Caffeine
OTHER NAMES(S): 1,3,7-Trimethyl-1H-purine- 2,6(3H,7H)-dione, 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, 1,3,7-triméthylxanthine, 3,7-Dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione, Anhydrous Caffeine, Cafeina, Caféine, Caféine Anhydre, Caféine Benzodate de Sodium, Caffeine Sodium Benzoate, Caffeine Anhydrous, Caffeine Citrate, Caffeinum, Citrate de Caféine, Citrated Caffeine, Methylxanthine, Méthylxanthine, Trimethylxanthine, Triméthylxanthine.
Uses & Effectiveness
Effective for
- Migraine. Taking caffeine by mouth together with pain relievers such aspirin and acetaminophen is effective for treating migraines. Caffeine is an FDA-approved product for use with pain relievers for treating migraine headaches.
- Pauses in breathing that may be followed by low heart rate and low oxygen levels in newborns. “Neonatal apnea” describes a condition in which infants have pauses in breathing that last for at least 15 seconds or that cause a serious drop in heart rate. This condition is common in very premature infants. Caffeine given by mouth or intravenously (by IV) can improve breathing in very premature infants with this condition. It also seems to reduce the number of episodes of apnea by at least half over 7-10 days. Caffeine citrate is approved as a prescription drug for treating neonatal apnea in premature infants. But caffeine does not seem to prevent this condition from developing in premature infants.
- Headache after surgery. Using caffeine by mouth or intravenously 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 pain relievers is effective for treating tension headaches.