PlanetRx - Learn More - Product Advice - Stimulants

Just remember that moderate use is best

The good ol' cup of coffee is the classic American stimulant, and its active ingredient, caffeine, is the only over-the-counter stimulant approved by the FDA. For staying awake for a long nighttime drive or an 8:00 a.m. exam, caffeine will do the trick. But it will not repel fatigue. Caffeine pills may or may not improve the precision of doing certain repetitive, exacting, or essential jobs, but they will definitely, in FDA jargon, "enable the user to perform whatever tasks are necessary even if he or she is drowsy or fatigued" and "last long enough for the task to be completed." Like any drug, caffeine is best used in moderation.

Keeping Alert About Caffeine

Caffeine can help keep you alert when you're drowsy or fatigued, but it can't actually prevent drowsiness or fatigue.
It stimulates the brain and the central nervous system.
When taken alone, caffeine is free of other coffee-extract irritants that can upset the head and stomach.
Caffeine pills take about 30 minutes to take effect.
Caffeine can be habit-forming, but in a way the FDA finds fairly innocuous. Sudden withdrawal, however, can produce severe headaches in some people.
Medicinal caffeine preparations should be used no longer than one or two weeks at a time.
Taking high doses of caffeine, or using stimulants over a long period of time, can cause nervousness, sleeplessness, irritability, and severe anxiety.
Stimulants bring temporary mental alertness but shouldn't be used as a substitute for sleep. Normal rest patterns are important.
Bear in mind that the 100 to 200 mg of over-the-counter caffeine you are taking is augmented by the caffeine in your usual food and beverages, so consider your total daily intake of the drug.

Warnings for Use

Avoid stimulants if you have heart disease, ulcers, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, epilepsy or related illnesses.
Seniors should avoid high doses of caffeine because they generally don't eliminate drugs as efficiently as young people.
Caffeine preparations should not be given to children under age 12 except under the guidance of a physician.
Pregnant women or nursing mothers should consult with their physician before using caffeine.
It's always best to consult your physician before combining caffeine products with other stimulants or drugs.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. It is commonly used as a stimulant to temporarily fight drowsiness and fatigue and keep people awake and alert. Caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system. As concentrations of this potent methylxanthine increase, stimulation takes place first in the brain's cortex (with doses of 50 mg to 250 mg). Larger doses (250 mg to 500 mg) stimulate the respiratory centers in the brain's medulla, and toxic doses (greater than 1,000 mg) affect the spinal cord. Caffeine-containing products should not be used for prolonged periods of time, as dependence and then withdrawal symptoms can occur.

Ingredient		Description
Caffeine
Caffeine	?	Only over-the-counter stimulant approved by the FDA. Stimulates the central nervous system, constricts blood vessels, increases the heart rate, and may increase respiratory rate. Can be habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, headache, anxiety, and irritability. Less commonly, vomiting, nausea, and decreased motor skills have been noted.

FDA-Approved Uses

Caffeine

Helps restore mental alertness and wakefulness when experiencing fatigue or drowsiness.

Recommended Dosage

Drug	Adults & Children Over Age 12	Max. Daily	Children Ages 6 to 12	Max. Daily	Children Under Age 6	Max Daily
Caffeine
Caffeine	100 mg-200 mg every 3 to 4 hrs	1000 mg	Not recommended		Not recommended

Warnings

Consult a physician before use or do not use if you have:

Allergy to caffeine or any component of stimulants
Anxiety
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Insomnia
Irregular heartbeat
Liver impairment
Stomach ulcers
Epilepsy

Or if you:

Are pregnant or a nursing mother
Are a senior; you may require a lower dosage
Are administering to a child or infant
Are drinking caffeinated beverages
Plan to use for an extended period of time or at a higher dose

Or if you are taking:

Beta-adrenergic agents, such as:

Isoproterenol (Isoprel): may increase isoproterenol effects

Cigarette smoking: may increase caffeine removal and decrease caffeine effects
Cimetidine (Tagamet): may decrease caffeine removal and increase caffeine effects
Clozapine (Clozaril): may decrease clozapine removal and increase clozapine effects
Disulfiram (Antabuse): may decrease caffeine removal and increase caffeine effects
Fluoroquinolones, such as:
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro): may decrease caffeine removal and increase caffeine effects
- Norfloxacin (Noroxin): may decrease caffeine removal and increase caffeine effects
Mexiletine (Mexitil): may decrease caffeine removal and increase caffeine effects
Oral contraceptives: may decrease caffeine removal and increase caffeine effects
Other caffeine products: will increase caffeine side effects
Phenylpropanolamine: may increase caffeine effects
Phenytoin (Dilantin): may increase caffeine removal and decrease caffeine effects
Terbinafine (Lamisil): may decrease caffeine removal and increase caffeine effects
Theophylline (Theo-Dur): may increase theophylline levels and effect