Caffeine

  •  Caffeine is a bitter substance found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, kola nuts, and certain medicines. It has many effects on the body’s metabolism, including stimulating the central nervous system. This can make you more alert and give you a boost of energy.

Contents

Uses

  • Weight loss: Taking caffeine in combination with ephedrine(ephedra) seems to help reduce weight, short-term. Taking 192 mg of caffeine in combination with 90 mg of ephedra daily for 6 months seems to cause a modest weight reduction (5.3 kg or 11.66 pounds) in overweight people. This combination, along with limiting fat intake to 30 percent of calories and moderate exercise, also seems to reduce body fat, decrease “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and increase “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. However, there can be unwanted side effects. Even in carefully screened and monitored otherwise healthy adults, caffeine/ephedra combinations can cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
  • Headaches: Migraine headache. Taking caffeine by mouth together with painkillers such aspirin and acetaminophen is effective for treating migraines. Caffeine is an FDA-approved product for use with painkillers for treating migraine headaches. Headache following surgery. Using caffeine by mouth or intravenously (by IV) is effective for preventing headaches following surgery. Caffeine is an FDA-approved product for this use in people who regularly consume products that contain caffeine. Tension headache. Taking caffeine by mouth in combination with painkillers is effective for treating tension headaches.
  • Mental alertness: Research suggests that drinking caffeinated beverages throughout the day keeps the mind alert. Combining caffeine with glucose as an “energy drink” seems to improve mental performance better than either caffeine or glucose alone.
  • Asthma: Caffeine appears to improve airway function for up to 4 hours in people with asthma.
  • Athletic performance: Taking caffeine seems to increase physical strength and endurance and might delay exhaustion. It might also reduce feelings of exertion and improve performance during activities such as cycling, running, playing soccer, and golfing. However, caffeine does not seem to improve performance during short-term, high-intensity exercise such as sprinting and lifting.
  • Diabetes: Drinking beverages that contain caffeine is linked with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It appears that the more caffeine that is consumed, the lower the risk. Although caffeine might help prevent type 2 diabetes, it might not be effective in treating type 2 diabetes. Research on the effects of caffeine in people with type 1 diabetes is inconsistent. Some research shows benefit, while other research does not.
  • Gallbladder disease: Drinking beverages that provide at least 400 mg of caffeine daily seems to reduce the risk of developing gallstone disease. The effect seems to be dose-dependent. Taking 800 mg of caffeine daily seems to work best.
  • Low blood pressure after eating: Drinking caffeinated beverages seems to increase blood pressure in older people with low blood pressure after eating.
  • Memory: Taking 200 mg of caffeine by mouth daily seems to improve memory in some people with outgoing personalities and college students.
  • Breathing problems in infants: Caffeine given by mouth or intravenously (by IV) appears to improve breathing in infants born too early. It seems to reduce the number of episodes of shortness of breath by at least 50% over 7-10 days of treatment. However, caffeine does not seem to reduce the risk of premature infants developing breathing problems.
  • Pain: Research suggests that taking caffeine together with painkillers can reduce pain.
  • Parkinson’s disease: Some research suggests that people who drink caffeinated beverages have a decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease. However, this reduced risk is not observed in people who smoke cigarettes.

Benefits

  • Caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system (CNS), heart, muscles, and the centers that control blood pressure.
  • Caffeine can raise blood pressure, but might not have this effect in people who use it all the time.
  • Caffeine can also act like a “water pill” that increases urine flow. But again, it may not have this effect in people who use caffeine regularly.

Cautions

Caffeine is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth for a long time or in fairly high doses. Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and respiration, and other side effects. Caffeine can make sleep disorders in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) worse. Larger doses might cause headache, anxiety, agitation, chest pain, and ringing in the ears.
Caffeine is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in very high doses as it can cause irregular heartbeats and even death.

  • Children: Caffeine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately by mouth or intravenously (by IV), as well as when used in amounts commonly found in foods and beverages.
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Caffeine is POSSIBLY SAFE in pregnant or breast-feeding women when used daily amounts of less than 200 mg. This is about the amount in 1-2 cups of coffee. Consuming larger amounts during pregnancy or when breast-feeding is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. When consumed in larger amounts during pregnancy, caffeine might increase the chance of miscarriage and other problems. Also, caffeine can pass into breast milk, so nursing mothers should closely monitor caffeine intake to make sure it is on the low side. High intake of caffeine by nursing mothers can cause sleep disturbances, irritability, and increased bowel activity in breast-fed infants.
  • Anxiety disorders: Caffeine might make these conditions worse. Use with care.
  • Bipolar disorder: Too much caffeine might make this condition worse. In one case, a 36-year-old man with controlled bipolar disorder was hospitalized with symptoms of mania after drinking several cans of an energy drink containing caffeine, taurine, inositol, and other ingredients (Red Bull Energy Drink) over a period of 4 days. Use caffeine with care and in low amounts if you have bipolar disorder.
  • Bleeding disorders: There is concern that caffeine might aggravate bleeding disorders. Use caffeine with care if you have a bleeding disorder.
  • Heart conditions: Caffeine can cause irregular heartbeat in sensitive people. Use caffeine with caution.
  • Diabetes: Some research suggests that caffeine may affect the way the body uses sugar and might worsen diabetes. However, the effect of caffeinated beverages and supplements has not been studied. If you have diabetes, use caffeine with caution.
  • Diarrhea: Caffeine, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.
  • Epilepsy: People with epilepsy should avoid using caffeine in high doses. Low doses of caffeine should be used cautiously.
  • Glaucoma: Caffeine increases the pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes after drinking caffeinated beverages.
  • High blood pressure: Consuming caffeine might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect might be less in people who use caffeine regularly.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Caffeine, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.
  • Glaucoma: Caffeine increases the pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes after drinking caffeinated beverages.
  • High blood pressure: Consuming caffeine might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect might be less in people who use caffeine regularly.
  • Weak bones (osteoporosis): Caffeine can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. If you have osteoporosis or low bone density, caffeine should be limited to less than 300 mg per day (approximately 2-3 cups of coffee). It is also a good idea to get extra calcium to make up for the amount that may be lost in the urine. Older women with an inherited disorder that affects the way vitamin D is used should use caffeine with caution. Vitamin D works with calcium to build bones.

Interactions

MAJOR Interaction Do not take this combination:

  • Ephedrine interacts with CAFFEINE: Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. Caffeine and ephedrine are both stimulant drugs. Taking caffeine along with ephedrine might cause too much stimulation and sometimes serious side effects and heart problems. Do not take caffeine-containing products and ephedrine at the same time.

MODERATE Interaction Be cautious with this combination:

  • Adenosine (Adenocard) interacts with CAFFEINE: Caffeine might block the effects of adenosine (Adenocard). Adenosine (Adenocard) is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.
  • Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Some antibiotics might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these antibiotics along with caffeine can increase the risk of side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heart rate, and other side effects. Some antibiotics that decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin (Raxar).
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can decrease how quickly your body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine (Tagamet) along with caffeine might increase the chance of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and others.
  • Clozapine (Clozaril) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril) to get rid of it. Caffeine seems to decrease how quickly the body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril). Taking caffeine along with clozapine (Clozaril) can increase the effects and side effects of clozapine (Clozaril).
  • Dipyridamole (Persantine) interacts with CAFFEINE: Caffeine might block the affects of dipyridamole (Persantine). Dipyridamole (Persantine) is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Disulfiram (Antabuse) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with disulfiram (Antabuse) might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine including jitteriness, hyperactivity, irritability, and others.
  • Estrogens interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Estrogens can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with estrogens might cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects. If you take estrogens limit your caffeine intake.
    • Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluvoxamine (Luvox) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with fluvoxamine (Luvox) might cause too much caffeine in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
  • Lithium interacts with CAFFEINE: You body naturally gets rid of lithium. Caffeine can increase how quickly your body gets rid of lithium. If you take products that contain caffeine and you take lithium, stop taking caffeine products slowly. Stopping caffeine too quickly can increase the side effects of lithium.
  • Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with CAFFEINE: Caffeine can stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can also stimulate the body. Taking caffeine along with some medications for depression might cause serious side effects including fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, nervousness, and others.
    • Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.
  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with CAFFEINE: Caffeine might slow blood clotting. Taking caffeine along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
  • Pentobarbital (Nembutal) interacts with CAFFEINE: The stimulant effects of caffeine can block the sleep-producing effects of pentobarbital.
  • Phenylpropanolamine interacts with CAFFEINE: Caffeine can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. Taking caffeine along with phenylpropanolamine might cause too much stimulation and increase heartbeat, blood pressure, and cause nervousness.
  • Riluzole (Rilutek) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) to get rid of it. Taking caffeine along with riluzole (Rilutek) might decrease how fast the body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) and increase the effects and side effects of riluzole (Rilutek).
  • Stimulant drugs interact with CAFFEINE: Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heart rate. Caffeine might also speed up the nervous system. Taking caffeine along with *stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with caffeine.
    • Some stimulant drugs include diethylpropion (Tenuate), epinephrine, phentermine (Ionamin), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), and many others.
  • Theophylline interacts with CAFFEINE: Caffeine works similarly to theophylline. Caffeine can also decrease how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. Taking theophylline along with caffeine might increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.
  • Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can increase the risk of side effects for caffeine including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.

MINOR Interaction Be watchful with this combination:

  • Alcohol interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Alcohol can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with alcohol might cause too much caffeine in the bloodstream and caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.
  • Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with birth control pills can cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects.
    • Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluconazole (Diflucan) might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with fluconazole (Diflucan) might cause caffeine to stay in to body too long and increase the risk of side effects such as nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.
  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CAFFEINE: Caffeine might increase blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. Taking some medications for diabetes along with caffeine might decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
    • Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
  • Mexiletine (Mexitil) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Mexiletine (Mexitil) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking Mexiletine (Mexitil) along with caffeine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
  • Terbinafine (Lamisil) interacts with CAFFEINE: The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Terbinafine (Lamisil) can decrease how fast the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with terbinafine (Lamisil) can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heartbeat, and other effects.

References

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