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Caffeine
mild CNS stimulant
- uses
- mechanism
- dose and half-life
- adverse drug reactions
- counter-indications and drug interactions
- metabolism and excretion
- dependency
Uses
- used for headache; many OTC pain medications contain caffeine
- 2
Mechanism
- CNS stimulant
- cardiac stimulant
- smooth muscle relexant (calcium mobilization)
- enhances gastric acid secretion
- enhances catecholamine release
- increases metabolic activity
- believed to antagonize adenosine receptors, leading to increased DA activity
- inhibits phosphodiesterase
- inhibition of adenosine in the kidney leads to vasodilation, increasing GFR and inducing diuresis
chlorogenic acid appears to reduce the incidence of diabetes mellitis (van Dam and Feskens, 2002).
Dose and Half Life
- absorbed within 45 minutes from both stomach and SI
Adverse Drug Reactions
short term
- overuse can cause nervousness, anxiety, muscle twitching, insomnia, alkalosis, and headaches
long term
Counter-Indications and Drug Interactions
Metabolism and Excretion
- half life of 3-4 hours
- metabolized by CP450
Dependency
- Caffeine withdrawal is common, including headache, irritiability, inability to concentrate, and stomach aches
Resources and References
van Dam RM, Feskens, EJM. 2002. Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lancet. 360: 1477–78.