregain faculty of coordinating movements. For relief of “lightning” pains, acetanilid, antipyrin, phenacetin, lactophenin, chang ing often from one to another of these and combining them with caffeine; cannabis indica. Solution Gold and Arsenic Bromide, N., B. & Co. may do good.²

NEPHRITIS, ACUTE
Prescribe at first aconite, calomel and sodium bicarbonate fol lowed by a saline cathartic; warm mucilaginous drinks, potassium citrate and Ze-an; Glyceroplasma over loins. If uremia is threaten ed, elaterium, Tonic Pilocarpine Compound, hot air baths to cause sweating. In later stages digitalis and squill, caffeine, compound spirit juniper, even cantharides in small doses.²

NEPHRITIS, CHRONIC
Special care must be taken to avoid exposure to cold. Alcohol must be interdicted and the diet must be carefully regulated so as to throw as little burden as possible on the kidneys. Albumin may often be diminished by nitro-glycerine, sometimes by cantharides. As diuretics, digitalis, squill and calomel, digitalis and caffeine or juniper berries and potassium bitartrate have their uses.²

NEURALGIA
For immediate relief, prescribe acetanilid, phenacetin or anti pyrin usually conjoined with caffeine and potassium or sodium... / For immediate relief, prescribe acetanilid, phenacetin or anti pyrin usually conjoined with caffeine and potassium or sodium bro mide, sometimes gelsemium or cannabis indica; locally, liniments of aconite or chloroform; menthol, chloride of m... / ...condition of the patient, and laxatives, antimalarial remedies or nerve tonics, like phosphorus, prescribed accordingly.²

PERICARDITIS
General treatment for Inflammation, q. v.; aconite; calomel and opium of special importance; for heart failure caffeine and alcohol are safer than digitalis, whose effects must be carefully watched. If ef fusion occurs, use hydragogues or aspirate.²

References

1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.

Ledgend of Medicine

MODERN MEDICINES

HOME REMEDIES

RANDOM DRUGS

RANDOM AILMENTS

Caffeine

Caffeine FDA Approved Drugs

Felter's Materia Medica on Caffeine

Physician's Materia Medica on Caffeine

Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Caffeine

References