Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 30, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Cafcit
- Lucidex
- No Doz Maximum Strength
- Revive
- Stay Awake
- Vivarin
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: CNS Stimulant
Chemical Class: Methylxanthine
Uses for caffeine
Caffeine tablets are used as an alertness aid to help you keep awake when you experience drowsiness or unusual tiredness or weakness. Do not use caffeine as substitute for sleep.
Caffeine oral solution is used to treat short-term apnea of prematurity when premature babies (infants between 28 and 32 weeks gestational age) stop breathing. Apnea of prematurity is caused by the baby's breathing centers not being fully developed.
Caffeine is available with or without your doctor's prescription.
Before using caffeine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For caffeine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to caffeine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of caffeine tablets in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of caffeine oral solution in premature babies.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of caffeine in geriatric patients.
Breastfeeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other ...
