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.

Average Dose

21/2grains (0.15 Gm.).

1 Musser and Kelly: Practical Treatment.

Official Preparations.

Caffeina Citrata (Gen., Caffeinae Citratae)

Eng., Citrated Caffeine. Composed of equal parts of Caffeine and Citric Acid. Form.-A white powder.

Odor And Taste

Odorless and a slightly bitter taste. Solubility.-Soluble in water or alcohol. Average Dose.-5 grains (0.3 Gm.).

Caffeina Citrata Effervescens

Eng., Effervescent Citrated Caffeine. Contains 4 per cent. Caffeine.

Average Dose

60 grains (4 Gm.).

Caffeinae Sodiobenzoas (Gen., Caffeinae Sodiobenzoatis)

Eng., Caffeine Sodiobenzoate. A mixture of caffeine and sodium benzoate in equal parts.

Form

A white powder.

Odor And Taste

Odorless and a slightly bitter taste.

Solubility

Soluble in 1.1 parts of water; some caffeine separates on standing. Soluble in 30 parts of Alcohol.

Average Dose

By mouth 5 grains (0.3 Gm.). Hypodermic, 3 grains (0.2 Gm.).

Therapeutic Action

Stimulant, diuretic.

Uses

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.

Administration

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.:

Caffeina Caffeine 450

or

Caffeinae Citratae...........

gr. x

6

Acidi Acetylsalicylici..................

gr. xl

2

5

Quininae Hydrobrom..................

gr. xx

1

3

M. ft. cap. no. xv.

Sig

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:

Caffeina Caffeine 451

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.

Sig

One every half-hour until four (4) are taken.

In the treatment of chronic valvular disease:

Caffeina Caffeine 452

or

Caffeinae Citratae.............

3ss

2

00

Strychninae Sulph................

gr.1/3

02

Sparteinae Sulph...............

gr. iij

20

M. ft. cap. no. xij.

Sig

One every four hours.

In the treatment of migraine:

Caffeina Caffeine 453 -

or

Caffeinae Citratae..................

gr. v

32

Camphorae Monobromatae..........

gr. xx

1

30

Acetphenetidini................

gr. xx

1

30

M. ft. cap. no. x.

Sig

One every two hours until relieved.