This section is from the book "Practical Materia Medica And Prescription Writing", by Oscar W. Bethea. Also available from Amazon: Practical Materia Medica and Prescription Writing.
Latin, Caffeina (Gen., Caffeinae)
Eng., Caffeine. A feebly basic alkaloid obtained from tea (Thea sinensis) or coffee (Coffea arabica). Also occurring in other plants or prepared synthetically. Coffee contains about 0.67 to 2.25 per cent., and tea about 3.2 per cent.
21/2grains (0.15 Gm.).
1 Musser and Kelly: Practical Treatment.
Eng., Citrated Caffeine. Composed of equal parts of Caffeine and Citric Acid. Form.-A white powder.
Odorless and a slightly bitter taste. Solubility.-Soluble in water or alcohol. Average Dose.-5 grains (0.3 Gm.).
Eng., Effervescent Citrated Caffeine. Contains 4 per cent. Caffeine.
60 grains (4 Gm.).
Eng., Caffeine Sodiobenzoate. A mixture of caffeine and sodium benzoate in equal parts.
A white powder.
Odorless and a slightly bitter taste.
Soluble in 1.1 parts of water; some caffeine separates on standing. Soluble in 30 parts of Alcohol.
By mouth 5 grains (0.3 Gm.). Hypodermic, 3 grains (0.2 Gm.).
To counteract the depressing effects of analgesics and antipyretics in the treatment of headache, neuralgia, colds, grip, etc. In the treatment of dropsy and cardiac weakness. An efficient antidote for poisoning by opium, alcohol and some other narcotics.
Caffeine is usually prescribed in the form of citrated caffeine either in solution or dry. The Citric Acid is used to render the alkaloid more soluble. It is not a salt, but a mixture. Caffeine is also rendered more soluble by the addition of such drugs as antipyrine, potassium bromide and sodium benzoate and salicylate, etc.
The following prescriptions show some frequently used combinations:
In the treatment of colds, etc.:
or | |||
Caffeinae Citratae........... | gr. x | 6 | |
Acidi Acetylsalicylici.................. | gr. xl | 2 | 5 |
Quininae Hydrobrom.................. | gr. xx | 1 | 3 |
M. ft. cap. no. xv.
Take 6 today and 4 tomorrow.
Instructions can be given patient as to time of taking, etc., as, 1 in the morning, 2 at noon, and 3 at night.
The following has been recommended for headache:
or | |||
Acetanilidi............... | gr. lxxij | 4 | 50 |
Caffeinae Citratae, | |||
Camphora Monobromatae........... | āā. gr. xij | 75 | |
Sodii Bicarbonatis............. | gr. xlviij | 3 | 00 |
M. ft. cap. no. xxiv.
One every half-hour until four (4) are taken.
In the treatment of chronic valvular disease:
or | |||
Caffeinae Citratae............. | 3ss | 2 | 00 |
Strychninae Sulph................ | gr.1/3 | 02 | |
Sparteinae Sulph............... | gr. iij | 20 |
M. ft. cap. no. xij.
One every four hours.
In the treatment of migraine:
- | or | ||
Caffeinae Citratae.................. | gr. v | 32 | |
Camphorae Monobromatae.......... | gr. xx | 1 | 30 |
Acetphenetidini................ | gr. xx | 1 | 30 |
M. ft. cap. no. x.
One every two hours until relieved.
 
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