About caffeine citrate
Methylxanthine respiratory stimulant
Used for
- Treatment of apnea of prematurity in premature newborns
Usual adult dose
Not routinely used in adults.
Usual dose in children
Premature newborns: 20 mg/kg caffeine citrate once, then 5 mg/kg every 24 hours; specialist adjustment may be needed.
Common side effects
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeding intolerance or vomiting
- Restlessness or irritability
- High blood sugar
Important warnings
- For newborns under specialist medical supervision
- May cause seizures or serious heart rhythm problems, especially with excessive exposure
- Monitor heart rate, breathing, and feeding
- Dose calculations must distinguish caffeine citrate from caffeine base
Pregnancy
Not applicable for the usual newborn use.
Breastfeeding
Not applicable for the usual newborn use.
Interactions
- Cimetidine and fluconazole may increase caffeine exposure
- Phenobarbital and phenytoin may lower caffeine exposure
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.