Caffeine Citrate

Caffeine Citrate is a prescription medication used to treat breathing problems in premature infants. 

• Caffeine Citrate is available under various brand names: Cafcit 

Common side effects of Caffeine Citrate include:

• feeding problems; or
• skin rash

Serious side effects of Caffeine Citrate include:

• hives
• difficult breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• restlessness, jitteriness, or shakiness
• fast heartbeats
• more wet diapers than usual
• vomiting, stomach bloating
• blood in the stools
• weakness, drowsiness; or
• fever, chills, rapid breathing

Rare side effects of Caffeine Citrate include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Injectable Solution

• 10 mg/ml/20 mg/ml

Oral Solution

• 10 mg/ml/20 mg/ml

Tablets

• 200 mg

Capsules

• 200 mg

Lozenges

• 75 mg

Fatigue & Drowsiness

Adult dosage

• 100-200 mg orally every 3- 4 hours; not later than 6 hours before bedtime

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 12 years: Not recommended
• Children above 12 years: 100-200 mg orally every 3-4 hours; not later than 6 hours before bedtime
• Potential toxic dose below 6 years old: 15 mg/kg

Respiratory Failure

Adult dosage

• Caffeine and sodium benzoate: 250 mg Intravenous /Intramuscular once; may repeat as needed; alternatively, 500 mg in 1 L Intravenous over 4 hours; not to exceed 2500 mg/24hr

Neonatal Apnea

Pediatric dosage

• Load: 10-20 mg/kg Intravenous /orally once  
• Maintenance: 5-10 mg/kg Intravenous /orally once a day
• Potential toxic dose below 6 years old: 15 mg/kg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Caffeine Citrate has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • phenelzine
  • procarbazine
  • selegiline transdermal
  • tranylcypromine
• Caffeine Citrate has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • abametapir
  • bupropion
  • dipyridamole
  • givosiran
  • iobenguane I 131
  • ozanimod
  • regadenoson
• Caffeine Citrate has moderate interactions with at least 166 other drugs.
• Caffeine Citrate has moderate interactions with at least 47 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Allergy to Cafcit.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Caffeine Citrate  ?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Caffeine Citrate  ?”

Cautions

• Infants being treated with Cafcit may develop necrotizing enterocolitis (a condition where a portion of the bowel dies). Ask your child's doctor about this risk.
• Avoid giving the child food or drinks that contain caffeine, such as cola or chocolate milk.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Tell your child's doctor if you used caffeine during late pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Enters breast milk; use with caution