Caffeine
General Information
Caffeine can be derived from natural sources or made synthetically. It is found in common food items such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, and chocolate. It has a bitter taste.
Common Name(s)
caffeine
Scientific Name(s)
Caffeine, 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine
Scientific Name(s)
Caffeine is available in oral dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, and strips. It is also commonly found in certain foods and energy drinks.
The maximum daily intake for healthy adults is no more than 400 mg per day, the amount found in about 24 ounces (750 mL, or 2 "tall" cups) of brewed coffee. Also, it should only be used on an occasional basis.
The maximum daily intake for people who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and breast-feeding people is 300 mg per day.
For children and adolescents, the maximum daily intake is based on weight (up to 2.5 mg per kg of body weight).
Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.
What is this product used for?
Caffeine provides temporary mild diuretic effects, which increase the amount of urine eliminated from the body.
Caffeine also provides temporary relief of fatigue, and improves endurance, motor performance, wakefulness, alertness, and cognitive performance. It acts as a stimulant. Caffeine is also used to treat tension headaches or migraine headaches when used in combination with analgesics.
It should only be used on an occasional basis.
Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.
What else should I be aware of?
Avoid using caffeine if you are hypersensitive or allergic to it and stop using it if you develop a reaction.
Caffeine can aggravate certain existing conditions. Please consult a health care professional if you have any pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, glaucoma, anxiety disorders, osteoporosis, or overactive bladder syndrome.
Do not take more than 300 mg of caffeine in a day when combined with food products that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, colas, cocoa, guarana, mate, and energy drinks.
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or able to become pregnant, consult a health care professional before using doses of over 300 mg per day.
In high doses, caffeine may cause anxiety, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, upset stomach, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, tremor, and headache.
Additionally, there may be an interaction between caffeine and the following medications:
- anticoagulants/antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin)
- beta-adrenergic agonists (asthma medications; e.g., salbutamol, terbutaline)
- antiepileptics (e.g., carbamazepine, ethosuximide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproate)
- cimetidine
- clozapine
- dipyridamole
- diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide)
- ephedrine
- estrogens
- fluvoxamine
- lithium
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., rasagiline, selegiline)
- nicotine
- pioglitazone
- quinolone antibiotics (e.g., norfloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin)
- riluzole
- stimulants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, epinephrine)
- verapamil
Talk to your doctor before using caffeine if you are taking any of these medications.
Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.
Source(s)
- Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products. Caffeine. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=53.
- Natural Medicines Database. Caffeine.
- Health Canada. Caffeine in foods. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/caffeine-foods.html.
