Caffeine - Benefits, dosage and side effects

2023 Author: Autumn Gilbert | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:39

Caffeine or caffeine is a substance used to relieve drowsiness, so that a person can stay awake. In addition, caffeine is also often found in drugs to relieve migraines

Although it can reduce drowsiness, keep in mind that caffeine cannot replace lost sleep.

Caffeine has a stimulant effect that affects the central nervous system. Caffeine can also be used in the treatment of respiratory arrest (apnea) in newborns (neonatal apnea). This condition is often found in premature babies.

Caffeine is naturally found in coffee, tea, cocoa (chocolate), or cola drinks

Caffeine trademarks: Alfidon, Bimagen, Bodrex migra, Cafmosol, Copara, Ericaf, Fasidol Plus, Hemaviton Drink, Kuku Bima Ener-G, Mirasic Plus, Mixalgin, Paramex, Oskadon, Panadol Extra, Paracaf Extra, Pat Po Tjin Tju San, Saridon

What Is Caffeine

Class	OTC and prescription drugs
Categories	Central nervous system stimulant
Benefits	Relieve drowsiness or relieve migraine headaches
Consumed by	Adults and children
Caffeine for pregnant and lactating women	Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Caffeine can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first.
Medicine form	Caplets, tablets, powders and injections

Warning Before Using Caffeine

Caffeine should not be consumed carelessly. Here are things you need to pay attention to before using caffeine:

• Do not use this medication if you are allergic to caffeine. Tell your doctor about your history of allergies.
• Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from heart disease, heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), hypertension, peptic ulcers, or mental disorders, including anxiety disorders.
• The use of caffeine in the treatment of neonatal apnea should be under the supervision of a doctor. Do not give drinks or foods containing caffeine to children under 12 years of age.
• Do not consume caffeine if you are on treatment with xanthine drugs, such as theophylline. Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements or herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• See your doctor right away if you experience an overdose, allergic reaction to medication, or more serious side effects after using caffeine.

Caffeine Dosage and Rules

The dose of caffeine is determined based on the age, condition of the patient, and the response of the patient's body to the drug. The following is the division of caffeine doses based on their intended use:

Goal: Relieve sleepiness

• Adults: 50–200 mg, every 3–4 hours.

Goal: Relieve migraines or tension-type headaches

• Adults: 100–250 mg per day. This drug is also often combined with ergotamine or paracetamol.

Goal: Treating neonatal apnea in premature babies

• Newborns: As caffeine citrate, the dose is 10–20 mg/kgBW via IV (intravenous) once a day. Maintenance dose 5 mg/kgBW per

The maximum dose of caffeine in general is 400 mg per day. This amount is equivalent to 4-5 cups of coffee. However, the effect of caffeine in a certain dose can be different for each person, because each person's sensitivity to caffeine can be different.

How to Use Caffeine Correctly

Consume caffeine as recommended by the doctor and don't forget to read the information on the drug packaging. Do not increase or decrease the dose, and do not use the drug for more than the recommended time.

Caffeine can be taken before or after meals. Take the caffeine tablet or caplet with a glass of water to swallow the caffeine tablet or caplet. Swallow the medicine whole, do not chew or crush it.

For caffeine in powder form, this drug must first be dissolved in 120-240 ml of plain water. Once dissolved, this drug can be taken like a solution in general.

If you forget to take caffeine, take this medicine immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.

Caffeine in injection form should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The doctor will inject caffeine according to the patient's condition.

Store caffeine caplets, tablets and powder in a closed container at room temperature, in a dry place, and away from sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

Interaction of Caffeine with Other Drugs

The use of caffeine together with other drugs can cause drug interactions. The interaction can be:

• Increased risk of side effects from theophylline, such as nausea, vomiting, tremors, insomnia, or seizures
• Increased levels of caffeine in the blood when used with MAOI drugs, such as isocarboxazid
• Reduce the effect of dilation of blood vessels (vasodilators) of the drug adenosine or dipyridamole
• Increased heart rate when used with phenylpropanolamine
• Decreased effectiveness of sedatives or beta-blocking drugs

Caffeine Side Effects and Dangers

There are several side effects that can occur after using caffeine, namely nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, difficulty sleeping, or frequent urination.

Check with a doctor if these side effects don't go away or get worse.

In addition, if used in excessive doses, caffeine can cause certain side effects, such as:

• Heavy vomiting
• Diarrhea that doesn't go away
• chest pain
• Severe dizziness
• Tremor
• Dehydration
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• palpitations or palpitations
• Blood pressure increases

Immediately see a doctor if you experience these complaints or an allergic reaction to drugs after using caffeine.