CAFFEINE

Brand & Generic Names

Amaphen	Florinal
Anacin	Histosal
Anoquan	Kolephrin
A.P.C.	Korigesic
Aspirin Compound w/Codeine	Lanorinal
Aspirin Free Bayer Select	Nodoz
Maximum Strength Headache	Pacaps
Pain Relief Caplets	P-A-C Compound
Aspirin-Free Excedrin	Propoxyphene Compound
Caplets	Quick Pep
Cafermine	S-A-C
Cafetrate	Salatin
Caffedrine	Saleto-D
Caffefrine Caplets	Salocol
Citrated Caffeine	Scot-tussin Original
Dexitac	5-Action Cold Medicine
Dristan	Sinaplis
Dristan AF	Supac
Dristan AF Plus	Synalgos-DC
Esgic	Tirend
Excedrin Caplets	Triaminicin with Codeine
Excedrin Extra Strength	Trigesic
Caplets	Two-Dyne
Excedrin Extra Strength	Vanquish
Tablets	Vivarin
Fendol	Wigraine

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Stimulant (xanthine), vasoconstrictor

Uses

• Treatment for drowsiness and fatigue.
• Treatment for migraine and other vascular headaches in combination with ergot.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or liquid--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
Extended-release capsules--Swallow whole with liquid.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Constricts blood vessel walls.
Stimulates central nervous system.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Excitement, insomnia, rapid heartbeat (infants can have slow heartbeat), confusion, fever, hallucinations, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Rapid heartbeat, low blood sugar (hunger, anxiety, cold sweats, rapid pulse) with tremor, irritability (mild).
• Nervousness, insomnia.
• Increased urination.

Infrequent:

• Confusion, irritability (severe).
• Nausea, indigestion, burning feeling in stomach.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any stimulant.
• You have heart disease.
• You have active peptic ulcer of stomach or duodenum.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have irregular heartbeat.
• If you have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• If you have epilepsy.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have insomnia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Stomach ulcers.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Will cause withdrawal symptoms of headache, irritability, drowsiness. Discontinue gradually if you use caffeine for a month or more.

Others:
May produce or aggravate fibrocystic disease of the breast in women.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Caffeine-containing	Increased risk of overstimulation.
Central nervous	Increased risk of overstimulation.
Cimetidine	Increased caffeine effect.
Contraceptives*,	Increased caffeine
oral	effect.
Isoniazid	Increased caffeine effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Dangerous blood pressure rise.
Sedatives*	Decreased sedative effect.
Sleep inducers*	Decreased sedative effect.
Sympathomimetics*	Overstimulation.
Thyroid hormones*	Increased thyroid effect.
Tranquilizers*	Decreased tranquilizer effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Decreased alcohol effect.
Caffeine drinks (coffee,	Increased caffeine effect.
Cocaine	Convulsions or excessive
	nervousness.
Foods:	No proven problems.
Marijuana:	Increased effect of both drugs. May
	lead to dangerous, rapid heartbeat.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	Increased heartbeat. Avoid.
	Decreased caffeine effect.